Wednesday, July 12, 2006 · Page 15 Tatomir brings Stanley Cup to Essex Crowds wait for chance to pose with championship trophy BY TIM LAW Over 200 people filed inside Essex Memorial Arena July 9 to pose for photos with the Stanley Cup, one of professional sports' most treasured awards. Despite a late arrival due to flight delays from Raleigh, N.C to Toronto, the large crowd was not disappointed as the cup made its way to Essex via police escort from Highway 401. "Everyone was extremely anxious to see it get here," Essex Mayor Ron McDermott said. "We were supposed to start at 9 a.m., but didn't get things rolling until noon unfortunately. But I think even with the late start everyone was still pretty excited to see it." Admission to the arena was free. Most of the spectators brought their own cameras and some purchased professional photos to capture their moment with hockey's most prestigious award. Leamington native Wally Tatomir, who is the equipment manager for the 2006 Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, is responsible for bringing the cup to Essex. Before start"I spent a lot of time in this arena and I wanted to give back something to this town," said Tatomir, who played Junior B hockey with the Essex Panthers back in the mid 1960's. "I still have a lot of family and great friends in the area, and wanted to take this day and share it with them." Tatomir has enjoyed a 12-year career in the NHL as an equipment manager. He started that position in 1994 after the Hartford Whalers moved to Raleigh, N.C. in 1997. Prior to that he worked as an equipment consultant for the Los Angeles Kings and the `06 Detroit Red Wings. He also FOCUS SE worked for the Windsor AVAILABLE Spitfires,8the Detroit Junior "Loaners"wi thauto,air,CD,power Red Wings and Canada's windows,powerlocks,cruise,tilt national junior team in the 1987 World Hockey Championships. He is LANDSCAPING · SPRINKLER INSTALLATIONS · POST HOLES & DESIGN INC. DON'T DELAY - SELECTION IS LIMITED Did you know? $ 13900 20900 &taxes known as one of the most also happy the event coininventive equipment man- cided with the Fun Fest. agers in the league and "Being a small town like holds four patents on hock- we are, to have the cup here ey equipment. is really an amazing event "For Wally to bring it in itself," McDermott said. here and share his only day "This year's Fun Fest was with the cup with all of us another success and this is here in Essex is an incredi- just the icing on the cake bly kind and giving act on for the entire weekend." his part," McDermott said. Following the viewing at Essex residents Greg and the arena, Tatomir accomMary Jane Buhler, along panied the Stanley Cup to with their son Dillon, we the Essex branch of the among the first in line to Royal Canadian Legion for get their photograph with an invitation-only dinner the cup. afterwards attended by "It was amazing to actu- Tatomir's family and close ally be able to see it up friends. close," said Dillon, who All proceeds from the attends Maplewood Public dinner will go toward the School and also plays new arena building fund. minor hockey at the Pee Wee level in Essex. 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