Even though NHL players have had the past year off, the Stanley Cup never rests.

Stanley always has a packed schedule throughout the year, making public appearances and sitting proud in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Now, for the first time in history, the most coveted trophy in professional sports will make its way to the Yukon.

'This is history-making news,' said an obviously pleased Rod Dewell, an executive member of the Dawson City Old Timer's Hockey Association (DCOHA), in an interview this morning. 'I've been told it's never been to the territory before. It's about time.'

The DCOHA and the Klondike Visitors Association (KVA) have been working on securing the Cup's appearance since February, to commemorate the famous trip in 1905. One hundred years ago, the Dawson Nuggets hockey team left the Great White North on an epic adventure to challenge the Ottawa Silver Seven for the Stanley Cup.

Initially, the two associations were trying to get the Cup in Dawson for the Commissioner's Ball, but that fell through. They then tried for Discovery Days, and came close to the long weekend when they learned they would be able to parade Stanley on Aug. 18 and 19.

'We just kept pestering them and pestering them and then finally, this week they called up and said, Do you want it?'' explained Dewell.

Now, they are working on an agenda for the two days that the Cup will be in Dawson. Dewell said they do know for sure that Stanley accompanied by two security guards will be at Gertie's during the day, so everyone can come to the popular hangout and get their pictures taken with the trophy. After that, it will be showcased at various spots around the town. There has been some talk of a parade, but Dewell said he doesn't know how feasible that idea is, especially since it would be on a weekday.

'We also hope to take it up the Dome and get that big panoramic shot with the Yukon River,' he said. 'We're going to run these guys ragged.

'We're going to get as much mileage out of this as possible.'

The DCOHA and KVA are also beginning their drive for sponsorship now that the dates are confirmed, since it will cost quite a bit of money for Stanley's travel and accommodations. Any businesses that do decide to help out would have the chance to see Stanley in their establishments, and perhaps get some staff photos taken.

Organizers are hoping people from the communities will travel to Dawson for those couple of days, to see the Cup up close. It's possible people from Alaska and northern B.C. may also make the trek, since it's pretty close to home.

'I'd like to ideally get as many people in the Yukon to see it as possible,' stated Dewell.

In fact, while the Cup will immediately travel to Dawson upon its arrival in the territory, there is a chance for a Whitehorse event on its way home. Stanley is expected to be back in Whitehorse on Friday evening, Aug. 19, before flying out on the Saturday.

'We're hoping someone from Whitehorse will want to put something together for that night,' said KVA's Harmony Hunter.

Hunter said they haven't talked to any Whitehorse contacts about a possible event yet, since it's all in the beginning stages. But she's hoping to contact both Sport Yukon and the City of Whitehorse.

Stanley won't be the only worthy attraction either, as he brings along some other high-profile friends the Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP), the James Norris Memorial Trophy (best defenceman) and the Hart Memorial Trophy (season MVP).

'There's some various elite trophies as well, and there's some pretty significant names on those trophies ñ� guys like Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky,' said Dewell.

If nothing else, said Dewell, the announcement is much-needed good news for the town of Dawson, which has regularly found itself in the news for negative reasons over the past couple of years.

'It's great news for the town,' said Hunter. 'People light right up when they hear about it.'