Pascal Dupuis Ending His Career On A High Note

Pascal Dupuis’s career as a player in the National Hockey League was forced to come to an end under less than ideal circumstances. His hard fought battle to come back and play while managing several different bouts of blood clots. Through all of the personal strife, though, Dupuis is ending his career on a high note: as a Stanley Cup Champion.

Suiting up in his Penguins gear for the very last time to hoist the Stanley Cup, was a tough pill for him to swallow. The season (or even past few seasons) that he and his family have endured has been emotional to say the least, but he is certainly thankful for what his career as a player looked like.

“It was kind of mixed. It took me a while to put the jersey back on after the equipment was on. Just to let in sink in that I was putting in on for the last time and I was going on the ice and the cup would be there.,” Dupuis said about the emotions of putting on his jersey when the team won the Stanley Cup. “The last time I would put my jersey on was to basically lift the Stanley Cup and go out on top.”

Pascal Dupuis is nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for the second year in a row. The Masterton Trophy is awarded to the player who “who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey” per the NHL.

“I’ve said it every time somebody asks me. It’s definitely a special honor. It’s not an honor that you look for when you start your NHL career,” He said about his nomination. “It means you either had a bad season and came back strong or you got away from the game and you came back and showed that you can work through adversity and come back and be passionate about the game.”

Above all, Pascal Dupuis is someone that will always be involved in the hockey world. His love for the Penguins and for the game won’t be hindered by the obstacles that he has had to overcome. His two Stanley Cup wins will forever be a part of him and there’s not a more appropriate way for him to go out.

“It’s been a great ride. To not play, to come back, put the jersey on, lift the cup again and to be here today among these superstars – these great players- is definitely a big gift before I get out.”