BIDDEFORD — Biddeford native Brian Dumoulin brought the Stanley Cup home to the Biddeford Ice Arena Tuesday morning after winning it back in June with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The 2015-16 campaign was a breakout year for the 24-year-old defenseman, who played in 79 regular season games and 29 in the playoffs. Dumoulin scored two goals in the postseason, including one in the first period of the decisive Game 6 victory over the San Jose Sharks.

“It was a whirlwind, you don’t want to think about it until you actually win it. It’s one of those things where you don’t want to put too much pressure on yourself, but after that it’s an emotional ride. You look back at the season and realize where we came from and how much it meant to me and my family,” said Dumoulin during Tuesday’s celebration.

Success is nothing new to Dumoulin, who won two state titles at Biddeford High School, two national championships at Boston College, and now a championship at the sport’s highest level.

With an estimated 2,000 in attendance, Dumoulin was proud to bring the Cup back to his hometown and see familiar faces along the way.

“It’s good, it’s cool to see the turnout and the see the people that care and appreciate the trophy,” said Dumoulin. “It’s fun to see the guys that I played high school hockey with and being in the arena where we had so much success.”

Dumoulin also made history in June, becoming the NHL’s first Maine-born player to win the Stanley Cup. Dumoulin hopes that his achievements inspire young hockey players to compete as well.

“I hope kids will want to see it and win it someday,” said Dumoulin. “I saw it when I was 12 years old in Toronto, it was bright and shiny and I thought, ‘I would like to win that thing, I want to hoist it over my head.’ Fortunately I’m able to do that now and I hope those kids want to do the same thing.”

One of his biggest supporters is current Thornton Academy and former Biddeford High School hockey coach Jamie Gagnon, who coached Dumoulin during his two state title runs.

“I’m very close with (Gagnon), when I was in Biddeford High School or when I played in college and even when I played professional I talked to him it seemed like every month. It’s definitely a lasting relationship that we built back in Biddeford High School and it’s cool to share this with him and his family, too.”

Seeing Dumoulin hoist the cup has been a incredible experience, according to Gagnon.

“It’s surreal. You look at the scene outside and what it means to the town. He knows that, and it’s that kind of personality that has led to his success,” said Gagnon. “To come back and share it with everyone I know is really special to him, which makes it that much better for me.”

Gagnon complimented Dumoulin’s talent and work ethic, as well as his humility through all of his success.

“He just goes about his business – it’s another day in the office. He’s as humble of a human being as you’ll ever meet. What made me most proud is not just his talent on the ice, which is undeniable, but the way he handles himself, it really is something,” said Gagnon. “You look at the things people have got to see and the way people have got to highlight the city. He has done that single handedly which is highly impressive.”

Gagnon hopes to see Dumoulin enjoy more success down the road, while cherishing the memories he has made in 2016.

“They can’t take this away from him, this experience now, they can’t take away from him. Hopefully he goes on and has a long NHL career … there are many guys that play for 25 years as a player or coach and don’t get to experience what he is right now, so relish it, enjoy it and go back to work and see if you can win it again.”

— Sports Staff Writer Alex Sponseller can be reached at sports@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @ JournalTsports.