ASHBURN — As the Stanley Cup was decided on Monday night, a pair of St. Rita High School grads nervously awaited the outcome in seperate locker rooms.
Mike Gapski is a 1976 graduate of St. Rita in Ashburn and the head athletic trainer for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Rob Kennedy is a 1991 graduate of St. Rita and the assistant equipment manager for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The graduates of the all-boys Catholic high school at 7740 S. Western Ave. took time to pose for a picture and exchange a few memories during the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Blackhawks ended up winning the series on Monday night. The 2-0 victory marks the team's third Stanley Cup in six years.
Howard Ludwig says the two men have many similarities:
Gapski was on the ice for the celebration. He graduated from both St. Rita elementary and high schools. He was also inducted into the St. Rita High School Hall of Fame in April.
While at St. Rita, Gapski played both trumpet and tuba in the band. He earned his degree in physical education from the University of Illinois at Chicago where he served as both assistant athletic trainer from 1982-1985 and head athletic trainer from 1985-1987.
Gapski became the head athletic trainer in 1987 for the Hawks, working more than 2,000 NHL games. In his time with the team, he has been a part of Stanley Cup winning teams in 2010, 2013 and now 2015.
Meanwhile, Kennedy was spotted on the visitor's bench during the game. He played for the St. Rita's hockey team and also played flute and French horn in the marching band.
According to the Lightning's website, Kennedy is in his sixth year with the team. He previously worked for the Florida Panthers and spent two years with the AHL's Cleveland Barons.
Kennedy was also a member of the equipment staff for the 2012 NHL All-Star Game in Ottawa.
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