'I'm just in awe': Edmonton area man gets shoutout during Stanley Cup celebration - Action News
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Edmonton

'I'm just in awe': Edmonton area man gets shoutout during Stanley Cup celebration

Just moments after hoisting the Cup, Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby made mention of Edmonton sports psychologist John Stevenson on live TV.

Sports psychologist John Stevenson gets special thanks on TV from Braden Holtby

Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby hoists the Stanley Cup after the Capitals defeated the Golden Knights 4-3 in Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals Thursday, June 7, 2018, in Las Vegas. In an interview during the celebration Holtby gave a special shoutout to Edmonton sports psychologist John Stevenson. (John Locher/The Associated Press)

An Edmonton-area man is on Cloud 9 after being given a shoutout on television during the Washington Capitals Stanley Cup celebration.

Just moments after hoisting the Cup,Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby made mention of Edmonton sports psychologist John Stevenson.

"One guy I'd really like to say thanks to is John Stevenson back in Edmonton," said Holtby. "I wouldn'tbe here without him."

Stevenson was working Thursday night but was checking the game as often as he could.

"I didn't get to see the shoutout and thenext thing I know I just got a flood of messages saying 'John did you hear what Braden did?'" Stevenson said. "And that's when I found out about it. I'm just in awe."

Stevenson first metHoltbywhen theLloydminsternative was tending goal for the Saskatoon Blades. Stevenson was the goalie coach for the Blades and the two have been working together ever since

"He's just very open minded and coachable," said Stevenson.

Stevenson said he stays in contact withHoltbyand offers supportthroughout the season.The two get to meet face-to-face when the Capitals visit the Oilers.Holtbyalso works with John's wife,Jaci, who is a cognitive and visual trainer.

Sports psychologist John Stevenson has been working with Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby since the netminder played junior with the Saskatoon Blades. (John Stevenson)

This is not the first time Stevenson has been mentioned on televisionby Holtby. The 51-year-old Strathcona County resident was also mentioned during an interview in last year's playoffsduring the Caps series against thePittsburgh Penguins. Still, Stevenson was surprised to learn he was mentioned by Holtby after such a big moment

"I know that there's been so many great people that have had such a powerful influence on Braden and I'm just really honoured that he mentioned my name. " said Stevenson.

Though Stevenson hasn't had the chance to talk to Holtby since the Caps' netminder hoisted the Cup, he knows he'll be able to chat with him sometime in the next few days and is looking forward to hitting the links with him this summer.

"Hopefully I'll get to go on the golf course with him this summer and we can get to play golf and have a good laugh then," he said.