Community Corner

Photos: Stanley Cup Visits Redondo

Escorted by Kings broadcasters Daryl Evans and Jim Fox, the Stanley Cup visits the Redondo Beach Cafe in South Redondo Beach.

Editor's note: A version of this article was originally posted at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday. It has been updated with photos and a story from the actual event.

Hundreds of people lined up outside the Redondo Beach Cafe on Wednesday morning, hoping to take a photo with the Stanley Cup during its two-hour visit.

The Kings beat the New Jersey Devils last month to win the Stanley Cup for the first time in the team's history. To celebrate, the cup has been trekking across the world

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Kings broadcasters Daryl Evans and Jim Fox, along with multiple officers from the Redondo Beach Police Department, escorted the cup from the civic center to the cafe, where it was set on a stage for all to see.

"It was unbelievable," said Chris Tsangaris, who owns the hockey-themed Redondo Beach Cafe with his brother. "It's incredible ... I'm pleased the cup's here."

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According to City Attorney Mike Webb, who served as the city's point person for the event, people began lining up early Wednesday morning for a chance at one of the 200 purple wristbands that guaranteed a photo with the cup. 

When he arrived at 5:30 a.m., "there were already people here," he said. "There were six people in line."

Though the last of the wristbands was gone by 7:30 a.m., it took only 45 minutes for those with wristbands to move through the photo line. In the end, more than 400 people probably had their photos taken, event officials estimated.

Broadcasters Daryl Evans and Jim Fox, as well as former Kings players Ian Turnbull and Nelson Emerson, signed autographs for fans.

In all, the event probably raised $4,000-$5,000 for the Kings Care Foundation, according to Kings Director of Community Relations James Cefaly.

"It's been an unbelievable turnout," he said.

Numerous city officials also attended the event—including Renee Michel, the executive assistant to the city council, who was praised for her work on the event; councilmen Steve Aspel, Pat Aust, Matt Kilroy, Steve Diels and Bill Brand; and Mayor Mike Gin—and many commented on how smoothly the morning went.

"It's been an outstanding event," Webb said. "it's more than I would have thought we'd been able to do."

Webb also noted that many of the fans were wearing jerseys with the team's older colors, such as purple and gold.

"These people have been Kings fans for a very long time," he said. "They're not just jumping on the bandwagon."

As part of the event, several people received commendations, and Evans and Fox received keys to the city.


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