Miners alum Lewis helps Kings win Stanley Cup

In 2002, Trevor Lewis arrived in Colorado Springs from Utah for an opportunity to develop and play on a national stage with the Pikes Peak Miners. On Monday night, the 25 year old made history by capturing the Stanley Cup. During the final game, he netted 2 goals as the Los Angeles Kings defeated the New Jersey Devils 6-1.

During his first season with the Miners (2002-03), Lewis recorded 35 goals and 22 assists, and slowly started to gain recognition as a legitimate national prospect. The following season Lewis arrived. He once again led the Miners in scoring, more than doubling his point output from the previous season to 118 points in 70 games. A deceptively quick natural goal scorer, Lewis helped lead the Miners to a milestone 50-plus win season, and the program’s first top-ten national ranking.

The following season Lewis landed in the United States Hockey League with the Des Moines Buccaneers. After recording 22 points in 52 games his first season, he continued to remain committed to intensive training in the off-season, and returned only to display one of the most impressive performances in USHL history. In his second junior season, Lewis tallied 75 points (35 goals-40 assists), helped lead his team to a Clark Cup Championship, was named USHL player of year, and captured the Curt Hammer Award. The Curt Hammer Award has been presented annually since the 1988-89 season and recognizes the USHL player who distinguishes himself both on and off the ice by demonstrating outstanding performance skills, leadership, pride, and determination.

A month later, Lewis was selected in the first round of the NHL draft (17th overall) by the Los Angeles Kings. After spending several seasons with the Kings affiliate club in Manchester (AHL), in 2010 Lewis became a regular in the NHL. This season he found his niche, averaging close to 15 minutes per game, which included playing a key role on the penalty kill, which recorded an impressive 92.1% success rate during the playoffs. In total, Lewis finished the 2012 post-season with 9 points in 20 games (3 goals and 6 assists).

Even more fitting was the fact that two of Trevor’s former Pikes Peak Miners teammates shared the ice with his parents after winning the cup. Kyle Gover and Mike Testwuide were on hand to witness this historic night. The following morning, the Salt Lake City Tribune reported the following: “It’s crazy, it’s insane," said Salt Lake City’s Kyle Gover, a longtime friend who attended the game and savored those goals. "Trevor had a fantastic game. He was working hard, and it’s good to see him get rewarded."

Lewis will continue to pave the way for Miners players for years to come. His hard work, dedication, and passion to the sport culminated with hockey’s top prize. He is proof that players from the Rocky Mountain region that take advantage of developmental opportunities in the Pikes Peak Miners program can achieve the ultimate dream of hoisting the Stanley Cup.