Special Day with the Cup Event in Annapolis Celebrates the Most
Successful Navy Hockey Team in History and the Military’s Unwavering
Service to our Country
ANNAPOLIS, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 22, 2014--
Celebrating the most successful United States Naval Academy Hockey team
in Navy history, Discover partnered with the National Hockey League
(NHL®) today to surprise members of the Midshipmen with the Stanley Cup®,
the most revered trophy in professional sports. The Midshipmen, who
finished this season at 29-7-2 and ranked eighth nationally, were
treated to a celebratory reception this afternoon at McMullen Arena in
the Brigade Sports Complex. Navy hockey team members, who were holding
an informal scrimmage at the arena, were treated to a surprise visit
from the Stanley Cup. The surprise did not end there, as players from
the Navy Youth Hockey league, along with their families, were invited to
the arena to join the celebration where pizza and beverages were served
and the Navy youth hockey players had the chance to skate with some of
the Midshipmen players. Unbeknownst to them, they too would be getting a
visit with the Stanley Cup.
Mike Fox, the head coach of the Midshipmen, helped organize the surprise
from the beginning, and could not have been happier to see his team get
a chance to spend a day with the most coveted trophy in sports.
“I am so proud of the incredible season these young men had,” said Fox.
“For Discover and the NHL to recognize our accomplishment by allowing
the team a chance to spend a day with the Stanley Cup, is a perfect
ending to the season; especially for some of our players, who will be
leaving to serve their country in a few short weeks.”
Navy’s hockey team finished first in their division and made it to the
quarterfinals of the American Collegiate Hockey Association National
tournament. Two of their players, forward Tom Krysil and goalie Andrew
Mills were selected to play in the ACHA All-Star game.
“Discover is a proud supporter of our military and is always looking for
ways to give back to those who serve our country,” said Matt Towson,
senior manager of media relations and community affairs at Discover.
“When we learned of the Navy Hockey team’s incredible season, we knew we
had to bring the Stanley Cup to Annapolis and are grateful that our
relationship with the NHL could help make this happen.”
The Stanley Cup is the oldest and most recognized trophy in professional
sports. It was crafted in Sheffield, England in the late 1800s and was
first presented in 1893. It is the only trophy in professional sports
that is passed along from player to player in the summer their team wins
it. The Stanley Cup travels close to 300 days per year and has logged
more than 800,000 miles in travel since the 2000-2001 NHL season,
including trips to Russia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Finland, Japan,
Austria, Germany, Italy, England, Belarus, Ukraine, Belgium,
Afghanistan, Dubai, France, the Bahamas and the Arctic Circle. It is
made of silver and nickel alloy, weighs 35 pounds and stands at three
feet tall. There is only one Stanley Cup -- authenticated by the seal of
the Hockey Hall of Fame in the bottom of the Cup; this seal can be seen
when winning players lift the Cup over their heads.
Photos and b-roll will be available 24-48 hours following the event.
Please contact Matt Towson at matthewtowson@discover.com
to obtain these assets.
About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment
services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S.
financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become
one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company
operates the Discover card, America’s cash rewards pioneer, and offers
home loans, private student loans, personal loans, checking and savings
accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its
direct banking business. Its payment businesses consist of Discover
Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one
of the nation’s leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club
International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than
185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discoverfinancial.com.
About the NHL
The National Hockey League, founded in 1917, is the second-oldest of the
four major professional team sports leagues in North America. Today, the
NHL® consists of 30 Member Clubs, each reflecting the League’s
international makeup, with players from more than 20 countries
represented on team rosters. According to a Simmons Market Research
study, NHL fans are younger, more educated, more affluent, and access
content through digital means more than any other major professional
sport. The NHL entertains more than 250 million fans each season
in-arena and through its partners in national television (NBCSNk, NBC,
TSN, CBC, RDS, RIS, and NHL Network™) and radio (NHL Radio™, Sirius XM
Satellite Radio). Through NHL Green™, the League is committed to reuse,
recycle and reduce its ecological impact by pursuing sustainable
business practices and raising awareness of environmental issues among
its fan base. The NHL Foundation, the League’s charitable arm, raises
money and awareness for Hockey Fights Cancer™ and NHL Youth Development,
and supports the charitable efforts of NHL players. For more information
on the NHL, visit NHL.com.
NHL, the NHL Shield and the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup
are registered trademarks of the National Hockey League. ©
NHL 2013. All Rights Reserved.
Source: Discover Financial Services
Discover
Matthew Towson
773-454-5396
matthewtowson@discover.com
or
NHL
Nirva
Milord
212-789-2123
nmilord@nhl.com