O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting
The fearful trip is done. No more games of Mario Kart in the hotel. No more taunting fans in orange.
The ship has endured every rack, from crushing blows by former friends to seven Chiclets scattered across the ice.
The prize you sought is indeed won, Captain. Lord Stanley’s Cup has returned to Hawkeytown after a too-long absence.
The bells and exultation are for your team. And you, their Captain, are held to be first among equals.
You, who has earned a gold medal for your country in Vancouver.
You, who was named most valuable forward of the Olympic games.
You, who broke and tied multiple Blackhawks playoff records.
You, who reclaimed the Stanley Cup for a city beleagured by sports almost-won.
You, who distinguished yourself as worthy of Conn Smythe’s trophy.
So, Captain Serious, live it up. You’ve earned it. Crack a smile. It’s OK. We’ll forgive you (just this once). You, unlike the Captain in Whitman’s poem, are very much alive and able to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
Congratulations, Jonathan Toews; captain of the 2010 Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks, 2010 Conn Smythe Trophy winner, second-youngest captain of a Cup-winning team, and goddamned great hockey player.
