Nobleton’s Nick Boynton was the first King Township Stanley Cup winner with the Chicago Blackhawks winning their first Cup in 49 years in June. Chicago beat the Philadelphia Flyers, four games to two. The following is a question and answer about Boynton’s memories about winning the Cup, as well as his future plans.

The Blackhawks defeated the Flyers, 4-3 in overtime to capture the Cup. Did you get a good look at the game-winning goal in Game 6? I think I was the only other person on the rink who saw the puck go in the net. It was hard to describe when I saw it go in and when you know you finally won it. It was a pretty amazing feeling. What was the feeling like when you raised the Cup over you head for the first time? It was a lot of fun. It’s also a lot of hard work and a lot of years or working at it and until it actually happens, it’s hard to believe it’s going to happen. I had my mom (Sharon), dad (Neil) and brother (Julian) in the building (the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia), so it was special because I knew that they were it the building watching. What was the celebration like after you and the Blackhawks won the Cup? After we won we pretty much partied in the dressing room until about 3 a.m. We didn’t get back to Chicago until 4:30 a.m. and then for four to five days after that we just kind of took around the city. We had a parade in Chicago with about two million people. It was just a surreal experience. The Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox were playing, so we got to go on the field, so that was neat too. You saw time in the minors, American Hockey League, before and after you were traded to the Blackhawks from the Anaheim Ducks. How satisfying was it to win the Cup given your difficult season? Four to five months ago I didn’t think I’d be in this position. It was a tough year, up and down, but it couldn’t have worked out any better. I got really lucky and Chicago took a chance on me and I was fortunate to get called up with a couple of injuries on their team. What was it like winning the Cup with Brian Campbell? It was good. We won the Memorial Cup 11 years ago (with the Ottawa 67’s in 1999) and to win the Stanley Cup together was pretty neat. We were on the ice together when the winning (Patrick Kane) goal went in, so it’s amazing how things work out. What does the Stanley Cup, with all the attention it brings, means to you? The Stanley Cup brings people wherever it goes. I’ve seen it before, but after winning it, this is the closest I’ve been to it. Who have been your mentors over your career? My family, my parents and my friends. They’re the people that support you and are their for you when things aren’t going well. My parents are probably the reason that I’m at where I am today. You’ve had a long 10-year National Hockey League career (Boston Bruins, Phoenix Coyotes, Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks). You compiled 33 goals, 136 assists in 554 regular season games. Six points (one goal) in 21 playoff games. What has the road been like for you? It’s been a long road, but hockey has been very, very good to me. I’ve got to live in a lot of different places, but this season couldn’t have finished any better in Chicago. Where do you see yourself next season? I don’t know what I’ll do next year or about playing because winning the Stanley Cup was what I set out to do and I’ve done it. I’ve achieved my goal, so I don’t know if I’ll come back or not. I’m happy with the way things have turned out. I’ve been very lucky. What’s your favourite city/town? Chicago, followed by Nobleton. That’s it for me.


Giving the Cup back to Nobleton Nick Boynton gave the Stanley Cup back to Nobleton with a celebration at the Dr. William Laceby Community Centre and Arena. He signed some autographs, such as for Jack ‘Attack’ Miller (top left) from NobleKing rep novice, and also shared the glory with his family farm, Boynton Brothers Sod Farms (top), as his friends and family enjoyed a pig roast (middle) with the Cup. Photos by Jon Yaneff