The Florida Panthers’ journey to the Stanley Cup was nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster, filled with grit, resilience, and a fanbase that never stopped believing. Since their debut in 1993 as a scrappy expansion team, the Panthers have been the heart (and occasionally the heartbreak) of South Florida hockey.
It all began with a bang—or rather, a rat. In only their third season, the Panthers clawed their way into the 1995-96 Stanley Cup Finals, earning their place as one of the NHL’s unlikeliest success stories. Along the way, a bizarre locker-room incident became legendary: forward Scott Mellanby swatted a rat with his stick before a game, then went on to score two goals, sparking the now-famous “rat trick.” Fans flooded the ice with plastic rats after goals, creating a chaotic, unforgettable playoff atmosphere.
Lifelong Panthers fan and longtime season ticket holder David Lopatin recalled that “Back in 1996, we were winning games in the playoffs. We literally had thousands of rats coming down after every goal, and they would have to stop play for 5 to 10 minutes. The other goalie would be hiding under their own net. It was awesome.”
Though the Panthers ultimately fell to the Colorado Avalanche in the Finals, that season cemented their identity as a team that punches above its weight—and as the darlings of South Florida’s sports scene.
Then came the drought. For nearly two decades, the Panthers were stuck in hockey purgatory, teasing fans with flashes of brilliance but never quite delivering the magic of ’96. Sure, there were highlights—Pavel Bure lighting up scoreboards, Roberto Luongo’s clutch goaltending—but playoff appearances were exceedingly rare.
“We weren’t good at that time,” said Lopatin. “But there wasn’t much of an expectation, that they were going to be that good. My family went to the games to enjoy watching professional hockey.”
Lopatin’s faith, like that of many Panthers fans, finally started to pay off in the mid-2010s. With a new wave of young stars like Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Aaron Ekblad, the franchise laid the groundwork for a renaissance.
Ransom Everglades student Kaitlyn Lemus ’27 had followed the Panthers casually, but this era of hockey reignited her passion for the team. “I had been a fan on and off for a couple of years” she recalled. But it was the Panthers’ 2021-22 season that truly won her over. That year, the Panthers clinched the best record in the league, showcasing their explosive offense and newfound resilience. Although they fell short in the playoffs, the seeds of greatness were firmly planted.
Hired in 2020 to strengthen the team, General Manager Bill Zito reshaped the franchise with moves that balanced building a strong core with bold, high-impact decisions. One of his defining moments came in the summer of 2022, when he hired veteran coach Paul Maurice to instill a disciplined, defense-first mentality while still harnessing the team’s offensive talent.
A surprise to many, Maurice had stepped down midseason from his previous position with the Winnipeg Jets. But for Florida, he brought exactly what the team needed: experience, composure, and a deep understanding of the game.
“At first it seemed like this guy had no idea what he was doing,” Lopatin said. “But you must have patience. We have to play a certain type of hockey to be able to win in the playoffs. And Maurice did just that.”
The Panthers’ transformation was on full display during their electrifying 2023 Stanley Cup run. Entering the playoffs as a wild card, they embraced their underdog status, defeating the NHL record-setting Boston Bruins in a dramatic seven-game first-round series. Fueled by Sergei Bobrovsky’s elite goaltending and Matthew Tkachuk’s knack for clutch goals, the Panthers carried that momentum through the Toronto Maple Leafs and Carolina Hurricanes to reach their first Stanley Cup Final since 1996.
“Tkachuk made all the difference to the world because he took all the pressure off players and was able to play very aggressive, get in other team’s faces, and make the Florida Panthers a tough team to play,” Lopatin said.
Though they fell to the Vegas Golden Knights in the finals, the 2023 postseason proved the team was no longer a perennial underachiever—they were legitimate contenders. “Even though we lost, it was still amazing to watch” recalled Lemus.
“That year was incredible just because nobody anticipated that was going to happen. Almost like the ’96 team” said Lopatin. “No one anticipated that we were going to be able to make it to the finals. The team just ran out of steam. They were very injured, and they didn’t make it over the hump. And when you lose in the finals like that, it is so hard to win the Stanley Cup the next year. I think it’s the hardest championship to win in all of sports.”
Building on that foundation, the 2023-24 season saw the Panthers evolve into a battle-hardened team with their sights firmly set on the Cup. Despite injuries and midseason struggles, Maurice’s leadership and the core players’ resilience kept them on course. In the playoffs, the Panthers once again defied expectations, storming through the Eastern Conference and earning a rematch against another powerhouse—this time, the Edmonton Oilers.
In a thrilling seven-game series, the Panthers delivered their finest performance. Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart solidified their reputations as franchise cornerstones, while Barkov’s leadership and Bobrovsky’s steadfast goaltending proved indispensable. Game 7 at Amerant Bank Arena was a storybook ending for the Panthers and their fans, as they clinched a 2-1 victory to lift the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history.
“It was awesome, even as someone who doesn’t actively follow the team as much as I used to. It’s great to see them grow,” Lemus said.
The Panthers’ remarkable journey to their first Stanley Cup victory in 2024 was more than just a triumph on the ice—it was a testament to resilience, reinvention, and a fanbase that never wavered in its support. This historic moment brought South Florida’s hockey culture full circle, reconnecting the franchise with its scrappy, underdog roots from the magical 1996 season.
Even today, the traditions that define Panthers hockey endure, none more emblematic than the iconic “rat trick.” Now, the rat toss after a victory is a nod to the past, honoring the spirit of those early years while keeping the magic alive for new generations of fans.
“We still have the rat throwing at the end of games, at the end of victories, and I think that’s a really special tradition” added Lopatin.
As the Panthers hoisted the Stanley Cup in front of a roaring Amerant Bank Arena, the energy was electric—fans chanting, rats flying, and years of heartbreak melting away into pure joy. But even as the celebrations faded, one thing was clear: this wasn’t the end of the story. With a championship banner now hanging in the rafters, the Panthers entered the 2024-25 season with a target on their backs, no longer the scrappy underdogs but the team to beat. The question wasn’t whether they could compete, but whether they could do it again.
So far, they’ve answered with confidence. Through 58 games, the Panthers boast a 34-21-3 record, leading the NHL Atlantic Division with 71 points. Their offense ranks 4th in the league, netting 189 goals, while their defense stands 16th, allowing 167 goals. Reinhart continues to lead the team with 31 goals and 31 assists, bringing his signature grit and offensive firepower. Captain Barkov remains the two-way force at the heart of the team, contributing 14 goals and 38 assists. Bobrovsky, fresh off his playoff heroics, has shown no signs of slowing down in net, posting a .903 save percentage and 2.65 goals-against average. With key returning players and emerging talents stepping up, Florida is proving that their Cup run wasn’t a one-time miracle but the foundation of a new powerhouse. The season is long, and the competition fierce, but one thing is certain—the Panthers are here to stay.
