Stanley Cup Visit Completes Dying Wish Of Golden Knights Fan

On June 10th, 2021, the Golden Knights dispatched the Colorado Avalanche in a thrilling 6-3 victory that sent Vegas on to the Western Conference Final for the third time in four years. One of the 18,149 people at T-Mobile Arena that night was Michael Bronowitz, a devoted Golden Knights fan who celebrated his 51st birthday at one of his favorite places on the planet.

@GoldenKnights #VegasBorn
A lifetime of hockey. 1st game on my birthday! Couples that VGK together stay together. Get it done at home boys! #VGKallTheWay #PlayoffBeard pic.twitter.com/URVicx2wum

— Michael Bronowitz (@M_Bronowitz) June 11, 2021

Michael, who moved to Las Vegas in 2011, grew up a New York Rangers fan and promised he’d bleed blue forever. His first Golden Knights jersey was #24, Oscar Lindberg, the expansion draft pick from the Rangers, because he wanted to represent both teams.

But like many, the Golden Knights sucked him in and wouldn’t let him go. The magic of the inaugural season captivated Michael like it did most of Las Vegas and he became as ardent a supporter of the team as you could find. Michael was a mainstay in Section 18 of T-Mobile Arena, constantly chatting up anyone he could to talk about their shared love for the Golden Knights.

Three days after he watched his favorite team advance, Bronowitz tested positive for COVID-19. He passed away a few days later.

One of the final things Michael said to his wife Connie was “If anything should happen to me, and the Golden Knights win the Cup, you have to bring it to my grave.” Like any loving spouse, Connie took that to heart, and when the Golden Knights hoisted Lord Stanley almost two years to the date later, she knew it was her time to fulfill one of Michael’s final wishes.

That’s not exactly the easiest task to complete though. The 130-year-old trophy is one of the most in-demand items on the face of the planet. To make it happen, someone would have to take away a chunk of their precious little time with the Cup to bring it to Bunker Memorial Gardens Cemetary in the northern part of Las Vegas.

Enter Vegas Golden Knights president Kerry Bubolz. On September 8th, as part of his day with the Cup that included a trip to UMC Hospital and the Henderson Police Department, Bubolz personally delivered the Cup to Michael’s grave.

The Golden Knights’ iconic John Wick Mode entry music blared from a speaker as Bubolz carried the Cup through the cemetery. He set it down at the head of Michael’s grave and a photo of Michael in his favorite Golden Knights hat was placed inside the bowl of the Cup.

Because of the restrictions at the hospital, I was unable to see Michael in his final days. Those were some of the last words he ever spoke to me. I took them very seriously, and to be able to grant him this wish is one of the proudest moments of my life. -Connie Bronowitz

Michael’s was not the only grave the Cup visited on Bubolz’s day either. He also brought it to that of legendary Las Vegas figure and Golden Knights superfan Kenny Lee who passed in a car crash in November 2022.

This is what sports are all about. The bond that has been created between the Golden Knights and the city of Las Vegas is undeniable.

Michael Bronowitz and Kenny Lee are now champions.

Kerry Bubolz is a champion.

The Golden Knights are champions.