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Published in the Asbury Park Press 8/14/03
By MICHAEL AMSEL
TOMS RIVER BUREAU
POINT PLEASANT BEACH -- Devilsmania swept this seaside town last night, as thousands of hockey fans waited at Jenkinson's to catch a glimpse of the Stanley Cup and meet recently retired Ken Daneyko of the New Jersey NHL club.
Fans formed lines stretching for blocks along the boardwalk, hoping to get Daneyko's autograph or take a picture of the Cup; many were disappointed.
"We got here two hours ago (at 4 p.m.) and we're not even close to where they are located," said John Malanga, 18, of Wall. "The first people were here at 2 p.m. and the line is moving so slow. I'm probably going to pull out of the line soon, but I saw the Cup in Belmar in 2000 so I don't feel that bad."
Daneyko, who won three Cups with the Devils, appeared from 6 until 9 p.m. By 6 p.m., more than 1,000 people had already gathered at the amusement park section on the boardwalk, where Daneyko and the Cup were situated.
Lots of frustrated fans -- many wearing Devils' jerseys and paraphernalia -- bolted the line and pushed through the crowds to the small roped-off area, hoping to see the Stanley Cup.
Pat Keating of Tinton Falls bent to his knees, allowing his 9-year-old son, Michael, to stand atop his shoulders.
"Can you see it? Can you see it?" Keating asked, grimacing.
"Yeah, I can see it shining," Michael said. "It's real cool."
Michael said he was disappointed that he couldn't get near enough to get Daneyko's autograph.
"I brought my hockey stick and a jersey for him to sign," he said, wincing.
Malanga and a friend, John Calabrese of Wall, said they are ardent Devils fans and attended the decisive seventh game of the Stanley Cup finals -- for the NHL championship.
"It was easily the most amazing sporting event I've ever attended," said Calabrese, 18. "I saw the Stanley Cup once before, but I was hoping to see it again. Actually, I feel kind of gypped."
The New Jersey players' names will be engraved on the Cup, as have the names of players whose team won it in the past.
The tradition of the Stanley Cup began in 1892 when Lord Stanley, the governor general of Canada, purchased a silver cup measuring 7 1/2 inches high and 11 1/2 inches across for 10 guineas (approximately $50) to help establish a hockey championship.
The first winner of the Stanley Cup was the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association hockey club, champions of the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada in 1893.
Michael Amsel: (732) 557-5733 or [email protected]
--- This picture is facing away from Jenkinsons and is about 3/4 mile south of it. That's a LONG line.
By MICHAEL AMSEL
TOMS RIVER BUREAU
POINT PLEASANT BEACH -- Devilsmania swept this seaside town last night, as thousands of hockey fans waited at Jenkinson's to catch a glimpse of the Stanley Cup and meet recently retired Ken Daneyko of the New Jersey NHL club.
Fans formed lines stretching for blocks along the boardwalk, hoping to get Daneyko's autograph or take a picture of the Cup; many were disappointed.
"We got here two hours ago (at 4 p.m.) and we're not even close to where they are located," said John Malanga, 18, of Wall. "The first people were here at 2 p.m. and the line is moving so slow. I'm probably going to pull out of the line soon, but I saw the Cup in Belmar in 2000 so I don't feel that bad."
Daneyko, who won three Cups with the Devils, appeared from 6 until 9 p.m. By 6 p.m., more than 1,000 people had already gathered at the amusement park section on the boardwalk, where Daneyko and the Cup were situated.
Lots of frustrated fans -- many wearing Devils' jerseys and paraphernalia -- bolted the line and pushed through the crowds to the small roped-off area, hoping to see the Stanley Cup.
Pat Keating of Tinton Falls bent to his knees, allowing his 9-year-old son, Michael, to stand atop his shoulders.
"Can you see it? Can you see it?" Keating asked, grimacing.
"Yeah, I can see it shining," Michael said. "It's real cool."
Michael said he was disappointed that he couldn't get near enough to get Daneyko's autograph.
"I brought my hockey stick and a jersey for him to sign," he said, wincing.
Malanga and a friend, John Calabrese of Wall, said they are ardent Devils fans and attended the decisive seventh game of the Stanley Cup finals -- for the NHL championship.
"It was easily the most amazing sporting event I've ever attended," said Calabrese, 18. "I saw the Stanley Cup once before, but I was hoping to see it again. Actually, I feel kind of gypped."
The New Jersey players' names will be engraved on the Cup, as have the names of players whose team won it in the past.
The tradition of the Stanley Cup began in 1892 when Lord Stanley, the governor general of Canada, purchased a silver cup measuring 7 1/2 inches high and 11 1/2 inches across for 10 guineas (approximately $50) to help establish a hockey championship.
The first winner of the Stanley Cup was the Montreal Amateur Athletic Association hockey club, champions of the Amateur Hockey Association of Canada in 1893.
Michael Amsel: (732) 557-5733 or [email protected]
--- This picture is facing away from Jenkinsons and is about 3/4 mile south of it. That's a LONG line.
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