"Big-Buff" Brings Cup Home to Roseau
August,15 2010
With the Stanley Cup on his left, his family on his
right and about 2,000 Roseau hockey fans in front
of him, it was too much. “I want to thank you all
for coming out,” Byfuglien said, his voice cracking.
He then put down the microphone, turned away
from the audience in Memorial Arena and let the
tears flow. He tried for a few moments to compose
himself, then gave up and continued with tears in
his eye. “This means a lot to me,” he said. “I
worked hard to bring it back to you. I hope you
guys enjoy it.”
Many in the crowd also teared up during the day’s
most touching moment. The others started
chanting “Big Buff” at their hometown hero, who
helped the Chicago Blackhawks win hockey’s
biggest prize in June. This was Big Buff’s big day
with the Cup. Every player on the championship
team gets at least one. But Byfuglien made it clear
that Sunday was about much more than just him.
It was about the town of Roseau, too. It had never
seen the 117-year-old trophy until the late Sunday
morning, when a charter flight from Chicago
touched down in Warroad with the Cup aboard.
Byfuglien was at the airport to pick it up.
A couple of hours later, a fire truck led a parade
down Main Avenue. The streets were lined on
both sides for five blocks, about half of the crowd
wearing Byfuglien jerseys or custom made
Byfuglien Trucking t-shirts, that were produced by
the family business for the occasion. Byfuglien sat
in a red convertible next to the Cup, holding it
above his head at times for pictures. A police car
trailed the convertible. The parade route led to
Roseau's hallowed hockey grounds at Memorial
Arena, where the crowd filed in and listened to
an introduction from Roseau mayor Jeff Pelowski,
who declared it “Dustin Byfuglien Week.”
Then, the lights turned off, the speakers blared
“Chelsea Dagger” (the Blackhawks’ goal song),
the Zamboni door opened, and Byfuglien walked
out with the Cup over his head. Minutes later, he gave his
teary address. “I knew the family was going to love this,”
his mother, Cheryl, said. “I knew the crowd and the city
would love it. I just didn’t know it would be this emotional.
“I’m glad we did this. We knew we would. We always
knew we would bring this home.” The only other Roseau
product to win the Cup was Neal Broten in 1995. He
celebrated at his ranch in Wisconsin, though.
“Being the first guy to do it means a lot,” Byfuglien said.
“This wasn’t just for me, it was more for everyone else,
too. Being in front of your family and friends and bringing
it back into your hometown. . . it just means so much.”
Byfuglien was supposed to sign autographs and take
pictures with the Cup until 5 p.m., but he stayed until 6,
making sure everyone got their photo with the Cup with
8x10 photos being sold and autographed for a $15 fee
with 100% of the proceeds donated back to Roseau Youth
Hockey.
After Memorial Arena cleared out, Byfuglien carried the
Cup out to his Maserati and drove to the Byfuglien ranch on
Highway 11. Hundreds of guests were there by the time the
Cup showed up. There were concessions available, as well
as many, many kegs where the "party-with-the-cup"
continued all night with family and friends enjoying music from one of Dustin's favorite band's that were flown in from Chicago for the occasion.
Congratulations again Dustin, and congratulations Roseau!