THUNDER BAY – The third time’s the charm.
Nipigon-born Jamie Kompon, who won Stanley Cup championships as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Kings in 2012 and the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013, got ring No. 3 earlier this year with the Florida Panthers, and on Wednesday, for the first time, celebrated with the trophy in Thunder Bay, the city where he grew up.
The 57-year-old’s day with the Cup included a stop at the Northwestern Sports Hall of Fame, a chance for family and local dignitaries to have their picture taken with Kompon and the instantly recognizable silver chalice.
It was a special moment, said Kompon, a McGill University grad who has spent time on the coaching staff of the St. Louis Blues and Winnipeg Jets, in addition to stints in Los Angeles, Chicago and Florida.
“It’s never about me. I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by great people and great players. This is the culmination of great people and great players, you get an opportunity to be a part of it,” Kompon said, hours before sharing the Stanley Cup with the public at an event at Port Arthur Stadium.
“When you’re a part of it like this, it’s unbelievable. To share it with where I grew up, and to share it with family and friends is the most important thing. They supported me. They’re a part of it. It’s not about me, it’s about us and I want everyone to enjoy it today.”
Kompon’s win was historic in many ways, most notably making him the only coach other than the legendary Scotty Bowman – whom he worked with in Chicago – to with Cup victories with three different teams.
Bowman led Montreal to six championships, Pittsburgh to one and rounded out his coaching career with three trophy celebrations in Detroit.
Kompon, ever humble, says he doesn’t mention himself in the same breath as Bowman, but nonetheless recognizes what he’s done is pretty special in the coaching world.
“Scotty is a legend, a founding father if you would. He should be on Mount Rushmore, type of thing. I’m just a piece. It is surreal. It’s unbelievable when you say it like that. Sometimes it doesn’t sink in and I never take it for granted,” Kompon said.
“I have a bond with all three of those teams and those teammates and all of those people and that’s so important.”
On hand to share the celebration was Kompon’s mother, Sandra, who made the trek from her Niagara Falls home to take in the festivities.
His mom, who was at home watching the Panthers decisive Game 7 win over the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup final, said she was thankful for everyone who showed up for the day-long celebration, family and friends travelling from as far away as California and British Columbia.
Sandra said her son doesn’t really like to be in the limelight, but he’s earned it.
She added she never dreamt when she first helped strap skates on her son that he’d one day be the owner of three Stanley Cup rings.
“It was stick and puck and one of those hockey games on the table and he just went crazy with it,” Sharon said. “I think when he first started skating, he didn’t give up. He just kept going and he wanted to do it. When he sets his mind to it, he does it. I didn’t think he would accomplish what he has, but we’re right behind him.”
Kompon and the Panthers, who lost in the 2023 final with Thunder Bay’s Eric and Marc Staal in the lineup, open training camp on Sept. 21.
