DUNMORE — A throng of supporters cheered as Mike Joyce hoisted the Stanley Cup above his head while walking through the doors of Marywood University’s O’Neill Center for Healthy Families on Monday afternoon.
Joyce, a 2017 Marywood graduate, who serves as the head strength and conditioning coach for the two-time defending National Hockey League champion Florida Panthers, brought the hallowed trophy back to campus as hundreds of people waited in line to get their picture taken with it — part of a long-standing hockey tradition that allows each player, coach and staff member of the winning team to celebrate in their own unique way.
Seeing the line of students, hockey fans, family and friends snake through the building and out into the parking lot left an impression on Joyce.
“It makes me very happy to see the outpouring of support, not just for me but for the university itself,” he said. “It really means so much to me to bring (the Cup) back to Scranton and celebrate with the people who supported me up to this point.”
The Scranton native credits his education at Marywood University — where he earned a degree in exercise science — for putting him on a path for success and praised Shelby Yeager, dean of the College of Health Sciences, for helping him break into the hockey business.
“I received such a wonderful education here,” Joyce said. “I was given every opportunity, every resource imaginable here at the university. I really can’t thank Shelby enough. She brought an internship opportunity to me with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, and that’s how I got my start. I stepped into the strength and conditioning role there for five or six seasons and then I made my path to the Florida Panthers.”
Marywood University alumnus Mike Joyce, the head strength and conditioning coach for the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, enters the O’Neill Center for Healthy Families at Marywood with the Stanley Cup trophy.
A 2017 graduate of Marywood with a degree in Exercise Science, Joyce was given a “personal day with the Cup,” a long-standing hockey tradition that allows each player, coach and staff member of the winning team to celebrate in their own unique way. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
The Stanley Cup trophy was on display at Marywood University Monday. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Marywood University alumnus Mike Joyce, the head strength and conditioning coach for the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, talks with the assembled media at the O’Neill Center for Healthy Families at Marywood. Joyce brough he Stanley Cup trophy to the school. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Anthony Cerminaro of Wexford, originally of Scranton, poses for a photo next to the Stanley Cup Monday afternoon at Marywood University. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)
Michelle Valinski of Waymart, an adjunct lecturer at Marywood University and Florida Panthers fan, poses next to the Stanley Cup Monday afternoon on the college’s campus. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)
Dakota Scheetz of Mount Bethel and Victoria Daszynski wait in line to see the Stanley Cup Monday at Marywood University. (ROBERT TOMKAVAGE/STAFF PHOTO)
Show Caption
1 of 6
Marywood University alumnus Mike Joyce, the head strength and conditioning coach for the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, enters the O’Neill Center for Healthy Families at Marywood with the Stanley Cup trophy.
A 2017 graduate of Marywood with a degree in Exercise Science, Joyce was given a “personal day with the Cup,” a long-standing hockey tradition that allows each player, coach and staff member of the winning team to celebrate in their own unique way. (CHAD SEBRING/STAFF PHOTO)
Anthony Cerminaro of Wexford, originally of Scranton, a Pittsburgh Penguins loyalist, decided to extend his visit in Northeast Pennsylvania after learning the Stanley Cup would be in town.
“I came back for La Festa (Italiana), which is also a family reunion time for us,” he said.
Cerminaro, who previously lived in the same neighborhood as Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby, enjoyed getting an up-close look at the historic trophy.
“I was more excited than I thought I was going to be,” he said. “I have a daughter who lives in California, and she’s going to be very jealous I was able to get my picture taken with the Cup.”
Dakota Scheetz, 22, of Mount Bethel, donning a gold Nashville Predators jersey, stood out among droves of Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers fans.
He became overjoyed upon learning about the opportunity to see the Stanley Cup in person.
“I think this is unbelievable,” Scheetz said. “I was losing my mind when I first heard. I was shaking … hockey is my life.”
In his role as the Panthers’ strength and conditioning coach, Joyce is tasked with several responsibilities, from carrying bags to seeking out special treats during road trips.
“It’s really just supporting our guys, our champions,” he said. “Doing literally whatever it takes to make sure they’re recovered, they’re fed, and they’re ready to go the next night. All the little things really matter.”
As Joyce watched the final seconds tick off the clock during the team’s last championship win in June, he took a moment to soak in the feeling.
“It’s completely surreal,” he said. “You almost have to pinch yourself because you feel like you’re dreaming.”