Hudson Ice Arena was the place to be on Monday, August 27, proclaimed as 'Davis Drewiske Day' in Wisconsin by Governor Scott Walker.

Several hundred fans--kids and adults alike--queued up to see their hero and the Stanley Cup, perhaps to get an autograph or a picture with the Hudson native. The L.A. Kings defenseman did not disappoint, scribbling his name on many pictures for beaming children and hamming it up for the camera for four hours on a beautiful late summer evening in the city on the Wisconsin/Minnesota border.

The Drewiske family, led by parents Dave and Karen, held an intimate family/friend gathering earlier in the day that saw over 200 people stop by to congratulate Davis.

Drewiske also found time to visit with Jack Jablonski, the Benilde-St. Margarets player who was paralyzed last season in a game in Minnesota.

"It's exciting to bring the Cup back here and share it with the people that supported myself and my family over the years," said Drewiske. "It's a good day."

Hundreds of kids showed up at the rink, many of them no doubt dreaming that someday they would be hoisting Lord Stanley's chalice.

Drewiske had some words of advice.

"Just work hard and be ready for your opportunities when you get them," said Drewiske. "It's not easy and you have to work at it."

He also warned against playing a single sport at a young age.

"When you're younger you should have fun and play some other sports. It's good to play some other sports and develop your overall athletic ability."

And even the NHLer said winning was not everything.

"It's good to work hard and compete, but if things don't work out, you learn some good lessons along the way."

Drewiske thought back to the days when he went to the Hudson high school games and was one of the youth hockey players hanging on the glass watching the Raiders play back in the 90s.

"I can remember when I was a kid going to the high school games and looking up to those guys and hoping that I could do that some day," said Drewiske.

And he has done more than that, winning a state high school championship to go along with his college and NHL titles.

Pretty heady stuff for a kid from Hudson who claims '"I don't think in any way I am special.'"

Davis, with all you do for charities, your community, and your friends and family--you are special.