Downtown Halifax streets fill for Nathan MacKinnon's Stanley Cup parade
Thousands of fans crowded the streets of downtown Halifax Saturday as Nathan MacKinnon brought the Stanley Cup to his hometown for a parade and rally.
Locals have been following his hockey career long before he joined the Colorado Avalanche. Back in 2013, MacKinnon took home the Memorial Cup while playing for the Halifax Mooseheads.
"It's an unbelievable feeling to bring it back to Nova Scotia. I actually had the opportunity to see him win it live down in Tampa Bay earlier this year," said one event attendee.
In an antique fire truck, MacKinnon and his family kicked off the event at noon with a parade, beginning at Scotiabank Centre. The route followed Spring Garden Road, South Park and Sackville streets, finishing off with a rally outside city hall.
"We are proud of our local boy who has a Stanley Cup to go with his Memorial Championship. It is going to be a great celebration," said Halifax Mayor Mike Savage, in a recent interview with CTV News.
The beloved hockey star sat down with CTV's Paul Hollingsworth after the parade where he shared just how special this moment has been for him.
"It's cool, you know? We don't have an NHL team here, but we have the Mooseheads and to be a part of the Mooseheads and win a championship with them, and come home and share all you guys, it's a dream of mine," said MacKinnon.
While speaking with CTV News on Friday, MacKinnon's former minor hockey coach said Saturday's events will be the final offseason chapter of a championship celebration that has lasted two months.
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