Stanley Cup visits Ottawa after day in Petawawa

The Stanley Cup visted Ottawa Wednesday after a day in Petawawa, Ont. and it was all for a good cause.

Colorado Avalanche skills and skating coach and Petawawa native Shawn Allard had his 24 hours with the cup this week. He brought the cup to his hometown on Tuesday and for the last few hours, brought it to the nation’s capital, raising funds for the Ottawa Heart Institute and CHEO.

The Bell Sensplex hosted a “Skate with the Cup” event from 8 to 11 a.m., giving fans a chance to get a skate in and get pictures with the Stanley Cup.

"We created this skate with the cup event to share it with the community here in Kanata and the rest of the community of Ottawa, in support of the Ottawa Heart Institute and CHEO," Allard said.

Allard is a former professional hockey player and the founder of Perfect Skating, an elite hockey skills and skating business with locations in Ottawa and the valley.

"The community support has been unbelievable. It’s been great. As you can see the lineup and the kids and everyone’s having fun with the cup. So it brings a lot of joy to our hearts."

Hockey fans were excited to have a chance to get up close and personal with the NHL's top trophy.

"You know, it’s hockey’s biggest prize and it’s right there in front of you. It’s been all around the world with all the different players and then you get to be there and get a picture and touch it," said Megan Sumner.

"Oh my God, it’s awesome. It’s just a dream come true just to see the cup," Alexandre Hietala added.

Perfect Skating says 800 people took part in the skate with the cup. 

"We were honoured to bring it to our great city and share it with our community! The smiles on people’s faces hugging, touching and embracing the Cup while skating around was something we will never forget! We are so humbled and very grateful for all of this," said Director of Operations Andrea Allard.

The event in Petawawa brought 1,200 people to the local civic centre, raising funds for youth sports and a new Zamboni for the arena.

CHEO Foundation Acting President Steve Read said it wasn’t just a fun day, but a good way to help the community.

"It’s really a fun day out there, seeing all the kids lineup and the adults line up and get their picture," said Read. "But what (Allard is) recognizing, what a great guy he is, he’s recognizing that these two health care institutions are really important to the community. And he’s choosing to support us with proceeds from the event."

The next destination for Lord Stanley's Cup is Montreal. 

--With files from CTV's Dylan Dyson.