Fans scored a photo with NHL Hall of Famer, Roberto Luongo as the Montrealer was back in his hometown in the Saint Leonard borough on Wednesday with the Stanley Cup — at the arena named after him. “It makes us feel incredibly proud,” said Luongo’s wife, Gina Luongo. “This is a moment that we’ve waited for for a really long time.
” “It feels pretty surreal,” said Gina. “It’s pretty beautiful to see all of these, this memorabilia here of my husband.” The Florida Panthers goaltender retired in 2019.
And after 24 years in the NHL, Luongo finally got to lift the Stanley Cup last June – through his off-ice role, working hard in the Panthers front office. It was also a first for the team, their first Stanley Cup win — defeating the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 in Game 7. While he had some time with the Cup already, eating pasta out of it days after the big win, all were happy to share Luongo’s day with it here.
And some just had to be first in line. “My first hockey player that I’m gonna take a picture with,” said Alex Mitzinis, young hockey fan. “I’m very excited for that.
” “My second (son) is also a goaler,” explained Antonino Iacono. “So when he found out that Luongo was bringing the cup back to Saint Leonard, back to where he grew up, he was ecstatic.” “I always wanted to win the Stanley Cup,” added Alex’s son, Giuliano Iacono.
For Gina, being back at the arena with their two children, and seeing her husband play a friendly game with.