Rick Dudley makes Lewiston dreams reality after his Stanley Cup ones were realized

NHL trophy displayed at Griffon Gastropub in Lewiston

By Timothy Chipp

Sitting at a square table within the Griffon Gastropub bar, Lewiston resident Rick Dudley smiled.

As he answered questions from this reporter, a woman and her young son approached with a question of their own.

Dudley, the reason hundreds of people gathered at the Water Street eatery Tuesday, paused to address the young man. It was a request for an autograph atop the child’s Buffalo Sabres hat, already smattered with several signatures.

A scribbled signature and a few impromptu photographs later, and Dudley’s attention returned to the conversation at hand.

“All I want is that every person who wants a picture or wants an autograph, that they get it,” Dudley said.

The Toronto native has called Lewiston home for about 20 years. He cites the people in the community for why he stays, calling it “one of the most underrated areas in the country.”

Beyond Lewiston, he’s called the Buffalo area, in general, home for many of the past 50 years, thanks to a storied career that spanned two different stints playing for the Buffalo Sabres, followed by coaching the team.

His residence stayed put even as other franchises called on him through the years since his leaving the Sabres in 1992.

Dudley has done almost every job in professional hockey. He’s played, obviously, and coached. He’s also served as general manager for four franchises and has held multiple advisory positions around the league.

It’s a professional career spanning 54 years and counting.

And he just won his first Stanley Cup.

Griffon owners Ed Webster and Ken Scibetta with the Stanley Cup. (Photo by K&D Action Photo and Aerial Imaging)

NHL legend – and Lewiston resident – Rick Dudley is shown with Ken Scibetta and the Stanley Cup. (Photo by Timothy Chipp)

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For his one day with the Cup, a tradition dating back 30 years, Dudley chose to bring it to his favorite Lewiston restaurant and fulfill his goal for the night. He needed everyone willing to celebrate – be they Florida fans, Sabres fans or just friends of his from around town – to enjoy themselves in the process.

But why Griffon? Dudley, who is currently senior adviser to Florida General Manager Billy Zito, said he made a promise last year to Griffon owners Ken Scibetta and Ed Webster that, if Florida won the Cup, he’d only celebrate with it in their restaurant.

Florida lost the series to Las Vegas. But he remembered the promise when his team made its championship run last month.

“(Dudley’s) been a really good friend and customer for a long time,” Scibetta said. “I’m just super humbled and honored he chose us to be his place to show (the Stanley Cup) off.”

Scibetta spent much of the night protecting the trophy from any potential rule-breakers in the crowd. Attendees were allowed to touch it. And kiss it, if they wanted to. A few did. They just couldn’t tilt it back or pick it up.

But just having the nearly 35-pound trophy in the restaurant blew Scibetta’s mind. And the minds of more than a few in the building.

“The kids (are exciting),” Scibetta said. “How excited they get to see it, to touch it. The energy coming off them is infectious.”

And, he added, he was pleasantly surprised by how respectful everyone was of the Cup and its rules.

Scibetta and Webster got to have their fun, too. They posed with Dudley and other friends for their own photographs with the trophy and posted all of the pictures from the night to the restaurant’s website, griffongastropub.com.

Fans pose with the Stanley Cup. (Photo by K&D Action Photo and Aerial Imaging)