Published: July 11, 2009 12:23 am      

Stanley Cup visits Johnstown

The Stanley Cup was just the right size for 4-month-old Jason Jastrzab.

The 16-pound boy was all smiles as he actually sat inside the Cup while wearing his one-piece Pittsburgh Penguins outfit.

Jason, the son of Raymond and Jean Jastrzab of Lorain Borough, was hoisted onto the Cup. They were among more than 1,000 Penguins fans who celebrated the Stanley Cup’s return to Johnstown Friday evening at the Westmont homestead of Pittsburgh Penguins head equipment manager Dana Heinze.

The Penguins won the Stanley Cup on June 12.

The Cup has been in Johnstown four times before, the first being in 2004, when Heinze, who was then assistant equipment manager for the Tampa Bay Lightning, brought it home after the Lightning won the Stanley Cup.

Heinze, a Pittsburgh resident, said he brought the Cup to Johnstown on Friday to share it with the people who supported his efforts in hockey and with the community.

“I think it’s exciting to see how the Cup has touched so many people just by being Penguins’ fans,” he said, watching fans have their photographs taken with the Cup.

Cody Sabo, 13, of Westmont, said it’s awesome to see the Cup in person.

Scott Sroka of Pittsburgh, who grew up Westmont and played street hockey with Heinze on Luzerne Street Extension, said it’s an honor to see the Cup.

“It makes you feel real proud,” said Sroka, who brought his family to the event and who has season tickets for the Penguins.

Noah Bulas, 13, of Seattle, and a nephew of Heinze, said the Cup is awesome.

Kathy Hoover, of Southmont, likewise said the Cup is awesome.

“I’m very proud of them (Penguins),” she said. “They deserve it.”

Zack Trotz of Westmont said it’s great to have the Cup back where it belongs.

“It’s an awesome feeling,” he said.

Linette Blackburn of Westmont said seeing the Cup is incredible.

“You watch them all year and then you get to come three miles from home to see the Stanley Cup,” she said.

“The Penguins are an incredible team.”

David Rovansek, a Southmont native now living in Berlin, Md., with his wife, Marcy, said he was speechless when he saw the cup.

Rovansek said it was nice of his friend, Heinze, to share the Cup with the community.

The Cup will be on display at the home of former Penguins head coach and general manager Ed Johnston’s home in Pittsburgh today, Heinze said.