GRAND FORKS — Jackson Blake’s day with the Stanley Cup is coming on Thursday.
Blake, who won hockey’s biggest prize with the Carolina Hurricanes last month, will bring the Stanley Cup to his hometown of Eden Prairie, Minn.
There will be a public event from 10 a.m. to noon at the Eden Prairie Community Center, where fans can see the trophy up close and snap a photo.
After the public event, Blake will take the Cup to a pair of private events in the Twin Cities.
The former UND player led Carolina in scoring during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, tallying seven goals and 20 points in 19 games.
Blake scored a goal and tallied an assist in Carolina’s 3-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final to clinch its second title.
Players and staff members of the Stanley Cup-winning team get their names etched on the Cup.
They also get to spend one day with the trophy wherever they choose. That tradition began with the 1995 New Jersey Devils.
The Stanley Cup began its summer travels two weeks ago. It was in Denmark last week and in Finland on Monday morning.
Blake is the first UND player to win the Stanley Cup since T.J. Oshie with the Washington Capitals in 2018.
Oshie brought the Cup to Warroad, Minn., where he won two state boys hockey championships, then to a private event in the Twin Cities.
T.J. Oshie brings the Stanley Cup to Warroad, Minn.
Eric Hylden / Grand Forks Herald
While most players bring the Stanley Cup to their hometowns, it has made its way to Grand Forks three times.
In 1999, Ed Belfour spent a couple of days with the Cup after winning it with the Dallas Stars.
He first brought it to his hometown of Carman, Man. A day later, he brought it to Grand Forks, where UND hosted a celebration at Hyslop Sports Center.
The Herald reported in 1999 that it was believed to be the first time the Stanley Cup had been in North Dakota.
Ed Belfour hoists the Stanley Cup above his head as he enters Hyslop Sports Center in 1999.
John Stennes / Grand Forks Herald
In 2006, Mike Commodore flew the Cup from his hometown of Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., to Grand Forks and spent an afternoon and evening hauling it around town.
Commodore stopped at Walsh Hall, professor Frank White’s Sociology of Sport class, the old Ralph Engelstad Arena and Judy’s Tavern.
Commodore won the trophy with the Carolina Hurricanes.
In 2014, Matt Greene flew the Cup from his hometown of Grand Ledge, Mich., to Grand Forks for an afternoon and evening.
Greene brought it to the Manvel Legion, Darcy’s Cafe, the Grand Forks Country Club, the Red Pepper and Judy’s Tavern. Greene won the Cup twice with the Los Angeles Kings.
Former UND player Matt Greene smiles as he brings the Stanley Cup to the Manvel American Legion for the first stop of his Grand Forks tour. Greene won the trophy with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and 2014.
Eric Hylden / Grand Forks Herald
Blake is the 14th former UND player to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.
The others are Craig Ludwig, Geoff Smith, Jay Caulfield, Troy Murray, Belfour, Tony Hrkac, Rick Wilson, Brad Bombardir, Commodore, Jonathan Toews, Greene, Carter Rowney and Oshie.
Blake has had a quick ascent in the hockey world.
In 2021, scored the game-winning goal of the state championship with Eden Prairie High School. He joined the United States Hockey League’s Chicago Steel after the prep season and scored the Clark Cup-winning goal.
Blake played two seasons at UND from 2022-24, finishing in the top three of Hobey Baker Award voting as a sophomore.
UND forward Jackson Blake skates in a game against Omaha on March 9, 2024, in Baxter Arena.
Mark Kuhlmann / UND athletics
Blake turned pro after his sophomore season and immediately stepped into the Hurricanes’ lineup.
This was his second full professional season.
Blake, 22, has an eight-year, $40.9-million deal with Carolina beginning with the 2026-27 season.
Carolina Hurricanes right wing Jackson Blake (53) lifts the Stanley Cup during the championship parade and rally in Raleigh on June 20, 2026.
James Guillory / Imagn Images
Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald’s circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.