What's a birthday party without a cake ... and the Stanley Cup.

On June 18, 1993, the Hockey Hall of Fame opened its doors for the first time at the corner of Yonge and Front Streets in Toronto's exciting downtown core. Prior to 1993, the Hockey Hall of Fame had been located on the grounds of the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, where it had been situated since opening in 1961. To celebrate ten years of commitment to the sport from its current location, hockey's shrine invited 500 of its closest friends to the 10th Anniversary Celebration, 'HHOF & Friends.' Honoured Members inducted during the past ten years were special guests of the Hall - Edgar Laprade (inducted in 1993), Steve Shutt (1993), Billy Smith (1993), Bryan Trottier (1997), Michel Goulet (1998), Peter Stastny (1998), Mike Gartner (2001), Bernie Federko (2002), Clark Gillies (2002) and Rod Langway (2002). Also in attendance were Honoured Members Andy Bathgate (1978), Marcel Dionne (1992), Ken Dryden (1983), Harry Howell (1979), Red Kelly (1969), Ted Lindsay (1966), Frank Mahovlich (1981), Scotty Morrison (1999), Brian O'Neill (1994), Pierre Pilote (1975), Sam Pollock (1978), Frank Udvari (1973) and John Ziegler (1987). NHL Alumni Association president Brian Conacher, whose father Lionel and Uncles Charlie and Roy are all in the Hockey Hall of Fame, was also on hand for the festivities. But the guest of honour, who happened to be the oldest and most esteemed guest in attendance at the 10th Anniversary Celebration, was the Stanley Cup.

The Hockey Hall of Fame celebrated 10 years at the corner of Yonge and Front Streets in Toronto with musical friends Blue Rodeo.

Invited guests nibbled on amazing food while wandering through the Hall of Fame and observing the extraordinary exhibits. CBC-TV's Ron McLean was the master of ceremonies and, after a brief speech from the Hockey Hall of Fame's Ron Ellis, introduced the musical entertainment for the evening, Blue Rodeo. The band, one of the best Canada has ever produced, performed many of their biggest hits, including 'Try,' and 'Diamond Mine' as well as 'Bulletproof' from their new CD, 'Palace of Gold.'

Within 24 hours of arriving in Toronto, the Stanley Cup was jetting off again. Thursday morning, the destination was Nashville, host of this year's Entry Draft. The Stanley Cup visited the Convention Centre, giving Nashville residents the opportunity to see the Stanley Cup up close. If the Predators continue their steady improvement, the city may be enjoying the Stanley Cup for a longer period of time in the near future!

Saturday and Sunday, it's the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Hundreds of young men will sit in the stands of Nashville's Gaylord Entertainment Center, dreaming of being selected by an NHL franchise and one day — just possibly one day — holding the Stanley Cup aloft like the New Jersey Devil players did this spring!

Monday, return to Stanley Cup Journal and read about how the Stanley Cup sat in a draft over the weekend.

Kevin Shea is a hockey journalist and historian residing in Toronto.