Bling of the Ring • Saginaw Spirit Adorned with Memorial Cup Keepsake

If you’ve noticed an inordinate amount of bling in the Great Lakes Bay Region as of late, you can thank the Saginaw Spirit.

Earlier this year the organization revealed the fruits of their labor after winning the 2024 Memorial Cup Tournament Presented by Dow. Besides getting their names etched into the Memorial Cup trophy, members of the Saginaw Spirit organization – players, coaches, and front office personnel – all received personally-designed Memorial Cup rings.

According to Spirit President & Managing Partner Craig Goslin, the Canadian Hockey League has a national contract with a company named Graduor Inc. of Terrebonne (Quebec), Canada, where all rings are entirely handmade by their specialized craftsmen. They are manufactured with great precision using 3D printing technologies.

“A professional jeweler designer from Gradour’s design team worked with us in several meetings,” said Goslin. “Myself and GM Dave Drinkill went back and forth with them on suggestions to get the rings exactly as we wanted them.”

Besides Goslin and Drinkill, also having input on the design was Assistant General Manager Brian Prout, Vice President of Business Management Lindsay McDougal, and Director of Merchandise/Foundation Manager Parkur Launstein.

Goslin said that between design meetings to final delivery, it took roughly four months to produce the rings. He did admit that any delays “were the cause of us reviewing the designs to make certain that we got it right.”

Platinum is the metal that was agreed upon. Features of the ring – which is valued at approximately $1,400 each – include:

• Inside of the ring features the scores of the five Memorial Cup games played by the Saginaw Spirit.

• Twenty-two diamonds surrounding the center logo representing the 22 years of Spirit existence in Saginaw.

• Four diamonds on the side that represent the four Saginaw Spirit victories to win the Memorial Cup. And,

• Player/staff member’s name on the right-side of the ring to commemorate/remind each of them of their significant role in winning the 2024 CHL Memorial Cup Presented by Dow.

“The CHL allocates funds out of its fiscal budget to cover some of the cost of rings for the Memorial Cup champions,” explained Goslin, who quickly added “we went significantly over the allocated amount and the team paid the difference.”

Spirit netminder Andrew Oke says he keeps his ring at his house back in Shelby Township as a trophy piece. “It’s a centerpiece in my bedroom back home to always remind me of that tournament,” he said. “It’s got the scores of each game embedded on the very inside of the ring to remind us of the teams we had to go through. The ring is awesome. They took a lot of time and effort to make it amazing. It’s got four diamonds on the side representing the four wins in the Memorial Cup. Blue, red, and white diamonds to keep the theme of USA and the Saginaw Spirit.”

WSGW Talk Show host Art Lewis, who doubles as the Spirt public address announcer, said he has only worn the ring once at a Spirit event (corporate dinner). “It is really big and heavy; not something you wear all the time. It comes in a display box and that’s where I keep it. I will probably wear it at other Spirit gatherings. I was totally surprised when I received mine. It is very special to me and will become a family keepsake.”

“Honestly, I just have it tucked away,” said steady blueliner James Guo. “I think the rings themselves are gorgeous and whoever designed them did an outstanding job. I remember them talking about all of the little details on the ring like the scores and the meaning of the colors.”

Right winger Nic Sima indicated that he keeps his ring at home in his room on a shelf with other medals and awards he has won in the past. “I thought the rings looked great. I really liked all the different color diamonds on the ring and thought all the little details on them were a great touch.”

The Memorial Cup ring has a very special meaning for Jimmy E. Greene, Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations. “I carry my ring in my front pocket every day. It’s always a reminder on what we owe this community. The first thing in the morning and last thing at night it serves as that obligation. It’s why I started the NHL StreetBall Program sponsored by the Spirit Cares Foundation and is housed at Saginaw’s First Ward Community Center. That’s what the ring means to me.”

If you are wondering about former Spirit players who have moved onto other teams in other leagues, the Spirit organization left no stone unturned in getting those individuals their rings. Drinkill actually took the time to deliver them in person to the arenas where the alumni Spirit players play.

A total of 80 Memorial Cup rings were ordered.