Flames’ Nazem Kadri brings Stanley Cup home for special celebration
Posted August 27, 2022 12:38 pm.
Last Updated August 27, 2022 11:05 pm.
Calgary Flames forward Nazem Kadri brought the Stanley Cup to his hometown of London, Ont., on Saturday.
Kadri, 31, became the first Muslim player to win the Stanley Cup this past season when he was with the Colorado Avalanche.
“I’ve been waiting my whole life for this,” Kadri told CityNews on Friday.
“Anytime you’re the first to do something is a big deal, so I’m just very honoured and privileged that I got to be that person.”
Nazem Kadri brings the Stanley Cup to the London Muslim Mosque.
This is believed to be the first time in history that the Cup has entered a mosque. @HkyNightPunjabi @NHL @Sportsnet pic.twitter.com/wRIZAm8hvv
— Amrit Gill (@AmritG) August 27, 2022
Mariam Abdulhamid and Charifie Kadri reppin’ their Lebanese heritage & watching their grandson, Nazem Kadri make history. #StanleyCup @HkyNightPunjabi @Sportsnet @NHL pic.twitter.com/74j9sjBHAA
— Amrit Gill (@AmritG) August 27, 2022
The Cup celebration began at the London Muslim Mosque before heading to Victoria Park. The route will also take them past the intersection where three generations of the Afzaal family were killed last June in what police said was a hate-motivated attack.
“In London, it’s very tight knit and anytime you get an opportunity to unite another family and do something of this magnitude to bring it to the mosque is a privilege for me,” said Kadri.
The former Toronto Maple Leafs forward had a career year in assists (59) and points (87) in his third and final season with the Avalanche, while his 28 goals were the second-best total of his career.
He added seven goals and eight assists for 15 points in 16 post-season games during Colorado’s title run.
Kadri signed a seven-year, US$49 million deal with the Flames last week.
