The
Florida Panthers are a professional
ice hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in
Sunrise, Florida-Overview:Sunrise is a city in southwestern Broward County, Florida, United States. It was incorporated in 1961 by Norman Johnson – a developer whose World Famous Upside-Down House attracted buyers to what was then a remote area...
, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the
Southeast DivisionThe NHL's Southeast Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Eastern Conference due to expansion.The Southeast Division is the only one of the six divisions that does not have a precursor from the Wales/Campbell conference era ....
of the
Eastern ConferenceThe Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
of the
National Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). They play their games at the
BankAtlantic CenterThe BankAtlantic Center is an indoor arena located in Sunrise, Florida, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and adjacent to the popular Sawgrass Mills Mall.The arena features 70 suites & 2,623 club seats.The arena is directly accessible from the Sawgrass Expressway...
in Sunrise and are the southernmost team in the NHL. The Panthers have been one of the least successful teams in League history, holding the eighth-worst record in NHL history among active teams when measured in points percentage (points divided by maximum points), and having made the playoffs only 3 times in their 17 seasons, which translates to 17.6%, third worst among active teams. They made one trip to the
Stanley Cup FinalsThe Stanley Cup Finals is the championship series to determine the winner of the Stanley Cup, emblematic of the professional club championship of ice hockey. Although the Cup itself has existed since 1893, an annual championship series between professional teams was not established until 1913...
in 1996, losing to the
Colorado AvalancheThe Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
in four games.
1990s
Blockbuster Video magnate H. Wayne Huizenga was awarded an NHL franchise for Miami on December 10, 1992. Huizenga hired
Detroit Red WingsThe Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
coach and general manager Bryan Murray as the franchise's first GM following the 1992-93 season.
The new franchise joined the league along with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The team is named for the
Florida pantherThe Florida panther is an endangered subspecies of cougar that lives in forests and swamps of southern Florida in the United States. Its current taxonomic status is unresolved, but recent genetic research alone does not alter the legal conservation status...
, an endangered species of large cat endemic to the nearby
EvergladesThe Everglades are subtropical wetlands in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, comprising the southern half of a large watershed. The system begins near Orlando with the Kissimmee River, which discharges into the vast but shallow Lake Okeechobee...
.
The Panthers took part in the 1993 NHL draft hosted by
Quebec CityQuebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
; that draft produced ten players who would be a part of the 1996
Eastern ConferenceThe Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
championship team.
Initial season 1993-94
The team played at the
Miami ArenaThe Miami Arena was an indoor arena in Miami, Florida.-History:Completed in 1988, at a cost of $52.5 million, its opening took business away from the Hollywood Sportatorium and eventually led to its demise...
sharing the building with the
Miami HeatThe Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
, and its first major stars were
New York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
goaltenderIn ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
castoff
John VanbiesbrouckJohn "Beezer" Vanbiesbrouck is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender, who was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007. He played in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils...
,
rookieRookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
Rob NiedermayerRobert W. Niedermayer, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Lugano of the National League A in Switzerland. He also played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres...
, and
Scott MellanbyScott Edgar Mellanby is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He primarily played right wing throughout his career, on occasion shifting over to the left side. He is the son of former Hockey Night in Canada producer Ralph Mellanby. He is currently the assistant coach of the St...
, who scored 30 goals. Their first game was a 4-4 tie on the road against the
Chicago BlackhawksThe Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
. The first win in franchise history was a 2-0 shutout of the
Tampa Bay LightningThe Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
in the
ThunderdomeTropicana Field is a domed stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida, which has been the home of Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays since the team's inaugural season in 1998, when they were the Devil Rays. It has also served as the host stadium for the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl, an NCAA-sanctioned college...
before a then-NHL record crowd of 27,227. The Panthers had one of the most successful first seasons of any
expansion teamAn expansion team is a brand new team in a sports league. The term is most commonly used in reference to the North American major professional sports leagues, but is applied to sports leagues worldwide that use a closed franchise system of league membership. The term comes from the expansion of the...
(and the best first year of any NHL team), finishing one point below .500 and narrowly missing out on the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Their first-year success was attributed mainly to the "
trap defenseThe neutral zone trap is a defensive strategy used in ice hockey to prevent an opposing team from proceeding through the neutral zone to force turnovers...
" that first-year coach
Roger NeilsonRoger Paul Neilson, CM was a National Hockey League coach, and was responsible for many innovations in the game...
implemented. This conservative style was widely criticized by NHL teams; some even suggested that the Panthers were ruining the game at the time.
After another close brush with the playoffs in 1994–95, Neilson was fired and replaced by
Doug MacLeanDouglas MacLean, is a Canadian sportscaster and former ice hockey coach and general manager...
. The team then acquired
Ray SheppardRaymond Sheppard is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played in the NHL from 1987 to 2000.Sheppard was selected 60th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. He played 817 career NHL games, scoring 357 goals and 300 assists for 657 points...
from the
San Jose SharksThe San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
at the trade deadline in 1995–96 and looked toward the playoffs for the first time. Also during that season, a very unusual goal celebration developed in Miami. On the night of the Panthers' 1995–96 home opener, a
ratRats are various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents of the superfamily Muroidea. "True rats" are members of the genus Rattus, the most important of which to humans are the black rat, Rattus rattus, and the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus...
scurried across the team's locker room. Mellanby reacted by "
one-timingA one timer is an ice hockey shot that occurs when a player meets a teammate's pass with an immediate slapshot, without any attempt to control the puck on his stick. An effective one timer requires precise timing on the part of both players involved, especially the shooter. This play often results...
" the rat against the wall, killing it. That night, he scored two goals, which Vanbiesbrouck quipped was "a
rat trickThe rat trick was a gimmick popularized by fans of the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League during their 1995–96 season and trip to the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals...
." Two nights later, as the story found its way into the world, a few fans threw rubber rats on the ice in celebration of a goal. The
rubberNatural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...
rat count went from 16 for the third home game to over 2,000 during the playoffs.
Run to the Cup final
In the 1996 playoffs, as the fourth seed, the Panthers faced the
Boston BruinsThe Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
in the first round and won in five games.
Bill LindsayWilliam Hamilton Lindsay is an American retired ice hockey player. He has played in the National Hockey League for the Quebec Nordiques, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, San Jose Sharks, Montreal Canadiens and the Atlanta Thrashers. He was drafted 103rd overall by the Nordiques in the 1991 NHL...
's famous series-clinching goal is still a trademark image for the incredible run the third-year franchise went on. The Panthers went on to upset the top-seeded
Philadelphia FlyersThe Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in six games and then the second-seeded
Pittsburgh PenguinsThe Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
in seven (with Tom Fitzgerald scoring what would end up being the game-winning goal) to reach the
Stanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
Final. Their opponent, the
Colorado AvalancheThe Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
, swept the Panthers in four games.
Uwe KruppUwe G. Krupp is a retired German professional hockey defenceman and current coach of the German national ice hockey team. Following Walt Tkaczuk, Krupp was only the second German-born player to have a lasting career in the National Hockey League...
scored the winning goal on a slap shot from the blue line for the Avalanche in the third overtime of Game 4 to defeat the Panthers 1-0. Colorado was led by captain
Joe SakicJoseph Steven "Joe" Sakic is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player and current hockey executive. He played his entire National Hockey League career with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise. In his 20-year tenure, Sakic won the Stanley Cup twice, captured numerous NHL...
in the franchise's first year in Denver after moving from
Quebec CityQuebec , also Québec, Quebec City or Québec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located within the Capitale-Nationale region. It is the second most populous city in Quebec after Montreal, which is about to the southwest...
. GM Murray was honored as NHL Executive of the Year.
Struggles
The Panthers would begin the next season with a 17–game unbeaten streak but faded in the second half of the season. They lost in the first round of the playoffs to the
Wayne GretzkyWayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
-led Rangers in five games.
The 1997–98 season would be a return to mediocrity for the Panthers. After a 7–12–4 start, the Panthers fired MacLean, replacing him for the season with general manager Bryan Murray. The change did not aid matters, as Florida suffered a franchise-worst 24–43–15 record, including a 15–game winless streak. This season would also mark the end of Vanbiesbrouck's time in Florida; in the midst of that streak, he was shelled by the
Chicago BlackhawksThe Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
and never played another game for the Panthers. He would sign with the Flyers that off-season as a free agent.
The Panthers moved into the brand new National Car Rental Center (now known as
BankAtlantic CenterThe BankAtlantic Center is an indoor arena located in Sunrise, Florida, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and adjacent to the popular Sawgrass Mills Mall.The arena features 70 suites & 2,623 club seats.The arena is directly accessible from the Sawgrass Expressway...
) in 1998. In 1998–99, they acquired
Pavel BurePavel Vladimirovich Bure is a retired Russian professional ice hockey right winger. Nicknamed "The Russian Rocket" for his speed, Bure played for 12 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
(the "Russian Rocket"), in a blockbuster trade with the
Vancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
. They reached the playoffs again in 1999–2000, losing in a first-round sweep to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion
New Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
2000s
The team slumped in 2000–01. The following season, 2001–02, the Panthers had their worst record ever. Bure struggled despite being reunited with his brother
ValeriValeri Vladimirovich Bure is a retired professional ice hockey right winger from Russia. He played ten seasons in the National Hockey League...
, and was traded to the Rangers at the 2002 trading deadline.
The Panthers then started coveting defenceman
Jay BouwmeesterJay Daniel Bouwmeester is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and an alternate captain of the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was a first round selection, third overall, of the Florida Panthers at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft...
, who was widely tipped to be picked first overall in the
2002 draftThe 2002 NHL Entry Draft was held June 22–23 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. 291 players were drafted in total: 35 from the OHL; 23 from the QMJHL; 43 from the WHL; 41 from the NCAA; 6 from U.S high schools and 110 from outside North America....
. But then-General Manager
Rick DudleyRichard Clarence Dudley is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. Dudley was previously the general manager of several hockey teams. Dudley played in the World Hockey Association and in the National Hockey League. Dudley has also served as a head coach in the National...
sent Florida's first pick to the
Columbus Blue JacketsThe Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, who took winger
Rick NashRick Nash is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger and captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League ....
. The
Atlanta ThrashersThe Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
, after picking goalie
Kari LehtonenKari Lehtonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League...
second overall, announced that the Panthers had given them two draft picks to guarantee that Bouwmeester would still be available for Florida's selection. Bouwmeester was selected third overall by the Panthers. Said then-head coach
Mike KeenanMichael Edward Keenan is a former head coach in the National Hockey League , most recently with the Calgary Flames, and former General Manager of the Florida Panthers. He is currently working as an analyst for the New York Rangers on MSG Network.Keenan was a player for the St...
, "We shouldn’t have done that ... Jay would have been number-one if we'd kept that pick."
In 2003, the Panthers hosted the NHL All-Star Weekend in which the
Western ConferenceThe Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
earned a 6–5 victory after the first OT shootout in All-Star history. The West overcame a four-goal outburst by Thrashers winger
Dany HeatleyDaniel James Heatley is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger, and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002...
, who took home MVP honors in his first All-Star Game.
On June 23, 2006, the Panthers were again involved in a blockbuster trade with the
Vancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
, sending
Roberto LuongoRoberto Luongo is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . Born in Montreal, Quebec, he is of Italian and Irish ancestry. He employs the butterfly style of goaltending...
,
Lukas KrajicekLukáš Krajíček is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for HC Dinamo Minsk of the KHL. He previously played in the National Hockey League for the Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, Tampa Bay Lightning and Philadelphia Flyers and in the Czech Extraliga for the HC Oceláři...
, and a sixth-round draft pick (
Sergei ShirokovSergei Sergeyevich Shirokov is a Russian professional ice hockey winger currently with HC CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League . Drafted 163rd overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, he is a prospect for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League...
) in exchange for
Todd BertuzziTodd Bertuzzi is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
,
Alex AuldAlexander Auld is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . Auld has also played for the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, Phoenix Coyotes, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens and Dallas Stars of the NHL...
, and Bryan Allen. This trade has been regarded by some as one of the worst trades in professional sports history. Luongo who was and still is at the prime of his career is one of the top goalies in the NHL. Bertuzzi only played a handful of games for the Cats before getting injured. He would be traded to Detroit Red Wings at the trade deadline for
Shawn MatthiasShawn Matthias is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
. Alex Auld ended up being a poor replacement for the Panthers former franchise goalie and was let go after one season.
On June 22, 2007, the Florida Panthers were involved in yet another draft day deal involving a goalie. The Florida Panthers acquired
Tomas VokounTomáš Vokoun is a Czech professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
from the
Nashville PredatorsThe Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in exchange for three draft picks, a first round pick in 2008, a second round pick in 2008, and a conditional second round pick that can be used in 2007 or 2008. The move would eventually pay off when Vokoun was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star team.
On July 28, 2007, the Florida Panthers unveiled their new jerseys to over 11,000 fans at the BankAtlantic Center during the first intermission of the Panthers 1996 Reunion game. Star forwards Nathan Horton and Stephen Weiss were both in full gear to help showcase the sweater changes.
In June 2008, the Panthers traded their captain
Olli JokinenOlli Jokinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1997, third overall after Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. He was the captain of the Florida Panthers from 2003...
to the
Phoenix CoyotesThe Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
for a second round draft pick and two defensemen:
Keith BallardKeith Ballard is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently a member of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . He played college hockey for the Minnesota Golden Gophers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association for three seasons...
and
Nick BoyntonNicholas Carl Boynton is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently an unrestricted free agent.-Playing career:...
.
The Panthers finished the
2008–09The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
season with a strong 41-30-11 record and 93 points, their second best ever in franchise history. Despite this, however, the Panthers missed the playoffs for an eighth straight season, the current longest streak in the NHL.
On November 23, 2009 the Panthers made their third jersey, ridding red from the alternate jersey, replacing it with powder blue.
The Florida Panthers missed the playoffs for the 9th consecutive time in the 2009-10 NHL Season, making them the first team in NHL history to do so in one city. On March 25, 2011, the Panthers lost to the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 mathematically eliminating them from the postseason for an NHL record 10th consecutive season.
2010s
In an attempt to bring playoff hockey back to South Florida, the Panthers management hired Dale Tallon as the team's new general manager on May 17, 2010. Tallon had previously been GM in Chicago where he helped to build the Blackhawks team that eventually won the
Stanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
. He quickly made his mark at the
2010 NHL Entry DraftThe 2010 NHL Entry Draft was the 48th NHL Entry Draft, held on June 25–26, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, home arena of the Los Angeles Kings. This was the first time Los Angeles hosted the NHL Entry Draft. An unofficial record of 11 American-trained players were selected in...
by drafting 13 players including
Erik GudbransonErik Gudbranson is a Canadian ice hockey player who currently plays for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League...
and
Quinton HowdenQuinton Howden is a Canadian junior ice hockey player who currently plays for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League...
. Also during the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, a trade was made with the Vancouver Canucks to send
Steve BernierSteve Bernier is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger with the Albany Devils of the American Hockey League...
and
Michael GrabnerMichael René Grabner is an Austrian professional ice hockey player playing for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League . Grabner grew up playing for the local team in Villach, EC VSV. He moved to North America at the age of 17 and joined the Spokane Chiefs of the major junior Western...
and the Canucks first round choice in the draft, the twenty-fifth selection (used to select Quinton Howden) to the Panthers for
Keith BallardKeith Ballard is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently a member of the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . He played college hockey for the Minnesota Golden Gophers of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association for three seasons...
and
Victor OreskovichVictor J. Oreskovich is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently playing with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League within the Vancouver Canucks organization of the National Hockey League...
. He also made a trade with the
Chicago BlackhawksThe Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
to acquire
Marty ReasonerMartin Reasoner, is an American professional ice hockey center for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League . He has also played for the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers and Atlanta Thrashers...
shortly after the draft.
He continued the rebuild of the franchise with the move to loan
Steven ReinprechtSteven Edward "Steve" Reinprecht is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing in the Vancouver Canucks organization. He most recently played on loan for Adler Mannheim of the German Deutsche Eishockey Liga ....
to the Mannheim Eagles of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. He also traded forward
Michael FrolikMichael Frolík is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
and goaltender
Alexander SalakAlexander Salák , is a professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing with the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League.-Early Career in Czech Republic:...
to Chicago for forwards
Jack SkilleJack Skille is an American professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League . He was previously a member of the Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey team and the Chicago Blackhawks. The highly-regarded forward was drafted by the...
,
Hugh JessimanHugh Jessiman is a professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League...
, and David Pacan. On February 24, the Panthers made several moves to gain draft picks in the upcoming
2011 NHL Entry DraftThe 2011 NHL Entry Draft was the 49th NHL Entry Draft. It was held on June 24–25, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was the first time the Draft was held in the state of Minnesota since the Minnesota North Stars hosted the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.The top three picks consisted...
The first of which was trading of veteran
Cory StillmanCory Stillman is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player.- Playing career :Stillman grew up in Peterborough, Ontario playing hockey for the Minor Petes program. He also played competitive baseball. In 1989–90, Stillman played for the Peterborough Roadrunners Jr.B...
to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for
Ryan CarterRyan Michael Carter is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
and a fifth round 2011 draft pick. In a separate deal with Carolina, Florida acquired
Sergei SamsonovSergei Viktorovich Samsonov is a Russian professional ice hockey forward who is currently an unrestricted free agent.- Playing career :Samsonov was drafted by the Boston Bruins eighth overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. Boston drafted Joe Thornton first overall in the same draft...
in exchange for Bryan Allen. On February 25, he traded for defensemen
Alexander SulzerAlexander Sulzer is a German professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
from the Nashville Predators. Finally, in a trade with the Atlanta Thrashers, Florida acquired Patrick Rissmiller and Niclas Bergfors in exchange for
Radek DvorakRadek Dvořák is a Czech professional ice hockey currently a member of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
and a fifth round pick in the 2011 draft. At the end of the 2011 season, only Stephen Weiss and David Booth remained from the pre-lockout era Panthers roster.
On June 1, 2011,
Kevin DineenKevin William Dineen is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently the head coach of the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League.-St. Michael's Buzzers:As a seventeen year old, Dineen played with the St...
, head coach of the
AHLThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
Portland PiratesThe Portland Pirates is a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. They play in the Cumberland County Civic Center in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the...
, was named to be the 11th head coach of the Panthers. He replaced
Peter DeBoerPeter DeBoer is the head coach of the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League and current part-owner of the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League...
who was fired after the 2010-2011 season due to the team's poor performance. The team also rebranded their image, by going on an aggressive marketing campaign dubbed "We See Red", which paid homage to the franchise's original color scheme. To co-incide with the campaign, the team released a new home jersey, which was predominately red with navy blue sleeves, and eliminating the navy blue piping on the road jersey.
A major step in the rebuilding came during the first day of free agency on July 1, 2011. Several new players were signed to contracts including,
Scottie UpshallScott Upshall is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League...
,
Tomas FleischmannTomáš Fleischmann is a Czech professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
,
Sean BergenheimSean Bergenheim is a Finnish professional ice hockey winger, currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .- Playing career :...
,
Marcel GocMarcel Goc is a German professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
,
Matt BradleyMatthew William Bradley is a Canadian professional hockey right winger who plays for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
,
Ed JovanovskiEdward Jovanovski is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman of Macedonian descent, an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League ....
, and
Jose TheodoreJosé Théodore is a French Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League...
. These signings came on the heels of trades to acquire players
Kris VersteegKris Versteeg is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League...
,
Tomas KopeckyTomáš Kopecký is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger, an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .- Detroit Red Wings :...
, and
Brian CampbellBrian Wesley Campbell is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League...
, all of whom were members of the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup winning roster. After Scott Clemmenson was injured in training camp, the Panthers got a good look at their goalie of the future, Jacob Markstrom. He played fantastically going 2-2-1 with a .944 SV% and a 2.05 GAA. After the quarter mark of the season, the Panthers were ranked 1st in the South-East division, 2nd in the Eastern Conference, with a 12-6-4 record, which was their their best start to a season since 1996-97.
Season-by-season record
This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Panthers. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Florida Panthers seasons.
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
Records as of the end of the 2010-11 season.
| Season |
GP |
W |
L |
OTL |
Pts |
GF |
GA |
Finish |
Playoffs |
| 2006–07 |
82 |
35 |
31 |
16 |
86 |
247 |
257 |
4th, Southeast |
Did not qualify |
| 2007–08 |
82 |
38 |
35 |
9 |
85 |
216 |
226 |
3rd, Southeast |
Did not qualify |
2008–09The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
|
82 |
41 |
30 |
11 |
93 |
234 |
231 |
3rd, Southeast |
Did not qualify |
2009–10The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010...
|
82 |
32 |
37 |
13 |
77 |
208 |
234 |
5th, Southeast |
Did not qualify |
| 2010-11 |
82 |
30 |
40 |
12 |
72 |
195 |
229 |
5th, Southeast |
Did not qualify |
Team captains
- Brian Skrudland
Brian Skrudland is a retired former professional ice hockey player who played for the Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers and Dallas Stars.- Junior and minor pro :...
, 1993–97
- Scott Mellanby
Scott Edgar Mellanby is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He primarily played right wing throughout his career, on occasion shifting over to the left side. He is the son of former Hockey Night in Canada producer Ralph Mellanby. He is currently the assistant coach of the St...
, 1997–2001
- Pavel Bure
Pavel Vladimirovich Bure is a retired Russian professional ice hockey right winger. Nicknamed "The Russian Rocket" for his speed, Bure played for 12 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
& Paul LausPaul Laus is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for the Florida Panthers.-Career:...
, 2001–02 (co-captains)
- No captain, 2002–03
- Olli Jokinen
Olli Jokinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1997, third overall after Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. He was the captain of the Florida Panthers from 2003...
, 2003–08
- No captain, 2008–09
- Bryan McCabe
Bryan McCabe is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is a free agent.McCabe moved to Calgary, Alberta at a young age and spent the majority of his minor hockey career playing in the Calgary area....
, 2009–11
Hockey Hall of Fame members
Players
- Ed Belfour
Edward John Belfour is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender.Belfour was born in Carman, Manitoba and grew up playing hockey. He played junior hockey for the Winkler Flyers before going to the University of North Dakota where he helped the school win the NCAA championship in the...
, G, 2006–2007, inducted 2011
- Dino Ciccarelli
.Dino Ciccarelli is a Canadian former professional hockey player who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League, primarily with the Minnesota North Stars. He scored 1,200 points in his NHL career. His 608 career NHL goals are also the most goals scored by a draft-eligible player who was not...
, RW, 1998–1999, inducted 2010
- Igor Larionov
Igor Nikolayevich Larionov is a Russian retired professional ice hockey player, known as The Professor. Along with Viacheslav Fetisov, he was instrumental in breaking the barrier that stopped Soviet players from joining the National Hockey League . He primarily played the centre position, and is...
, C, 2000, inducted 2008
- Joe Nieuwendyk
Joseph Nieuwendyk is the general manager of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League and a retired Canadian ice hockey player...
, C, 2005–2006, inducted 2011
Builders
- Roger Neilson
Roger Paul Neilson, CM was a National Hockey League coach, and was responsible for many innovations in the game...
, Coach, 1993–95, inducted 2002
- Bill Torrey
William A. Torrey was a General Manager and executive in the National Hockey League, most famous for building up the expansion New York Islanders into a dynasty that won four consecutive Stanley Cups...
, President and General Manager, 1993–2001, inducted 1995
Retired numbers
- 93 Bill Torrey
William A. Torrey was a General Manager and executive in the National Hockey League, most famous for building up the expansion New York Islanders into a dynasty that won four consecutive Stanley Cups...
, President and General Manager, 1993–2001, number retired on October 23, 2010
- 99 Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
, C, number retired league wide February 6, 2000
Franchise scoring leaders
These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; * = current Panthers player
Points |
Goals |
Assists |
| Player |
Pos |
GP |
G |
A |
Pts |
P/G |
Olli JokinenOlli Jokinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1997, third overall after Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. He was the captain of the Florida Panthers from 2003...
|
C |
567 |
188 |
231 |
419 |
0.73 |
Scott MellanbyScott Edgar Mellanby is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He primarily played right wing throughout his career, on occasion shifting over to the left side. He is the son of former Hockey Night in Canada producer Ralph Mellanby. He is currently the assistant coach of the St...
|
RW |
552 |
157 |
197 |
354 |
0.64 |
Stephen WeissStephen Weiss is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Weiss plays the centre position and is an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .-Plymouth Whalers:...
* |
C |
557 |
124 |
209 |
333 |
0.60 |
Nathan HortonNathan Horton is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League...
|
C |
422 |
142 |
153 |
295 |
0.66 |
Viktor KozlovViktor Nikolayevich Kozlov is a Russian professional ice hockey player currently playing for Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League .-Playing career:...
|
C |
414 |
101 |
190 |
291 |
0.70 |
| Robert Svehla Róbert Švehla is a Slovak retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL for 9 seasons from 1995 until 2003.- Career :Švehla was drafted 78th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft, but he did not play a game for them before moving on to the Florida Panthers...
|
D |
573 |
61 |
229 |
290 |
0.51 |
Radek DvorakRadek Dvořák is a Czech professional ice hockey currently a member of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
|
RW |
613 |
113 |
155 |
268 |
0.44 |
Rob NiedermayerRobert W. Niedermayer, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Lugano of the National League A in Switzerland. He also played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres...
|
C |
518 |
101 |
165 |
266 |
0.51 |
Pavel BurePavel Vladimirovich Bure is a retired Russian professional ice hockey right winger. Nicknamed "The Russian Rocket" for his speed, Bure played for 12 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
|
RW |
223 |
152 |
99 |
251 |
1.13 |
| Ray Whitney |
LW |
273 |
97 |
130 |
227 |
0.83 |
|
| Player |
Pos |
G |
Olli JokinenOlli Jokinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1997, third overall after Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. He was the captain of the Florida Panthers from 2003...
|
C |
188 |
Scott MellanbyScott Edgar Mellanby is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He primarily played right wing throughout his career, on occasion shifting over to the left side. He is the son of former Hockey Night in Canada producer Ralph Mellanby. He is currently the assistant coach of the St...
|
RW |
157 |
Pavel BurePavel Vladimirovich Bure is a retired Russian professional ice hockey right winger. Nicknamed "The Russian Rocket" for his speed, Bure played for 12 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
|
RW |
152 |
Nathan HortonNathan Horton is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League...
|
C |
142 |
Stephen WeissStephen Weiss is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Weiss plays the centre position and is an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .-Plymouth Whalers:...
* |
C |
124 |
Radek DvorakRadek Dvořák is a Czech professional ice hockey currently a member of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
|
RW |
113 |
Viktor KozlovViktor Nikolayevich Kozlov is a Russian professional ice hockey player currently playing for Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League .-Playing career:...
|
C |
101 |
Rob NiedermayerRobert W. Niedermayer, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Lugano of the National League A in Switzerland. He also played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres...
|
C |
101 |
| Ray Whitney |
LW |
97 |
| David Booth |
LW |
87 |
|
| Player |
Pos |
A |
Olli JokinenOlli Jokinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was initially drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 1997, third overall after Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. He was the captain of the Florida Panthers from 2003...
|
C |
231 |
| Robert Svehla Róbert Švehla is a Slovak retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL for 9 seasons from 1995 until 2003.- Career :Švehla was drafted 78th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft, but he did not play a game for them before moving on to the Florida Panthers...
|
D |
229 |
Stephen WeissStephen Weiss is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Weiss plays the centre position and is an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League .-Plymouth Whalers:...
* |
C |
209 |
Scott MellanbyScott Edgar Mellanby is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He primarily played right wing throughout his career, on occasion shifting over to the left side. He is the son of former Hockey Night in Canada producer Ralph Mellanby. He is currently the assistant coach of the St...
|
RW |
197 |
Viktor KozlovViktor Nikolayevich Kozlov is a Russian professional ice hockey player currently playing for Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League .-Playing career:...
|
C |
190 |
Rob NiedermayerRobert W. Niedermayer, Jr. is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for HC Lugano of the National League A in Switzerland. He also played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres...
|
C |
165 |
Radek DvorakRadek Dvořák is a Czech professional ice hockey currently a member of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
|
RW |
155 |
Nathan HortonNathan Horton is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League...
|
C |
153 |
Jay BouwmeesterJay Daniel Bouwmeester is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and an alternate captain of the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . He was a first round selection, third overall, of the Florida Panthers at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft...
|
D |
150 |
| Ray Whitney |
LW |
130 |
|
NHL awards and trophies
Prince of Wales TrophyThe Prince of Wales Trophy, also known as the Wales Trophy, is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the Eastern Conference playoff champions, prior to the final series of games for the Stanley Cup...
Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy
- Pavel Bure
Pavel Vladimirovich Bure is a retired Russian professional ice hockey right winger. Nicknamed "The Russian Rocket" for his speed, Bure played for 12 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
: 1999–2000, 2000–01
Franchise individual records
- Most goals in a season: Pavel Bure
Pavel Vladimirovich Bure is a retired Russian professional ice hockey right winger. Nicknamed "The Russian Rocket" for his speed, Bure played for 12 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
, 59 (2000–01)
- Most assists in a season: Viktor Kozlov
Viktor Nikolayevich Kozlov is a Russian professional ice hockey player currently playing for Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, 53 (1999–2000)
- Most points in a season: Pavel Bure
Pavel Vladimirovich Bure is a retired Russian professional ice hockey right winger. Nicknamed "The Russian Rocket" for his speed, Bure played for 12 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
, 94 (1999–2000)
- Most penalty minutes in a season: Peter Worrell
Peter Worrell , is a retired professional ice hockey player. Worrell played seven seasons in the National Hockey League for the Florida Panthers and the Colorado Avalanche. During that time he was considered one of the most feared enforcers in the game.-Junior career:Worrell was a member of the...
, 354 (2001–02)
- Most points in a season, defenseman: Robert Svehla
Róbert Švehla is a Slovak retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL for 9 seasons from 1995 until 2003.- Career :Švehla was drafted 78th overall by the Calgary Flames in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft, but he did not play a game for them before moving on to the Florida Panthers...
, 57 (1995–96)
- Most points in a season, rookie: Jesse Belanger
Jesse Bélanger is a former professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League from 1991 to 2001.-Playing career:...
, 50 (1993–94)
- Most wins in a season: Roberto Luongo
Roberto Luongo is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . Born in Montreal, Quebec, he is of Italian and Irish ancestry. He employs the butterfly style of goaltending...
, 35 (2005–06)
- Most saves in a shutout win: Craig Anderson, 53 (NHL record)
- Most shutouts in a season: Roberto Luongo
Roberto Luongo is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . Born in Montreal, Quebec, he is of Italian and Irish ancestry. He employs the butterfly style of goaltending...
, 7 (2003–04)
- All time leader in goals against average: John Vanbiesbrouck
John "Beezer" Vanbiesbrouck is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender, who was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007. He played in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils...
, 2.58
- All time leader in shutouts: Roberto Luongo
Roberto Luongo is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . Born in Montreal, Quebec, he is of Italian and Irish ancestry. He employs the butterfly style of goaltending...
, 26
- All time leader in games played by a goaltender: Roberto Luongo
Roberto Luongo is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . Born in Montreal, Quebec, he is of Italian and Irish ancestry. He employs the butterfly style of goaltending...
, 318
- All time leader in wins by a goaltender: Roberto Luongo
Roberto Luongo is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . Born in Montreal, Quebec, he is of Italian and Irish ancestry. He employs the butterfly style of goaltending...
, 108
External links