MURRAY HARBOUR, P.E.I. (CP) -- Lobster fisherman Glen Richards says he needs reminding once in a while that the success of his National Hockey League superstar son is real.

His latest reality check comes Tuesday when the rural community of Murray Harbour -- population 356 -- hosts the arrival of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brad Richards with the NHL's Holy Grail -- the Stanley Cup.

"It's always just a dream, but when it happens you kind of hit yourself," Brad's father said Monday from his home on P.E.I.'s eastern shore.

"You just dream about these things. You never really think they're going to happen."

The reality of Richards' achievements and the pride his former neighbours feel is on display in just about every corner of this little fishing community.

Billboards and signs with pictures of the Lightning's No. 19 holding the Stanley Cup over his head are displayed on the main roads leading into and out of the village.

A banner heralding the Island's "favourite son" is strung across Main Street.

There's even a curbside flowerbed that spells out the name "BRAD."

The elder Richards confessed his son's success in the 2003-04 season was beyond his expectations.

Aside from being part of a Stanley Cup winning team, Richards also scooped up the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP and the Lady Byng, as professional hockey's most gentlemanly player.

Now in his fourth season, Richards made a name for himself during the playoffs with 10 goals, including seven game-winners.

A few weeks ago, he was also named to Team Canada's roster for the upcoming World Cup of Hockey.

Plans to celebrate his achievements were hatched in June, shortly after the Lightning's 2-1 win over the Calgary Flames in Game 7 of the cup final.

"We're very proud of Brad," said P.E.I Premier Pat Binns, who lives just a short distance from the 24-year-old's home.

"His own personal achievements are outstanding. We're watching Brad going almost as high as a player can go in the NHL and it's very exciting."

Glen Richards, a fourth-generation fisherman in what is normally a sleepy corner of P.E.I., admitted to being overwhelmed by the crush of media attention focused on his son.

"The phone's been ringing off the hook here," he said before pausing an interview to take a long-distance call.

"I've answered the same questions so many times it's just getting to be, well, you know. . . ."

Jeffery Bell, a fellow fisherman and friend of Brad's father, said the family has held up well despite the media blitz.

He said most people in eastern P.E.I. who know the family are not surprised by the achievements.

Both of his parents were "competitive and winners" when they were involved in local sports, said Bell, who remembers playing hockey in a recreational league with both the father and son.

"What I like about (Brad) is that he passes the puck," he said. "In our rec team he used to bounce pucks off guys' asses. You got the puck on your stick and you didn't know where it come from. He shares."

The young centre arrived in the village Monday and took a victory lap around the harbour with Lord Stanley's cup in his father's fishing boat.

Organizers of the homecoming are expecting up to 10,000 people to watch the parade through the village and the trophies will be on display for most of the day.