from Kevin Allen of USA TODAY,

For many years, I've asked NHL players what it feels like to win the Stanley Cup, and they always look as if they have been asked to define the meaning of life.

Most say they don't have the words necessary to explain the feeling of accomplishment that they now enjoy. They say it's indescribable, or surreal, or exhilarating.

Some of them can't even try to explain. More than one has let out an audible exhale, paused to fight back tears, and then shaken his head to tell me that he is too emotional to go there.

That's where I am at in trying to explain how meaningful it is to me to be presented with the Lester Patrick award tonight. I simply can't explain.

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