You won’t believe how many folks showed up to MacKinnon’s Cup parade

Nathan MacKinnon’s dreams came true on Saturday, as he got to bring the Stanley Cup home to Nova Scotia.

The far-flung peninsula in eastern Canada hosted a parade for MacKinnon in the province’s capital of Halifax. The biggest city in the Maritimes is about 25 minutes from MacKinnon’s hometown of Cole Harbour.

Not only is the Colorado Avalanche superstar from the small town, but future Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby is too, and when MacKinnon first hoisted the cup earlier this summer, he said, referring to what he wanted from the celebration, “I’ve been the drunkest guy at two of his (Cup parties,) so he (Crosby) better be the drunkest guy at mine.”

“I am really happy for Nate. I know how much it means to him and his family,” Crosby said after the Avs won. “I have seen how hard he’s worked to achieve this and glad that he’s got rewarded and gets to experience everything that comes with winning. It’s special.”

One proud community 🥹#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/gcA8KhsFcO

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 20, 2022

MacKinnon took the Cup to his first ever hockey net before the parade.

Nate, his first-ever hockey net, and the Stanley Cup.

Not too bad 😎#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/OUbk6Xryaa

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 20, 2022

The lunchtime parade must’ve been the highlight as the former Halifax Moosehead celebrated through the streets.

Halifax really showed out for Nathan MacKinnon's #StanleyCup parade. 🏆

🎥: @HFXMooseheads pic.twitter.com/qZpE0wJJHu

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 20, 2022

Nathan MacKinnon looks elated. pic.twitter.com/ok1k65O4gz

— Peter Baugh (@Peter_Baugh) August 20, 2022

MacKinnon was joined by his Avs teammates, captain Gabriel Landeskog and Andrew Cogliano.

Wait, we know these guys!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/mSoUMP0DOb

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 20, 2022

“It’s awesome… it feels great to bring the cup home,” MacKinnon said on Saturday.

🏆 @Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon brought a very special guest to Wanderers Grounds this afternoon#CanPL I @HFXWanderersFC @StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/DjY2gZzGZH

— Canadian Premier League (@CPLsoccer) August 20, 2022

“I think the message Nathan is sending to all of us is: it’s possible, whatever your dreams are, you can achieve them,” local politician Tim Houston said. “From right here in Cole Harbour, right here in Halifax, right here in Nova Scotia. It’s a powerful statement.”

Much deserved fanfare for the one and only:

NATHAN MAAAACKINNON!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/QJVqISFkfo

— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) August 20, 2022

MacKinnon led the league in goals during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, scoring 13 while adding 11 assists during the Avs’ 20-game Cup run. MacKinnon is entering year 10 of his NHL career—all spent in Colorado—and he is in the final season of his contract. The over point-per-game player over 638 regular season games is already one of the best postseason players in NHL history and is further decorated with a Calder, Lady Byng and two All-Star appearances.

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