Lombardi brings Stanley Cup home

SPRINGFIELD, Mass (WWLP) - It's been a long hockey tradition.  

The winners of the Stanley Cup get to take the trophy on the road, to bring it home to family and friends.  Ludlow's Dean Lombardi got his chance today. 

He returned home to western Massachusetts; carrying the Cup himself.   Lombardi grew up in Ludlow and played junior hockey for Gary Dineen. Now, he is the General Manager of the Los Angeles Kings and he came back to Baystate Children's Hospital as a Stanley Cup Champion.

"I'm very lucky to have run in to so many people and so many great friends in Ludlow and Western Mass.  This is a small way to try and give back," he said.

Patients and hospital staff got a chance to pose with hockey's holy grail. And for those who couldn't leave their room. Lombardi took the Cup to them.

"To come to a hospital like this, our athletes are top competitors, but the kids that go through these types of things are the real competitors and an inspiration to the players," Lombardi said.  "It's a small way of giving back to people who have given so much to me."

The cup will also be brought to the Polish American Club on East Street in Ludlow, where it will be during the afternoon hours until 5:00 P.M.