By PAT McDONALD
Sports Editor
ARUNDEL — Brian Dumoulin may be a two-time Stanley Cup champion with a long-term, multi-million dollar contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he never forgets where he came from.
Dumoulin, who led the Biddeford Tigers to state titles in 2007 and 2008, comes back to southern Maine quite often during the National Hockey League’s offseason with the most recent visit happening this week.
The Penguins defenseman was at Weirs Buick GMC in Arundel on Friday afternoon to meet local fans.
“It was fun. It was a good crowd here at Weirs. It was nice that they were able to host me and I was able to meet some of the people,” said Dumoulin. “I mean (I saw) a lot of familiar faces that I grew up with. It’s just cool to be able to come back here with them and have such a good turnout … it’s special.”
On Thursday night, Dumoulin was a guest of the Portland Sea Dogs, who had the Biddeford native throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Hadlock Field.
“It’s funny, these are some of the places that I went to as a kid. It’s funny to come back here, and have people recognize you, and go out there and throw the first pitch,” Dumoulin said.
Dumoulin enjoys coming back home to say thank you to the people who helped him achieve his dreams.
“I mean these are some of the people that helped me win my two Stanley Cups and win (two national titles) at BC, so it’s special for me to be able to come back and share it with them,” Dumoulin added.
Dumoulin signed a 6-year, $24.6 million contract with the Penguins after he helped them capture their second straight Stanley Cup back in June.
“It’s special. I love Pittsburgh, I love playing there and that’s the place that I want to be,” said Dumoulin, who enjoys being able to spend his offseason in Boston and Maine. “It’s nice being able to go to Pittsburgh during the winter and then come back to New England for the summer. It’s the best of both worlds and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
With Dumoulin winning the Stanley Cup in each of his first two full seasons with the Penguins, he has never had a normal offseason — but he’s not complaining.
“That’s a good thing. I mean after having won last year you are kind of used to the short summer. It’s a good problem to have,” said Dumoulin, who is ready to get back on the ice. “At this point in the summer I’m anxious to get back to Pittsburgh and get the season going again.”
— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.
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