- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 547,027
- Reaction score
- 47
If you happened to be sitting at a sidewalk table in front of the Riverside Hotel in the wee hours of June 1, 1996, you likely were startled by the shouts and honks of a two-car parade as it lurched along Las Olas Boulevard.
“We’re going to the Stanley Cup! Go Panthers!” the red-clad celebrants yelled out the window, waving arms and flags as they disappeared into an otherwise quiet Saturday night in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Onlookers shared polite waves from the cafe, if they responded at all, and returned to their cocktails and conversation. What was that all about? South Florida has hockey? Who knew?
Nearly 30 years later, everyone knows: South Florida is all about hockey.
As the Stanley Cup-winning Panthers return to their home ice on Monday seeking a second consecutive NHL championship, interest in the team and the sport is at an all-time high, with arena-sized watch parties, jerseys at the office, a jump in TV viewership and a record number of participants in the Panthers’ youth hockey programs.
After three consecutive appearances in the Stanley Cup Final, each seemingly more exciting than the last, it’s fair to ask: Is Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, South Florida now a hockey town?
Bill Lindsay, who scored a pivotal goal to help get the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final in 1996, does not mince words.
“South Florida is a hockey town. Maybe not in the traditional sense, but it has become a staple of many communities throughout South Florida. From the Panthers’ arrival in 1993, the roots were planted, and the growth has been tremendous,” says Lindsay, now the radio color analyst for Panthers games on WQAM-560.
“Never in my wildest imagination when I arrived in ’93 could I have ever envisioned that hockey would be like it is now. The rinks, the fans, the thirst and desire for hockey is remarkable. Yes, South Florida is a hockey town, home of the champs. Imagine all the possibilities that lie ahead,” he says.
South Florida loves sports, of course, and we have seen this kind of adulation before, especially when there are championship trophies involved.
For more than 50 years, the Miami Dolphins and the Super Bowl-winning 1972 Perfect Season have owned the hearts of even casual South Florida sports fans — and the record-setting excellence of Dolphins QB Dan Marino made him the most popular local athlete of all time.
At the turn of the century, the then-Florida Marlins were watercooler darlings with talk about Livan Hernandez, then Josh Beckett extinguishing the Yankees. In 2006, the Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade was a local deity, and the celebrity spotlight of the LeBron James years may never be surpassed. Unless you consider the recent arrival of Lionel Messi, the most famous athlete in the world when he began playing for Inter Miami at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale in 2023.
But South Florida residents, especially in and around Fort Lauderdale, seem to have developed a unique fondness for these Panthers — with their blue-collar style of hockey and the good feels produced by a bunch of fun-loving, beer-drinking dudes who celebrated their 2024 Stanley Cup win by taking the NHL’s venerable trophy to a beach dive bar, the Elbo Room.
Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk celebrates winning the the Stanley Cup in the Atlantic Ocean near Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers Aaron Ekblad heads to the Atlantic Ocean as he celebrates winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk celebrates winning the the Stanley Cup in the Atlantic Ocean near Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers fans celebrate as they head to the Atlantic Ocean to celebrate winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers Anthony Stolarz, Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk sing "We Are The Champions" as they celebrate winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk, left, Aaron Ekblad and Sam Bennett celebrate in the Atlantic Ocean after winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Bartender Adam Ginsberg celebrates the Florida Panthers winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk celebrates winning the the Stanley Cup in the Atlantic Ocean near Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk celebrates winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Fan Greg Swick drinks beer from the Stanley Cup as the Florida Panthers celebrate winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett as they celebrate winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Fans take photos as the Florida Panthers celebrate winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk celebrates winning the the Stanley Cup in the Atlantic Ocean near Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Bartender Adam Ginsberg celebrates the Florida Panthers winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers Anthony Stolarz and Matthew Tkachuk pour beer from the cup onto the crowd as they celebrate winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Fans cheer as the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) A fan cheers as the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) A fan and his sign before the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Cliff Brush, 34, with his dog, Brodie, rinkside as the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Panthers center Sam Reinhart hoists the Stanley Cup trophy after winning Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on June 24. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The Florida Panthers pose for photos with the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The Florida Panthers bench erupts as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) passes the Stanley Cup Trophy to Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers right wing Kyle Okposo (8) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers defenseman Josh Mahura (28) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) is presented with the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) is presented with the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The team celebrates as Florida Panthers win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The team celebrates as Florida Panthers win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The bench celebrates as Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) scores the second goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The bench celebrates as Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) scores the second goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The bench celebrates as Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) scores the second goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) and center Anton Lundell (15) celebrate after the Florida Panthers score the first against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) protests the net as Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) goes in the air in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) scores the second goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The team celebrates as Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) scores the second goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) and center Anton Lundell (15) celebrate after the Florida Panthers score the first against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) blocks a goal against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Edmonton Oilers right wing Connor Brown (28) celebrates after the Edmonton Oilers score their first goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) blocks a goal against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) and center Anton Lundell celebrate a Game 7 goal last spring in the Stanley Cup Final. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Fans celebrate after the Florida Panthers score the first against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) and center Anton Lundell (15) celebrate after the Florida Panthers score the first against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) and center Anton Lundell (15) celebrate after the Florida Panthers score the first against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers fans cheer for their team before they go up against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Fans watch Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett celebrate after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Fans watch Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett celebrate after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) StaffFlorida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Players from the Florida Panthers pose for a photo after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Players from the Florida Panthers pose for a photo after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Edmonton Oilers center Mattias Janmark celebrates after scoring a goal against Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky during the first period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Edmonton Oilers center Mattias Janmark scores a goal against Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky during the first period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Edmonton Oilers center Mattias Janmark scores a goal against Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky during the first period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the first period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky warms up before Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov warms up before Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov moves the puck against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe scores a goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the first period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe scores a goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the first period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe signed an eight-year contract extension with the team before Tuesday's opening win. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk warms up before Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Show Caption1 of 81Florida Panthers Sam Bennett heads to the Atlantic Ocean as he celebrates winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)Expand
While he believes the Miami Dolphins will always be No. 1 here, former star wide receiver O.J. McDuffie, a Fort Lauderdale resident, is unequivocal about his respect for the Panthers.
“Hell, I was going down to Miami Arena when they made the Stanley Cup Final in ’96, the Year of the Rat. Then we had some tough times, but now? Everybody knows it’s a hockey town. This is the place to be,” McDuffie says.
McDuffie attended most of the Panthers’ Stanley Cup Final games last season and, after celebrating their championship win with son Otis until 4 a.m., was notified through friends with the team that the Cup would soon be at the Elbo Room. He was there at 8:30 a.m.
He wanted to celebrate not only the historic win, but honor the team, which he calls “something special.”
“Not only are they a great hockey organization, but they are so involved in the community. Where you see in other sports and other athletes, they’re closed off. These guys go to local bars, they go to local restaurants, they support the local economy,” McDuffie says. “That tells you that these guys are normal guys, guys you could have beers with, guys you can go out to eat with, you know? They’ve got a great culture, man. Such a great culture. When you build something like that, people are going to want to come.”
McDuffie says he sees Dolphins players at Panthers games and believes the leadership of his old team should be taking notes.
“They need to get, by osmosis or something, that kind of atmosphere in Miami Gardens, man,” he says, laughing.
But what does it mean to be a hockey town? It’s an affectionate term associated with NHL cities such as Detroit and Toronto, steeped in tradition and history, with the names of multiple teams etched all over the Stanley Cup. It’s more a lifestyle than an official designation.
We may be lacking in those areas, but Steve Goldstein, longtime TV play-by-play broadcaster for the Panthers on Scripps Sports, says the recent Stanley Cup runs have generated all the telltale enthusiasm and passion of a hockey town. The groundwork is being laid for future generations, he says.
“Over the last few years, I really can’t go anywhere in South Florida without people wanting to talk about the Panthers or hearing people discuss the Panthers. It’s been great to see, and it’s not just the hard-core hockey fan,” Goldstein says. “The Panthers’ success and the style of hockey they play, and the character of their players, have brought many new people into the hockey circle.”
Some of hockey’s growing popularity in South Florida is tied to migration, both new and old. One such fan is Ian Grushka, a New York native who grew up watching the Islanders and New Jersey Devils until his family relocated to South Florida before the Panthers joined the NHL in 1993.
“I was praying we would get a team, and the dream became a reality,” says Grushka, bassist for Coral Springs-bred, pop-punk band New Found Glory, who are bringing their summer world tour to iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach on July 11.
“So many hockey fans have relocated to South Florida. Although some have continued to root for their original favorite team, there are those who’ve made the change and became Panthers fans,” Grushka says.
This edition of the Florida Panthers has continued a long team tradition of engaging fans with their play and their personalities.
For Joe Staple, of Coral Springs, it’s been team captain Aleksander Barkov, one of the NHL’s best all-around players and active in the community. Last week, Barkov won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, given to the player “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.”
“Some of my buddies were at the Elbo Room for that thing with the Cup last year, and that celebration was a really cool thing to do,” Staple says outside Wednesday’s watch party at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale. “They love Chucky (Matthew Tkachuk) and [Sam] Bennett and all the craziness they create, but Barkov’s my guy.
“Great player, of course, but just classy and disciplined and a leader.”
Grushka’s appreciation for the team was cemented by Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle, who provided him with a treasured piece of memorabilia: a game-used helmet with a decal of Grushka’s alma mater, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
“Such a fun and special player to watch. Genuinely cared about the fans,” Grushka says.
Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Steve Glassman is another New York ex-pat who is now a Panthers fan. He went to high school on Long Island with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, and the relationship was rekindled over the past few years as Glassman worked with the Panthers to build a new practice facility, the Baptist Health IcePlex, in his district in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
A $65 million collaboration between the team and the city, which included an extensive renovation of the War Memorial Auditorium, the IcePlex was a game-changer for the Panthers and the culture of downtown Fort Lauderdale from the moment it opened in March 2024.
Bettman was on hand to cut the ribbon on what he called “a magnificent facility.” He told assembled dignitaries and fans: “One of the things the NHL prides itself on is, are teams making a difference in the lives of the people in the communities in which they play? I don’t think there can be any better example than what we’re looking at here.”
The venue includes the expected amenities for the team, including two NHL-quality ice rinks, dressing rooms, treatment facilities and meeting rooms, which have encouraged many Panthers players and coach Paul Maurice to live in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Practices at the IcePlex typically draw small crowds of fans, pens in hand, waiting for players to exit the parking lot. Most roll down their windows and sign.
But most of the building is open to the public, including one of the two ice rinks dedicated to public skating, youth and adult club hockey, and skating instruction. There is also a team store and The Federal restaurant, and the bleachers in the public rink become seating for Panthers watch parties during the playoffs.
“It’s more successful than I even imagined,” Glassman says. “It’s so successful that now … we need to provide about 1,300 parking spaces there. So I’m working on that, a parking garage and paved surface area.”
Glassman, who spent more than 15 years rooting for the Sabres while living in Buffalo, knows a hockey town when he sees one. After the Panthers lost Game 1 in overtime, Glassman says the mood was gloomy the next morning at the pickleball courts at George English Park.
“But they were talking about hockey,” he says. “I am convinced, without a doubt, that we are a hockey town. The spirit is there.”
Melissa Fitzgerald, general manager of the FTL War Memorial and Baptist Health IcePlex, traded a similar job with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks in California for a new role with the Panthers because of the IcePlex project. She was attracted to its location in a diverse, urban center and to owner Vincent Viola’s commitment to expanding the game among minorities and girls.
“We didn’t want to market to people already playing hockey. We really wanted to grow the base and provide an opportunity for another set of participants to be involved, to grow our sport, grow our fan base and grow the love of the game,” Fitzgerald says. “We were really moved, in general, when we opened the doors at the number of people who started pouring in looking for activities in the building and ways to connect to this building. Hockey is definitely an element of that.”
The Panthers have seen a record number of participants in their USA Hockey youth programs, along with 50 adult league teams at the IcePlex.
Shortly before the Game 1 watch party, 11-year-old Greyson Raymond was hustling inside the IcePlex — not for the party, but to practice. Wrestling a duffel bag filled with gear and an uncooperative goalie stick, the Saint Mark’s Episcopal School fifth-grader says he started learning to play hockey at the IcePlex two months ago.
“Ever since the Panthers won the Stanley Cup, I’ve been really interested in playing hockey. It looks like a really cool sport to play. Sergei Bobrovsky’s my favorite player,” he says.
Fort Lauderdale, he says, is definitely “becoming a hockey town.”
“The opening of this Iceplex is one of the examples. I think we have a lot of Panthers fans here, and it’s a really good base for the Panthers to be located in,” Greyson says.
Jenni Morejon, president and CEO at the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority, estimates that the Panthers’ three recent Stanley Cup Final runs have generated more than $100 million in economic impact.
“The Panthers have shown what happens when sports, civic pride and community investment come together,” Morejon says, citing a cultural shift that has “transformed downtown from a place people passed through into a place they want to stay. People want to be near the team, near the energy, and part of something bigger.”
The Panthers’ influence radiates across the community in interesting ways: Matthew Tkachuk loves Ann’s Florist & Coffee Bar on Las Olas; Sergei Bobrovsky lunches at Caffé Europa; Cajun restaurant Shuck N Dive sponsors a beer-league hockey team, the Saints, at Baptist Health IcePlex, a few blocks away.
During last year’s Stanley Cup magical goodwill tour around South Florida, a Panthers staffer surprised patrons by walking into Shuck N Dive in September with the trophy, setting off a social-media frenzy. The Shuck N Dive Saints, led by captain Sal Lucania, were celebrating their own league title with a trophy made out of a beer keg.
Shuck N Dive co-owner Danny Stasi says the restaurant has become so busy for Panthers games that he has turned a back room into The Five Hole Tavern during the playoffs.
“I’m definitely seeing the uptick in interest, especially downtown, with the IcePlex being so close,” Stasi says. “It’s nice to have it so local, being the only sports team in Broward County, I think that is also a huge reason for the interest.”
Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at [email protected].
Continue reading...
“We’re going to the Stanley Cup! Go Panthers!” the red-clad celebrants yelled out the window, waving arms and flags as they disappeared into an otherwise quiet Saturday night in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Onlookers shared polite waves from the cafe, if they responded at all, and returned to their cocktails and conversation. What was that all about? South Florida has hockey? Who knew?
Nearly 30 years later, everyone knows: South Florida is all about hockey.
As the Stanley Cup-winning Panthers return to their home ice on Monday seeking a second consecutive NHL championship, interest in the team and the sport is at an all-time high, with arena-sized watch parties, jerseys at the office, a jump in TV viewership and a record number of participants in the Panthers’ youth hockey programs.
After three consecutive appearances in the Stanley Cup Final, each seemingly more exciting than the last, it’s fair to ask: Is Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, South Florida now a hockey town?
Bill Lindsay, who scored a pivotal goal to help get the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Final in 1996, does not mince words.
“South Florida is a hockey town. Maybe not in the traditional sense, but it has become a staple of many communities throughout South Florida. From the Panthers’ arrival in 1993, the roots were planted, and the growth has been tremendous,” says Lindsay, now the radio color analyst for Panthers games on WQAM-560.
Related Articles
- New to the Florida Panthers bandwagon? How to sound like you’ve been a fan forever
- Rematch time: A game-by-game look at Panthers-Oilers 2024 Stanley Cup Final
“Never in my wildest imagination when I arrived in ’93 could I have ever envisioned that hockey would be like it is now. The rinks, the fans, the thirst and desire for hockey is remarkable. Yes, South Florida is a hockey town, home of the champs. Imagine all the possibilities that lie ahead,” he says.
South Florida loves sports, of course, and we have seen this kind of adulation before, especially when there are championship trophies involved.
For more than 50 years, the Miami Dolphins and the Super Bowl-winning 1972 Perfect Season have owned the hearts of even casual South Florida sports fans — and the record-setting excellence of Dolphins QB Dan Marino made him the most popular local athlete of all time.
At the turn of the century, the then-Florida Marlins were watercooler darlings with talk about Livan Hernandez, then Josh Beckett extinguishing the Yankees. In 2006, the Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade was a local deity, and the celebrity spotlight of the LeBron James years may never be surpassed. Unless you consider the recent arrival of Lionel Messi, the most famous athlete in the world when he began playing for Inter Miami at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale in 2023.
But South Florida residents, especially in and around Fort Lauderdale, seem to have developed a unique fondness for these Panthers — with their blue-collar style of hockey and the good feels produced by a bunch of fun-loving, beer-drinking dudes who celebrated their 2024 Stanley Cup win by taking the NHL’s venerable trophy to a beach dive bar, the Elbo Room.
Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk celebrates winning the the Stanley Cup in the Atlantic Ocean near Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers Aaron Ekblad heads to the Atlantic Ocean as he celebrates winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk celebrates winning the the Stanley Cup in the Atlantic Ocean near Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers fans celebrate as they head to the Atlantic Ocean to celebrate winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers Anthony Stolarz, Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk sing "We Are The Champions" as they celebrate winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk, left, Aaron Ekblad and Sam Bennett celebrate in the Atlantic Ocean after winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Bartender Adam Ginsberg celebrates the Florida Panthers winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk celebrates winning the the Stanley Cup in the Atlantic Ocean near Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk celebrates winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Fan Greg Swick drinks beer from the Stanley Cup as the Florida Panthers celebrate winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett as they celebrate winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Fans take photos as the Florida Panthers celebrate winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk celebrates winning the the Stanley Cup in the Atlantic Ocean near Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Bartender Adam Ginsberg celebrates the Florida Panthers winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers Anthony Stolarz and Matthew Tkachuk pour beer from the cup onto the crowd as they celebrate winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday morning, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Fans cheer as the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) A fan cheers as the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) A fan and his sign before the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Cliff Brush, 34, with his dog, Brodie, rinkside as the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Panthers center Sam Reinhart hoists the Stanley Cup trophy after winning Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on June 24. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The Florida Panthers pose for photos with the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The Florida Panthers bench erupts as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) passes the Stanley Cup Trophy to Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers right wing Kyle Okposo (8) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers defenseman Josh Mahura (28) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) is presented with the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) hoists the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov (16) is presented with the Stanley Cup Trophy after they won Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The team celebrates as Florida Panthers win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The Florida Panthers celebrate as they win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The team celebrates as Florida Panthers win Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The bench celebrates as Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) scores the second goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The bench celebrates as Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) scores the second goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The bench celebrates as Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) scores the second goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) and center Anton Lundell (15) celebrate after the Florida Panthers score the first against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) protests the net as Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) goes in the air in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) scores the second goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) The team celebrates as Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) scores the second goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) and center Anton Lundell (15) celebrate after the Florida Panthers score the first against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) blocks a goal against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Edmonton Oilers right wing Connor Brown (28) celebrates after the Edmonton Oilers score their first goal in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) blocks a goal against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) and center Anton Lundell celebrate a Game 7 goal last spring in the Stanley Cup Final. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Fans celebrate after the Florida Panthers score the first against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) and center Anton Lundell (15) celebrate after the Florida Panthers score the first against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe (23) and center Anton Lundell (15) celebrate after the Florida Panthers score the first against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers fans cheer for their team before they go up against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 of Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Fans watch Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett celebrate after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Fans watch Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett celebrate after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) StaffFlorida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett celebrates after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Players from the Florida Panthers pose for a photo after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Players from the Florida Panthers pose for a photo after winning the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Edmonton Oilers center Mattias Janmark celebrates after scoring a goal against Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky during the first period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Edmonton Oilers center Mattias Janmark scores a goal against Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky during the first period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Edmonton Oilers center Mattias Janmark scores a goal against Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky during the first period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the first period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky warms up before Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov warms up before Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov moves the puck against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe scores a goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the first period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe scores a goal against Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner during the first period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers center Carter Verhaeghe signed an eight-year contract extension with the team before Tuesday's opening win. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk warms up before Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise on Monday, June 24, 2024. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Show Caption1 of 81Florida Panthers Sam Bennett heads to the Atlantic Ocean as he celebrates winning the the Stanley Cup at Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, June 25, 2024. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel)Expand
While he believes the Miami Dolphins will always be No. 1 here, former star wide receiver O.J. McDuffie, a Fort Lauderdale resident, is unequivocal about his respect for the Panthers.
“Hell, I was going down to Miami Arena when they made the Stanley Cup Final in ’96, the Year of the Rat. Then we had some tough times, but now? Everybody knows it’s a hockey town. This is the place to be,” McDuffie says.
McDuffie attended most of the Panthers’ Stanley Cup Final games last season and, after celebrating their championship win with son Otis until 4 a.m., was notified through friends with the team that the Cup would soon be at the Elbo Room. He was there at 8:30 a.m.
He wanted to celebrate not only the historic win, but honor the team, which he calls “something special.”
“Not only are they a great hockey organization, but they are so involved in the community. Where you see in other sports and other athletes, they’re closed off. These guys go to local bars, they go to local restaurants, they support the local economy,” McDuffie says. “That tells you that these guys are normal guys, guys you could have beers with, guys you can go out to eat with, you know? They’ve got a great culture, man. Such a great culture. When you build something like that, people are going to want to come.”
McDuffie says he sees Dolphins players at Panthers games and believes the leadership of his old team should be taking notes.
“They need to get, by osmosis or something, that kind of atmosphere in Miami Gardens, man,” he says, laughing.
New found glory
But what does it mean to be a hockey town? It’s an affectionate term associated with NHL cities such as Detroit and Toronto, steeped in tradition and history, with the names of multiple teams etched all over the Stanley Cup. It’s more a lifestyle than an official designation.
We may be lacking in those areas, but Steve Goldstein, longtime TV play-by-play broadcaster for the Panthers on Scripps Sports, says the recent Stanley Cup runs have generated all the telltale enthusiasm and passion of a hockey town. The groundwork is being laid for future generations, he says.
“Over the last few years, I really can’t go anywhere in South Florida without people wanting to talk about the Panthers or hearing people discuss the Panthers. It’s been great to see, and it’s not just the hard-core hockey fan,” Goldstein says. “The Panthers’ success and the style of hockey they play, and the character of their players, have brought many new people into the hockey circle.”
Some of hockey’s growing popularity in South Florida is tied to migration, both new and old. One such fan is Ian Grushka, a New York native who grew up watching the Islanders and New Jersey Devils until his family relocated to South Florida before the Panthers joined the NHL in 1993.
“I was praying we would get a team, and the dream became a reality,” says Grushka, bassist for Coral Springs-bred, pop-punk band New Found Glory, who are bringing their summer world tour to iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach on July 11.
“So many hockey fans have relocated to South Florida. Although some have continued to root for their original favorite team, there are those who’ve made the change and became Panthers fans,” Grushka says.
This edition of the Florida Panthers has continued a long team tradition of engaging fans with their play and their personalities.
For Joe Staple, of Coral Springs, it’s been team captain Aleksander Barkov, one of the NHL’s best all-around players and active in the community. Last week, Barkov won the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, given to the player “who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community.”
“Some of my buddies were at the Elbo Room for that thing with the Cup last year, and that celebration was a really cool thing to do,” Staple says outside Wednesday’s watch party at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale. “They love Chucky (Matthew Tkachuk) and [Sam] Bennett and all the craziness they create, but Barkov’s my guy.
“Great player, of course, but just classy and disciplined and a leader.”
Grushka’s appreciation for the team was cemented by Panthers defenseman Keith Yandle, who provided him with a treasured piece of memorabilia: a game-used helmet with a decal of Grushka’s alma mater, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
“Such a fun and special player to watch. Genuinely cared about the fans,” Grushka says.
IcePlex a game-changer
Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Steve Glassman is another New York ex-pat who is now a Panthers fan. He went to high school on Long Island with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, and the relationship was rekindled over the past few years as Glassman worked with the Panthers to build a new practice facility, the Baptist Health IcePlex, in his district in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
A $65 million collaboration between the team and the city, which included an extensive renovation of the War Memorial Auditorium, the IcePlex was a game-changer for the Panthers and the culture of downtown Fort Lauderdale from the moment it opened in March 2024.
Bettman was on hand to cut the ribbon on what he called “a magnificent facility.” He told assembled dignitaries and fans: “One of the things the NHL prides itself on is, are teams making a difference in the lives of the people in the communities in which they play? I don’t think there can be any better example than what we’re looking at here.”
The venue includes the expected amenities for the team, including two NHL-quality ice rinks, dressing rooms, treatment facilities and meeting rooms, which have encouraged many Panthers players and coach Paul Maurice to live in downtown Fort Lauderdale.
Practices at the IcePlex typically draw small crowds of fans, pens in hand, waiting for players to exit the parking lot. Most roll down their windows and sign.
But most of the building is open to the public, including one of the two ice rinks dedicated to public skating, youth and adult club hockey, and skating instruction. There is also a team store and The Federal restaurant, and the bleachers in the public rink become seating for Panthers watch parties during the playoffs.
“It’s more successful than I even imagined,” Glassman says. “It’s so successful that now … we need to provide about 1,300 parking spaces there. So I’m working on that, a parking garage and paved surface area.”
Glassman, who spent more than 15 years rooting for the Sabres while living in Buffalo, knows a hockey town when he sees one. After the Panthers lost Game 1 in overtime, Glassman says the mood was gloomy the next morning at the pickleball courts at George English Park.
“But they were talking about hockey,” he says. “I am convinced, without a doubt, that we are a hockey town. The spirit is there.”
A new generation
Melissa Fitzgerald, general manager of the FTL War Memorial and Baptist Health IcePlex, traded a similar job with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks in California for a new role with the Panthers because of the IcePlex project. She was attracted to its location in a diverse, urban center and to owner Vincent Viola’s commitment to expanding the game among minorities and girls.
“We didn’t want to market to people already playing hockey. We really wanted to grow the base and provide an opportunity for another set of participants to be involved, to grow our sport, grow our fan base and grow the love of the game,” Fitzgerald says. “We were really moved, in general, when we opened the doors at the number of people who started pouring in looking for activities in the building and ways to connect to this building. Hockey is definitely an element of that.”
The Panthers have seen a record number of participants in their USA Hockey youth programs, along with 50 adult league teams at the IcePlex.
Shortly before the Game 1 watch party, 11-year-old Greyson Raymond was hustling inside the IcePlex — not for the party, but to practice. Wrestling a duffel bag filled with gear and an uncooperative goalie stick, the Saint Mark’s Episcopal School fifth-grader says he started learning to play hockey at the IcePlex two months ago.
“Ever since the Panthers won the Stanley Cup, I’ve been really interested in playing hockey. It looks like a really cool sport to play. Sergei Bobrovsky’s my favorite player,” he says.
Fort Lauderdale, he says, is definitely “becoming a hockey town.”
“The opening of this Iceplex is one of the examples. I think we have a lot of Panthers fans here, and it’s a really good base for the Panthers to be located in,” Greyson says.
Good business
Jenni Morejon, president and CEO at the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority, estimates that the Panthers’ three recent Stanley Cup Final runs have generated more than $100 million in economic impact.
“The Panthers have shown what happens when sports, civic pride and community investment come together,” Morejon says, citing a cultural shift that has “transformed downtown from a place people passed through into a place they want to stay. People want to be near the team, near the energy, and part of something bigger.”
The Panthers’ influence radiates across the community in interesting ways: Matthew Tkachuk loves Ann’s Florist & Coffee Bar on Las Olas; Sergei Bobrovsky lunches at Caffé Europa; Cajun restaurant Shuck N Dive sponsors a beer-league hockey team, the Saints, at Baptist Health IcePlex, a few blocks away.
During last year’s Stanley Cup magical goodwill tour around South Florida, a Panthers staffer surprised patrons by walking into Shuck N Dive in September with the trophy, setting off a social-media frenzy. The Shuck N Dive Saints, led by captain Sal Lucania, were celebrating their own league title with a trophy made out of a beer keg.
Shuck N Dive co-owner Danny Stasi says the restaurant has become so busy for Panthers games that he has turned a back room into The Five Hole Tavern during the playoffs.
“I’m definitely seeing the uptick in interest, especially downtown, with the IcePlex being so close,” Stasi says. “It’s nice to have it so local, being the only sports team in Broward County, I think that is also a huge reason for the interest.”
Staff writer Ben Crandell can be reached at [email protected].
Continue reading...
