Utah Hockey Club forward Kevin Stenlund is a Stanley Cup champion, but you wouldn’t yet know it by looking at his trophy case. He has not yet received his Stanley Cup ring.

Cup-winning teams typically deliver rings to departed players throughout the following season. The first time each player faces that team, they are greeted with their hardware before the game. The Florida Panthers, who won it in 2025, are coming to the conclusion of their ring tour.

Only Stenlund and Detroit Red Wings forward Vladimir Tarasenko remain, but both will receive them this month: Stenlund when the Panthers come to town Wednesday and Tarasenko when the Red Wings go to Florida on the 16th.

“It’s a long time coming,” Stenlund said of the occasion. “I’ve seen everyone else get theirs, so I’m just excited to see it in person.”

Each ring features 187 diamonds, 14-karat gold, and genuine rubies and sapphires.

“It’s a great design,” Stenlund said. “Like, a beautiful ring. It looks big, so it will be fun to see it in person.”

Stenlund said he doesn’t plan to wear it much, as he’s “not a ring person.” He does look forward, though, to the reunion parties that the Panthers will eventually have, where he’ll be able to sport it.

He also doesn’t plan to show it off around the Utah HC locker room.

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“We’ll get one of our own,” he said.

How good is Kevin Stenlund?

Stenlund played every regular season and playoff game for the Panthers last year, helping them to a victory in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. He filled a key role on the penalty kill, defending against some of the most dangerous offensive players in the world: Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

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He doubled his salary by signing with Utah in the offseason, securing a two-year deal worth $2 million annually. He is on pace to abolish his previous career highs in goals, assists and points — thanks, in large part, to a five-game point streak in December.

The 6-foot-4 center is also known for his dominance in the face-off circle: a 59.9% success rate. Among players who have taken 50 draws or more this year, he’s the sixth-best.

Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) and Florida Panthers center Kevin Stenlund (82) go after the puck during  Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, Monday, June 24, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla.
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) and Florida Panthers center Kevin Stenlund (82) go after the puck during Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, Monday, June 24, 2024, in Sunrise, Fla. | Rebecca Blackwell, Associated Press
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