What Marian Hossa remembers most about winning first Stanley Cup with Blackhawks

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Marian Hossa will go down as arguably the greatest free-agent signing in Chicago sports history after playing a crucial role in all three Stanley Cup runs for the Blackhawks. But there was a moment in his career where Hossa doubted he'd ever get another chance to earn a ring.

In 2008, Hossa lost to the Detroit Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Final as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins. The following season, he went from Pittsburgh to Detroit and found himself on the losing end of a rematch that went seven games. Back-to-back trips to the Stanley Cup Final and nothing to show for it.

Hossa signed a 12-year contract with the Blackhawks on July 1, 2009, hoping to win just one championship in Chicago. So you can imagine his emotions during the 2010 Stanley Cup Final — his third consecutive appearance — after Patrick Kane scored the game winner in overtime.

"I think we can call it the most bizarre goal in OT because it was crazy, scoring OT winner like that," Hossa said during Tuesday's virtual players reunion show on NBC Sports Chicago. "I saw Kaner and a couple guys going crazy and we jump over the bench and we didn't know if we should celebrate. I think I went straight to the referee, I wanted to make sure, after being three straight times in the Finals, if the puck was in so after they told me the puck was in I started celebrating with the boys and got the monkey off my back, so definitely one of my favorites in my career to see my teammates score and one of the hugest, so thanks Kaner again."

One of the best parts about the on-ice celebration is Jonathan Toews hoisting the Stanley Cup above his head then immediately screaming: "Where's Hoss?" It's a moment Hossa will never forget.

"I remember the moment when Jonny gave me the Cup after the game and the first time, he let it go and I remember the weight of the Cup surprised me how heavy it was for the first couple seconds," Hossa said. "Then after that I just took it around and said the hockey dream came true. Unforgettable feeling."

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