The 2010 Stanley Cup Champions returned to friendly ground early Thursday morning with a bit of extra luggage.
The Stanley Cup returned to Chicago for the first time in 49 years at about 4 a.m. Thursday, and its arrival along with the Blackhawks at O'Hare International Airport warranted a water cannon salute.
The Blackhawks brought the Cup home on a chartered jet that taxied to a private terminal at O'Hare just before four a.m. A pair of Chicago Fire Department trucks blasted celebratory arcs of water over the jet.
After the plane stopped, Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews emerged holding the Cup over his head. He walked down the steps, followed by his teammates and coaches.
"It was a crazy flight," said captain Jonathan Toews, who was named playoff MVP. "Nobody was sitting down. Nobody was relaxing. It was just our way of getting the party started."
The Blackhawks' official championship celebration will take place in downtown Chicago tomorrow morning.
Celebratory parade & rally starts Friday at 10:30 a.m.
Local
Ticker tape parade begins from Wacker and Washington and proceeds east on Washington to Michigan, then Michigan to Wacker.
A Championship Rally will begin at 11:30 a.m at Michigan & Wacker.
