Irene can't keep Stanley from Brad

A convoy was on its way to Halifax from Prince Edward Island on Monday carrying Brad Marchand and the Stanley Cup.

Hockey's highest trophy was on the Island on Sunday so Adam McQuaid could have his parade in Cornwall.

With the storm Irene battering the region, Marchand's parents worried their son wouldn't get his chance with the Cup on Monday.

"My husband decided that perhaps the guys should all drive to P.E.I. and at least get their hands on the Cup through the night and spend some time with the Cup should the event happen that the Cup was not able to get to Halifax," said Lynn Marchand, the hockey star's mother.

"They rented a limousine bus and filled it with relatives and Brad and off they drove to P.E.I. last night."

As the storm worsened, Confederation Bridge was closed to high-sided vehicles. That meant the bus couldn't come back to Halifax.

Lynn Marchand said a fleet of taxis carried everyone across the bridge and then a couple of limousine buses picked them up to take them the rest of the way.

They were expected back in time for the parade to start at noon.

The parade begins at Summer and University streets and winds its way downtown to Grande Parade, where there will be a celebration with the mayor.

Later, Marchand, 23, will take the Cup to Tantallon for a parade to St. Margaret's Centre.

Marchand and the Boston Bruins defeated the Vancouver Canucks in June to take home the Stanley Cup.