Many St. Louisans have followed the inspiring story of Laila Anderson, a young St. Louis Blues superfan battling a life-threatening autoimmune disease, who—after forming quite the bond with the hockey team—scored tickets to Game 7, kissed the Stanley Cup after the team's history-making win, and even received her own bobblehead. Last June, fans created a Change.org petition to add Anderson’s name to the Stanley Cup. That didn’t happen, but the hockey team found a way to honor the 11-year-old they've dubbed their lucky charm.
In a video posted yesterday to the St. Louis Blues’ social media, players Alexander Steen and Colton Parayko surprised Anderson at her house, presenting her with her very own championship ring.
“You know how much you mean to us, right?” Steen asks her in the video. “Yes,” she answers. “And what an inspiration you’ve been to so many people, so, me and Colton are here—representing our organization and everybody there—and we have something we’d like you to open right now,” he continues, handing her a small gift-wrapped box. With shaky hands, Anderson unwraps the ribbon and takes the lid off. Then, she covers her face with one hand: “Oh, my…” Cue the tears.
You can watch her reaction below:
But that ring is more than just your average piece of jewelry. Here are the personal choices and touches of the championship ring.
Courtesy of the St. Louis Blues and Jostens
1. The players received their rings, created by Jostens, during a private ceremony on September 30, according to NHL.com.
2. The 10.6-carat ring has a total of 282 diamonds, 20 princess-cut sapphires, and 15 round sapphires. In a statement, the team said the 16 custom-cut blue sapphires symbolize “the number of postseason victories earned along their path to the Cup,” forming the team’s iconic music note logo.
3. That blue note, on the front of the ring, sits atop the Stanley Cup, made up of 45 pavé diamonds, surrounded by 30 diamonds. Together, they equal 75 diamonds, representing the 75 goals scored by the St. Louis Blues during their winning season.
4. Laila’s name is written on the inside of the player's ring band. Opposite of it, the results of each playoff series game accompany the team’s logo and that particular player’s signature.
5. “PLAY GLORIA,” a reference to the 1982 Laura Branigan hit that became the team's victory anthem, appears on the ring band’s exterior.
6. The ring's left side features the name and jersey number of each player along with 2019, the year of the championship.
7. The ring’s right side bears the music notes of "When the Blues Go Marching In." Those notes weave through the St. Louis Arch, made up of 16 diamonds (the number of victories in the playoffs). According to the team, "The scene is inspired from photos taken from an overhead blimp during the city’s championship parade celebration. A mix of 76 diamonds and 15 sapphires represent the massive crowd turnout that surrounded the stage, celebrating the historic victory."
