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Parros brings Stanley Cup to family, friends in county
jtuscano@observer-reporter.com
SCENERY HILL - It has been at the bottom of the swimming pools of Mario Lemieux and Patrick Roy.
It has been to the Kentucky Derby, where winner Go for Gin used it as a feedbag.
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It has been present in numerous bars, including a few in Washington, sat quietly in a bedroom with an amorous couple, held peanuts, oysters and clams for a party, been disassembled and reassembled a few times and has been stolen more than once.
On this hot, summer night, the Stanley Cup was on display near a smoldering pig.
The National Hockey League's most precious and unique trophy was one of about 300 guests at Chuck Wonsettler's farm Friday evening, courtesy of nephew George Parros, who is a member of the Anaheim Ducks. The friends, family and well-wishers were on hand for the pig roast and to toast Parros.
Parros became eligible for a Night Out With Stanley after Anaheim captured the NHL championship this past spring. Parros is a winger on the team and, since the tradition began in the early-1990s, was able to gain possession of the Cup, complete with bodyguard, for a day.
"I never thought this would happen to me," said Parros, who was born in Washington County but spent most of his life in New Jersey. "The best part of this is that I realized a dream. Seeing everyone here is just great."
Parros arrived fashionably late and received a loud ovation when he emerged from the car holding the Cup above his head. While there were hundreds of people who wanted a piece of him and the cup, Parros headed over to Della Wonsettler, his grandmother. The honors for touching it first went to her.
"She is my biggest fan, the matriarch of our family and I love her to death," Parros said.
Della delighted the crowd when she leaned in from her chair and landed the first kiss of the night on the shiny metal trophy.
Chuck Wonsettler, Parros' uncle, made an impromptu speech and told the crowd that, "George has made us proud and he's honored us by coming here."
That was followed by a couple hour's worth of picture-taking, introductions, handshakes and, of course, a feast. The Cup was situated on a table to allow anyone who wanted to pose with it a chance to do so. Because the Cup had sustained some damages this summer, no one was allowed to hoist it over their heads.
"You have to appreciate these moments," said Parros, whose name and those of the rest of his teammates will be inscribed on the Cup next month. "You know these moments won't last long. I want to be aware of it and have fun."
Though Parros had limited playing time this season, he has attained cult status with Ducks' fans. He stands 6-5 and weighs 232 pounds, but the most prominent feature is his mustache.
"The fans have latched onto him," said his mother Lynne, who is Chuck Wonsettler's sister. "They sell T-shirts of him. For the mustache T-shirts, the proceeds go to Locks of Love. They also have one that says, 'Parros Nation.'"
Lynne taught ice skating at the Washington Park ice rink and also was an instructor in Wheeling, W.Va. She and husband Jim spent most of their lives in Morristown, N.J., and just recently moved to Redondo Beach, Calif.
Parros was an eighth-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings in 1998 and spent four seasons at Princeton University. He was waived by the Kings in 2006, picked up by Colorado, then traded to Anaheim. In 89 NHL games, he has three goals, three assists and 240 penalty minutes.
"When we won, I was looking for my family in the stands," he said. "Hoisting the Cup was unbelievable. It was everything you dream of as a kid, what you see on TV."
There is something magical about the Stanley Cup, a uniqueness that does not exist with any other major professional sports trophy in this country. No trophy is so readily available to players and fans than the Cup, and it's history is filled with interesting stories.
"Nothing surprise's me any more," said Walt Neubrand, who was guarding the Cup on this night. "Everyone is pretty respectful of it now."
Neubrand appears to have a dream job, traveling with the Cup every other week throughout the summer. He has been through most of the United States and Canada, and as far away as Finland, Sweden and Russia.
"I can tell you this," he says. "This is the best food I had all summer."
The legacy of the Cup has grown with each passing season and the stories of the escapades surrounding it have gained folklore status.
A married couple of 14 years swear the Cup brought them luck when they were trying to conceive. The woman, who doctors felt probably could not become pregnant, kissed the Cup at a party in 1996. She became pregnant shortly after and figured out that the conception took place the night of the party. Of course, her child was named Stanley.
The Cup was once taken to a hospital and shown to a 13-year-old waiting for a heart transplant. Doctors were concerned because the boy was depressed. The Cup brought a smile to his face and, a few days later, doctors gave him a new heart.
There also is a reverence associated to the Cup. Stefan Lefebvre is one of a number of players who had their children baptized in it. It has shown up at weddings, funerals and countless parties.
"Camp is coming up," Parros said. "I'll be getting ready for the season soon."
And if it's as much of a success as this past season, maybe they can all meet at the Wonsettler farm again next summer.
