By design, London's Muslim community will star in Nazem Kadri's Stanley Cup celebration

When Nazem Kadri makes his first appearance in London, Ont., holding the Stanley Cup on Saturday, he'll be walking through the front doors of the London Muslim Mosque.

And for the 31-year-old NHLer, that's by design.

Kadri, who captured the Cup in June as a member of the Colorado Avalanche, is hosting a community celebration. Kadri is the first Muslim player to win an NHL championship.

Longtime family friend Hassan Mostafa said starting the festivities at the mosque is a way for Kadri to involve the community that's meant so much to him.

"Nazem is proud of his Muslim heritage, and it was definitely on purpose that the Kadri family wanted to start the parade at the mosque," said Mostafa. "He's going to come out of the mosque with the cup hoisted high and really show that you can be Muslim, you can be different, you can be of a different background and still have the best of success in a wonderful country like Canada."

Mostafa admits that early on, he was skeptical when Kadri's father, Samir, said his young son was NHL-bound.

"His dad would say, 'Yup, my son is going to the NHL,' and we really weren't sure that was a realistic goal, but he's proven us all wrong, and we're so proud of Nazem and what he's accomplished and winning the Stanley Cup."

The road to winning the Stanley Cup hasn't been an easy one for the former London Knight and Toronto Maple Leaf. At times in his career, he's had his ability questioned.

On the ice, he often plays the role of the agitator. During the Cup Finals, he collided with St. Louis Blues goalie Jordan Binnington. Later, the goalie tossed a water bottle in Kadri's direction while Kadri was being interviewed for television. Kadri also became the subject of racist threats on social media following the collision with Binnington.

And while he's made a few enemies of players on opposing teams, Kadri had a standout year with Colorado, contributing a career-best 87 points in the regular season. His efforts propelled the Avalanche through the playoffs and also helped him secure a new seven-year, $49-million US deal with Calgary as a free agent. 

Saturday's celebration comes as London's Muslim community continues to endure the pain of last year's attack, which left four members of one Muslim family dead. Police have said the attack was hate-motived.

And while no hockey win can heal a wound that deep, Mostafa said it will feel good to have the community come together and celebrate the successes of one of their own.

Mostafa said many kids in Muslim households have picked up sticks and strapped on skates, inspired by Kadri.