BIDDEFORD — When Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin brought the Stanley Cup to his hometown on Tuesday, he wasn’t wearing the iconic black and gold sweater from his NHL team – the former Biddeford standout was wearing his old BHS jersey with Tigers written across the front.

It was only fitting that Dumoulin would bring it back to where it all started as he celebrated with thousands of fans at the Biddeford Ice Arena – a place where Biddeford fans will remember the standout tearing up the ice on a nightly basis.

“I think it’s huge. Brian has really impressed me, he’s stayed humble and true to his community. He never fails to mention Biddeford and what a great city it is and he makes us all proud,” said state Rep. Martin Grohman, who represents part of Biddeford.

Grohman is happy that the young hockey players in Maine have a role model like Dumoulin.

“When you talk to people around Biddeford, they’ve known him since he was in Little League, he’s always set a good example,” said Grohman.

Tom Fleurent, who was at Tuesday’s celebration with his son Jake who plays youth hockey for the Maine Wild, believes Dumoulin’s Stanley Cup win will help the sport grow in Maine.

“It’s huge. You know, you couldn’t have asked for anything better to promote youth hockey like this. To have a local boy win it all is such a huge boost for all the kids around here,” said Fleurent, who believes Dumoulin sets a great example for young players. “Everybody that has played with him says the same thing, best teammate they could of had. That’s what we want all our youth players to be.”

Jake Fleurent was thrilled to see Dumoulin capture the game’s biggest prize.

“I play hockey so it’s really cool to see Brian do it,” said Jake Fleurent.

“His older cousins played with Brian, so it’s been something to watch and now to see him here with the (Stanley Cup) has been incredible,” said Tom Fleurent.

State Rep. Ryan Fecteau graduated a year behind Dumoulin at Biddeford High and got to see Dumoulin lead the Tigers to back-to-back state titles in 2007 and 2008.

“I think it says a lot about our community … I was telling a few folks earlier today that when I went to Biddeford High School, the school was in disrepair, we had a renovation recently, but (before that) ceiling tiles would fill up with water and fall during the school day, but Brian and the hockey team were so good and there was a great sense of pride in those teams and bringing home championships to Biddeford,” said Fecteau.

Fecteau was proud to see Dumoulin, who also won two national titles at Boston College, bring the Stanley Cup home to celebrate with the community that has always supported him.

“To have a Stanley Cup championship with a Biddeford native, first ever Mainer to bring one home, I think it says a lot about our community, our sense of pride and the fact that Brian brought it to his hometown I think speaks to the level of care he has for this community,” said Fecteau.

Dave Petrin watched Dumoulin go from a standout at the youth level to a Stanley Cup champion.

“I’ve seen him ever since he was a kid. My boys played hockey here, so I’ve watched him grow,” said Petrin.

Petrin believes Dumoulin’s success will provide motivation for young hockey players across the state.

“It gives them the ambition, it gives them a dream … if this kid can do it, maybe if I work hard enough, maybe I can too,” said Petrin.

— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @ JournalTsports.