Hundreds of fans come out for hometown Stanley Cup heroes

Hundreds of fans lined up in front of the SaskatchewanLegislative BuildingonSaturday morning to see two local NHL stars and the Stanley Cup.

TanjaIgnatiukgot in line early to see her boys,Jaden Schwartz and Tyler Bozakof the championship St. Louis Blues.

"I've been a loyal St. Louis Blues fan for 35 years," she said. "I don't know whether to laugh, cry or pee my pants. This is so thrilling!"

Ignatiukgot her picture with Schwartz, Bozak and the Cup, but said she was so nervous she could hardly speak when it was her turn.

"I'm sure they think I'm an absolute nutbar but I'm OKwith that! I've waited 35 yearsand to see two Saskatchewan boys bring it to our hometown, I'm elated."

Tristan Oremba has been a longtime fan of Schwartz, who hails from Melfort. Oremba said he remembers going out to Wilcox to see Schwartz play for the Notre Dame Hounds.

"It's really, really exciting to be here. I'm a huge hockey fan," said Oremba. "Those boys are awesome."

Oremba brought hockey cards to be signed and said he was happy to see the number of people supporting the players.

"We're just like these kids here growing up with a big dream," Schwartz said. "And Saskatchewan parents sacrifice for their kids to play sports and to play hockey and we just kept working, and it was a dream come true."

There are 14 Canadian players on theSt. Louis Blues, three from Saskatchewan.

Bozak, who had five goals and eight assists in the playoffs, graduated from Regina's Sheldon WilliamsCollegiate.

Premier Scott Moe stood on the legislative building'sbalcony with the two local stars.

"Players from this province include greats like Gordie Howe, Bryan Trottier,Bernie Federko, Theo Fleuryand now Brayden Schenn, Jaden Schwartz and Tyler Bozak," said Moe.

Moe made special mentionthat Bozak had to leave the Toronto Maple Leafs to win a Stanley Cup. That point was not lost on Christopher Johnston, a diehard Maple Leafs fan who showed up decked out in a Leafs suit.

Johnston was nevertheless excited, both for the players and for the experience to see the Cup.

"It's almost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, really, and the fact that Bozak's from Regina and he played for the Leafs, it's extra cool for me in that regard," he said.

Every player who wins the Stanley Cupgets a day with the trophy.Johnston said he was thankful the two local players spent some of their time sharing it with the community.

"Where else am I going to go to see it?" Johnston said.