South Jersey Product Eric Robinson Brings The Stanley Cup To The Area

They came early, with a line of people extending well into the street waiting to get into Hollydell Ice Arena in Sewell. It’s not everyday a Stanley Cup champion comes home to share the most popular trophy in sports with the local fans.

Last week, Carolina Hurricanes left wing Eric Robinson came home to share his Stanley Cup triumph with the fans. This past season, Robinson, who hails from Bellmawr and graduated from Gloucester Catholic in 2013 before attending Princeton, was a major part of the Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup winning effort.

The 31-year-old Robinson, appeared in all 19 playoff games, contributing five goals and three assists. He was a plus/minus total was plus-5.

This came after totaling 12 goals and six assists and a plus-7 in 67 regular season games for the Hurricanes, who won their second Stanley Cup in club history, with the first coming in 2006.

The NHL allows anybody who has their name on the Stanley Cup one day during the offseason to bring this coveted trophy to where they grew up. 

So, for an hour and a half, Robinson took pictures with every single person in line, making the day of so many fans from South Jersey and beyond.

 “For me, that kind of meant taking it somewhere that means something to me and this is where it all started,” Robinson said afterwards. “I got 15 really close buddies here, we all grew up skating here and there are a lot of memories here.”

There was no doubt, that Hollydell would be the place to showcase the Stanley Cup, all 38 pounds of it.

“To bring it for kids who are currently playing here to see someone who played here and was able to win it, I think it’s important and meant a lot of me and hopefully meant something to some people too,” Robinson said.

People of all ages came to greet the Stanley Cup winner.

Doug DeHart brought five youngsters, his children and their cousins to meet Robinson.

"It was an awesome experience, so great for the kids," DeHart said. 

Winning the Stanley Cup is what every aspiring hockey player dreams up.

“It’s a crazy feeling,” Robinson said. “Obviously it is a life-long dream and it’s a lot of relief because of how hard it is,” he said. “When that final buzzer went, it was just a lot of excitement, joy and relief all at once and just a crazy feeling.”

Reveling in the success was his brother Buddy, a 2009 Gloucester Catholic graduate who played for four different NHL teams, last appearing during the 2022-2023 season with the Chicago Blackhawks.

“I am so proud of him,” Buddy Robinson said. “It’s just a great experience to be here with him and just to see him come bringing the Cup back to the rink that we grew up at playing and it’s kind of a full-circle moment.”

What Buddy Robinson enjoyed most was seeing how happy his brother was to share his success with others.

“He’s not a very in the spotlight guy,” Buddy said. “He likes to stay out of that, but to see him relish this and enjoy the moment that he deserved and he’s earned, it’s awesome.”

Miragh Bitove, a curator for the Hockey Hall of Fame, was among two people who accompanied the Stanley Cup to South Jersey. She has seen the Stanley Cup brought all around the world and the scene never changes when the fans get an up-close look and get to meet those who achieved it.

“One of the best things is seeing people’s faces light up the room when they see the Stanley Cup,” she said. “It’s such a happy experience to be around.”

She also enjoyed getting to be with Robinson and his family, which included parents Maureen and Bud.

“What a great, humble guy and family and it’s great to see a player like him giving back to the community,” she said.

After their appearance at Hollydell, Robinson and company took the Stanley Cup to Margate, fully taking advantage of his day in the sun.

Finally, Eric Robinson was asked before he left Hollydell what he would say to youngsters who would like to one day earn a Stanley Cup for themselves.

“…I’d say just enjoy the moment you’re at right now,” he said. “Try not to look too far ahead, but if you’re having  fun and you’re working hard, anything is possible.”

He certainly proved that during this past memorable season for the Stanley Cup champion Hurricanes.