Article content

Maybe today, of all days, we need a hockey story with a wonderful ending.

A few days ago, Chris Hayes, 71, answered the door at the family homestead in tiny Chapeau, Que., across the Ottawa River from Pembroke. It was late afternoon when he accepted the small parcel from a courier, sat alone near the fireplace and glanced at the photo of his late wife, Jo-Anne, on a shelf.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Egan: 46 years later, Stanley Cup ring arrives in the mail Back to video

“I said, ‘Honey, I think I know what’s in this package. Let’s open it together.’ ”

Inside the bubble wrap was a jewelry case and, inside the case, there it was: the Stanley Cup ring he never received for a fleeting stint with the Boston Bruins during their playoff run in 1971-72.

“World Champions” it said around the 18 diamonds, his name engraved on the inside — a thing of beauty, if 46 years late. “I said, ‘OK honey. I’m going to try it on.’ I spoke to her like she was there.” (Jo-Anne died, cancer, in 2011.)

“I’m a pretty laid-back guy, but I guess you could say I’m quietly ecstatic about it.”