Fans fill George Street for Newfoundland Growlers rally celebrating Kelly Cup win
Championship parade started at Mile One, ended with rally on George St.
The Newfoundland Growlers celebrated their new hardware with lots of fans in St. John's on Friday.
After winning the ECHL's Kelly Cup on home ice at Mile One Centre on Tuesday night, the team held a championship parade and fan rally in the capital city.
Riding in the back of a pickup truck with his parents by his side, Growlers player James Melindy said it was a really proud moment for all of them.
"Obviously being a first-year franchise and being able to win it in our first year is special, in front of the fans here in Newfoundland," he said.
This is a special experience for James Melindy. <a href="https://t.co/x9FeRMKOGl">pic.twitter.com/x9FeRMKOGl</a>
—@CStokescbc"It's awesome for people to take time out of their day to come and support us … it means a lot for the team," Melindy said, adding it means a lot for the players from this province and especially those from elsewhere.
"We've been proud of him before this, but this is the icing on the cake for us!" said his mom, Sharon Melindy.
Taking the cup to George St.
Featuring Growlers players, their families, and staff, the parade left Mile One at 5:30 p.m. and headed through downtown, culminating in a fan rally on the George Street stage. Fans filled the street as the team and the cup made its entrance.
Kelly cup lands on George street. <a href="https://t.co/WNlWaLBJ9Y">pic.twitter.com/WNlWaLBJ9Y</a>
—@CStokescbcMany fans wore their Growlers jerseys to show their team spirit, and their shared love for the game of hockey.
"This is my favourite parade, because the Growlers is my favourite ECHL hockey team and, just sayin', I play hockey, I'm going to Atom," said young Rene.
As part of Friday's celebrations, there was a large poster reading "Thank you Fans" for supporters to sign that will be made into a board and installed at Mile One Centre for the next season.
After beating the Toledo Walleye for the ECHL league championship in its first season, fans are already gearing up for what the Newfoundland Growlers will bring to the next professional hockey season.
The Growlers' big win was also featured on Coach's Corner with Don Cherry and Ron McLean during Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final Thursday between the St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruins.
"They're so happy. It's like winning the Stanley Cup [for the] ECHL," Cherry said.
"So proud of being Newfoundlanders too."
With files from Carolyn Stokes