It’s so hard to describe. I mean, everybody says it, but really, it’s one of the greatest feelings in the world.”

That is how Derrick Pouliot describes the moment early in June, when he hoisted the Stanley Cup over his head as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The defenseman was in his hometown of Weyburn Wednesday, celebrating the Stanley Cup victory with his fans and supporters. Every player on the Penguins roster gets to spend a day with the Cup however they chose, and Pouliot wanted to give back to Weyburn.

Set up in Crescent Point Place, an estimated 2,500 people came through the door for the chance to congratulate Pouliot, and have their picture taken with the Cup. While there, many got a hamburger at the barbecue, and bought tickets for the autographed jersey raffle. The raffle and barbecue, sponsored by Pouliot himself, benefitted the Weyburn Minor Hockey Association, and KidSport.

In Weyburn for the first time, Pouliot’s girlfriend Amanda Kuhl was blown away by the community support. The sports reporter for Fox56 in Wilkes-Barre explained that the scene was similar to something she had experienced just over a month before.

“On a smaller scale, it was just like the celebration in Pittsburgh, with the amount of people that live in the city of Pittsburgh that came out for the parade and to celebrate the Stanley Cup there,” Kuhl explained as event wrapped up. Kuhl handled handing out the signed photographs to families who were in attendance at the event.

Pouliot remained by the Cup for nearly four hours, on his feet the entire time, to make sure everyone in line was able to get their picture. After, he was off to a private family function with the Cup.

Now, the Stanley Cup is off to Kelowna, BC, where it will spend the day with Pouliot’s teammate Justin Schultz. As for Pouliot, he will be spending some well-earned rest and recreation with friends and family over the next few days.