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Happy homecoming for Neely
By
MIKE ZEISBERGER, QMI Agency
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  Bruins president Cam Neely holds the Stanley Cup after his team defeated the Cancucks in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final in Vancouver, B.C., June 15, 2011. (MIKE BLAKE/Reuters)
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VANCOUVER - How do you like Cam Neely now, Vancouver?
First, you traded him away to Boston 25 years ago along with a first-round pick for forward Barry Pederson, paving the way for Neely's Hall of fame career as a Bruin.
Then, on Wednesday night, you saw the B.C. native hoist the Stanley Cup in his home province, gutting his former team in the process.
"I thought (the Stanley Cup) was going to be heavier, but then I thought maybe it was because I've got so much adrenalin pumping through my body," Neely said.
Neely made two trips to the final as a player but never had a chance to hoist the trophy. Now, as the team president, his dream has come true.
"It is pretty special," Neely said. "It is almost like coming full circle. This is where I started as a pro.
"It is really hard to believe. I feel beyond fortunate to have friends and family here, and to be here and be able to lift the Cup.
"If it wasn't going to be in Boston, this is not a bad place for me."
mike.zeisberger@sunmedia.ca
twitter.com/zeisberger
