Blackhawk Bryan Bickell makes appearance at Bridges'

GRIFFITH | If some sport trophies were Christmas gifts -- take, for instance, what they hoist on the winner of the BCS National Championship Game -- they would be returned faster than a four-colored sweater.

Other trophies you just hate to give back ... or long for another chance to hold them.

Bryan Bickell remembers the blissful summer day when he was granted temporary possession of Lord Stanley's Cup shortly after the Blackhawks won the 2010 NHL title.

"I love to fish, so I took it fishing with me," the Blackhawks left winger said. "I was planning to put a fish in the cup. I don't that was ever done before."

Bickell didn't catch any fish that day, but his girlfriend did. Later, he took it to a gathering his family organized in his hometown Orono, Ontario, Canada.

"It was a great time ... we had about 500 people there," Bickell said. "It's a small town. I grew up playing there. It was a great day for the residents and my family and friends.

"We plan to do something bigger next time."

Bickell made his first formal appearance in Northwest Indiana at Bridges' Scoreboard Restaurant and Sports Bar on Tuesday night.

"I've driven through this area before, but never really stopped to spend time here," Bickell said.

Going into Wednesday's home game against Los Angeles Kings, Bickell's Hawks are leading the NHL with 50 points.

"We're playing well, but we still need to work on a couple of things to get stronger," Bickell said.

Bickell was the Blackhawks 41st overall pick in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He scored a goal in his NHL debut after he was called up late in the 2006-2007 season. Bickell had a four-game stint with the Blackhawks the following season, and played in 16 regular-season games and four playoff games during the championship run.

Last season was his first full season with the Blackhawks.

"I've learned a lot since I've been here, and I hope I can stay here for a long time," he said.