Curtis McElhinney was in his happy place.
It was late summer and he was bobbing on a boat, hanging out with some family members, cruising up stream while taking in the scenery.
This time, however, he didn’t have his fly rod in tow and the water was far too crowded to cast a line. He was celebrating the first Stanley Cup victory of his well-travelled 13-year NHL career with teammate Braydon Coburn and his family, as they floated the Hillsborough River en route to a socially distant celebration at Raymond James Stadium.
Eighteen years prior to that boat ride, he was on another boat, this time with his own family and friends.