Photo: NHL Tampa Bay Lightning
Former Washington Capitals forward Jeff Halpern, who played with the team from 1999-2000 through 2005-06 and again in 2011-12, was part of a Stanley Cup winning Tampa Bay Lightning for the second consecutive year as an assistant coach. He had his day with the Stanley Cup on Saturday.
The day started with breakfast and a photo opportunity with the Cup in the backyard. After that, the party moved to the front of the house where there was a ball hockey tournament that the Lightning Community Organization organized.
Photo: NHL (Tampa Bay Lightning
This tournament was held on three different ball hockey rinks, constructed especially for this occasion, for which Tampa police had blocked off the street. Halpern’s family and friends made up five of the teams. To offer his thanks to the police department, Halpern invited the police to field an additional team for six teams in all. Halpern himself participated on one of the teams.
As the games took place, the Stanley Cup was moved to the front yard and was present there for the final rounds. The tournament winner was Team National League which included Halpern himself and other members of the Lightning’s coaching staff.
Photo: NHL (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Halpern’s day with the Cup continued after the tournament. He and the Cup took a trip across the bay to the Don Cesar Resort on St. Pete Beach. After spending time on the water, he and the Stanley Cup returned home for a private dinner.
Halpern was never drafted and joined the Capitals as a free agent for the 1999-2000 season, after playing four years at Princeton University. His full NHL playing career lasted through the 2013-14 season.
Halpern has worked in the Lightning organization since 2015-16 and became an assistant coach with the team after the conclusion of the 2017-18 season.
By Diane Doyle
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