LEWISTON, NY — Rick Dudley has dedicated his life to hockey and, on Tuesday, he wanted to give back by sharing the Stanley Cup with the community he calls home.

Dudley, a senior advisor to Bill Zito, the general manager of the Florida Panthers, proudly presented the revered trophy at Griffon Brewery and Gastropub, a picturesque venue with a breathtaking view of the Niagara River. The Cup found its place on a table, inviting fans to capture cherished moments alongside both Dudley and the iconic trophy. As excitement built, eager fans began arriving well in advance of the scheduled festivities, resulting in a growing line that snaked its way from inside the venue, out the door, and along the sidewalk.

Dudley expressed his joy in being able to contribute, stating, “Having spent the majority of my life here, I’m genuinely grateful for the opportunity to finally give back to this community.”

Among the many fans dressed in Buffalo Sabres attire, quite a few Panthers fans of all ages patiently awaited their turn.

Dudley explained that winning it opens your eyes to the true iconic nature of [it]. The events and occurrences surrounding it leave people in a state of awe.

The Panthers have enjoyed the presence of the 75-year-old for four seasons, marking his return to the organization after previously serving as GM from 2002-2004. With an extensive NHL front office background, he has held positions with the Carolina Hurricanes, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Atlanta Thrashers, Chicago Blackhawks, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Ottawa Senators.

After leading the Sabres for three seasons, Dudley transitioned into a managerial role. However, he returned to coaching midway through his initial tenure in Florida, taking over as a midseason replacement.

Over the course of six seasons, he participated in a total of 309 NHL games, with the majority of them being played for the Buffalo team (279 games). Additionally, he played 30 games for the original Winnipeg Jets.

Despite winning championships in other levels and sports, he has never been able to secure the coveted Stanley Cup. His nearest brush with victory occurred in 1975 when he played for the Sabres, who unfortunately lost in six games during the final against the Philadelphia Flyers.

“Since the age of five or whenever you start contemplating, if you’re engaged in hockey, the Stanley Cup naturally becomes a constant thought,” Dudley expressed. “Ever since I held a hockey stick, I must have imagined scoring the game-winning goal in the Stanley Cup a million times. But now, being an actual part of it, it holds an indescribable significance. I can’t put it into words.”

Dudley admitted he was nervous as Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final went on until Sam Reinhart scored the go-ahead goal with under five minutes to go in the third period. He said it was a “sense of satisfaction” when the final horn sounded.

Then came the moment when he finally got to hoist the Cup. Zito had former NHL forward Patric Hornqvist, now a consultant with the team, bring Dudley over so the GM could hand it to him.

“He was fully aware of his actions,” Dudley remarked. “He anticipated that I would appear on national television. It was truly remarkable. My phone was flooded with a thousand text messages from individuals who had witnessed my presence. It was an extraordinary experience. The fact that ‘Billy’ showed such concern for me being prominently featured, it’s quite impressive.”