Lord Stanley’s Cup rides the Cape May-Lewes Ferry
A few lucky hockey fans headed to Lewes aboard the Cape May-Lewes Ferry got to see something they never thought they would in 2023: Lord Stanley’s Cup.
While it was a rough season for the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals, the Las Vegas Golden Knights were one of 12 teams to accrue more than 100 points during the regular season. Defeating the Florida Panthers in five games to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup, the Golden Knights earned the right to take the trophy wherever they please, and on July 17, it became the most famous passenger aboard the CMLF vessel, the Cape Henlopen.
Cape May-Lewes Ferry officials said on their Facebook page that passengers and crew never know who or what they might find aboard one of their trips across Delaware Bay. As part of the traditional tour the Stanley Cup takes across North America, the Golden Knights chose to bring their earned prize aboard the ferry to enjoy a ride from the Cape May terminal to the Lewes terminal. The Stanley Cup even had its own table reserved aboard the ship.
As word got around the ship and the buzz picked up on social media, passengers began to visit the iconic cup. The handlers laid an NHL tablecloth down and unboxed the trophy for the long journey ahead. Honored to be a part of the trophy’s travels, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Facebook page began documenting the ferry ride. In addition to allowing passengers to take photos of the trophy, livestreamed videos were posted to the page.
As the Cape Henlopen pulled into the Lewes terminal, Delaware River and Bay Authority Police Troop 3 began preparing an escort. There were officers riding the ship and waiting outside the elevator at the terminal to ensure safe transport from the ferry and into a vehicle. The handlers said the Stanley Cup would spend the night down south in Ocean View, as they loaded the trophy into their van.
