No Stanley Cup? No problem. Canadiens fan makes near-exact replica using 3D printer
The Montreal Canadiens haven't brought the Stanley Cup home since 1993 -- but a very convincing replica is sitting in a garage in Boisbriand, Que., about 35 km northwest of Montreal.
Hobbyist Shawn Wilson created a life-sized model using a 3D printer.
Wilson is a woodworker, but this particular creation is made of plastic and painted silver.
He's got it down to the last detail, with thousands of names engraved on those unmistakable five barrel rings, alongside the dates that defined hockey history.
"I had to type each name by hand," Wilson told CTV News. "It brings back a lot of the memories."
He began the project last summer when the Habs made the NHL's Eastern Conference final.
First, he spent over 100 hours in front of a computer, designing the model.
Shawn Wilson spend over 100 hours in front of the computer, creating the blueprints for his Stanley Cup replica. (CTV News)
Once the blueprint was finished, he programmed the 3D printer to build up the legendary trophy layer by layer and piece by piece.
"The top bowl is one piece, but all these barrels actually screw together similar to the Stanley Cup, so that every 13 years you can add to the bottom and keep the cup up to date," Wilson explained.
The cup has more than 2,300 names on it and a blank space to inscribe last season's Stanley Cup winners.
The Colorado Avalanche will be the latest roster added after their victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning -- the latest chapter in a 130-year-old saga.
The cup replica was 3D printed in plastic and coated with silver paint. (CTV News)
"The cup has a famous history. It's been stolen, horses have eaten out of it," Wilson said.
He himself has eaten out of the replica, but prefers to show it off in his garage.
"Why not have a Stanley Cup replica to put in the man cave display?"
While it's a near-perfect copy, there is one key difference.
Wilson's model is a near-exact replica of the Stanley Cup, right down to the smallest details. (CTV News)
"I did change the logo a little, but just so it doesn't have infringement [issues]," Wilson explained.
The Habs didn't take home hardware last season. But for Wilson, this replica feels a lot like a silver lining.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.