Established
1993
City
Miami
League History
1993 – Present / National Hockey League
Team History
1993 – Present / Florida Panthers
Nickname
Panthers—The Florida Panthers are a professional National Hockey League (NHL) hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida. The franchise was founded in 1993 and has had its ups and downs, but it has become essential to South Florida’s sports landscape.
One thing that many people don’t know about this NHL franchise is where their nickname comes from. In 1992, Wayne Huizenga purchased an expansion team to be located in Miami-Dade County with plans to name it after a local animal species native to South Florida.
After much research and debate, he settled on “Panthers” because panthers are unique animals found only in certain parts of the southern United States—particularly near his new home base for the hockey club!
Huizenga also wanted something representing strength and agility – two traits associated with these powerful cats – so he chose “Florida Panthers” as his official moniker for his newest venture into professional sports ownership.
It wasn't until later that fans began referring affectionately to their beloved ice warriors as "the Cats" or "the Rat Pack." Still, either way you look at it - there's no denying that having such strong ties between nature & sport makes this one truly special NHL franchise!
Championship
Stanley Cup 1
2024
Arena
2013 – Present / BB&T Cente
2005 – 2012 / BankAtlantic Center
2002 – 2005 / Office Depot Center
1998 – 2002 / National Car Rental Center
1998 / Broward County Civic Arena
1993 – 1998 / Miami Arena
Owner
2009 – Present / Sunrise Sports & Entertainment
2001 – 2009 / Alan Cohen and Bernie Kosar
1993 – 2001 / Wayne Huizenga
- 1993
- 1998
- 2013
- 2024
-
Florida Panthers Team Formation
Blockbuster Video magnate Wayne Huizenga was awarded an NHL franchise for Miami on December 10, 1992, the same day The Walt Disney Company earned the right to start a team in Anaheim. The entry fee was $50 million, but despite fellow Florida team Tampa Bay Lightning starting to play the year before, the league did not consider to be any ... -
National Car Rental Center Opens
In 1992, Wayne Huizenga obtained a new NHL franchise that would eventually become the Florida Panthers. Until the team had an arena of their own, they initially played at the now-demolished Miami Arena, sharing the venue with the NBA’s Miami Heat. Sunrise City Manager Pat Salerno made public a $167-million financing and construction plan for a civic center near the ... -
Sunrise Sports & Entertainment
Despite media reports saying Vincent Viola paid between $230 million and $250 million for the Panthers, operating rights to the BB&T Center and other Sunrise Sports & Entertainment entities in 2013, the West Point graduate actually paid an enterprise value of closer to $160 million. With the Panthers hampered by low attendance, Viola and his partner, Doug Cifu, have said ... -
The Florida Panthers won their first ever Stanley Cup in their 30th season.
The 2024 Stanley Cup Finals was a thrilling series between the Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers and the Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers. The Panthers, in their 30th season, were looking for their first-ever Stanley Cup victory, while the Oilers, making their eighth Finals appearance, were hoping to add to their five previous championships. The series went down to the ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Panthers
The Florida Panthers, a professional ice hockey team based in the Miami metropolitan area, have been an integral part of the National Hockey League (NHL) since their establishment as an expansion franchise in 1993. The team plays its home games at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Florida, making them the southernmost team in the NHL, and they have developed a rivalry with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Panthers' inaugural season in 1993-1994 marked their entry into the league. They quickly made an impact with notable players such as former New York Rangers goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, rookie Rob Niedermayer, and forward Scott Mellanby. The team's first game resulted in a 4-4 tie against the Chicago Blackhawks, and their first win was a 2-0 shutout of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Thunderdome, witnessed by a then-NHL record crowd of 27,227. The Panthers had one of the most successful first seasons of any expansion team in league history, narrowly missing out on the final 1994 playoff spot in the East.
Various milestones and challenges have marked the Panthers' history. They experienced a long postseason drought between 2000-01 and 2010-11, during which the team finished between third and fifth place in its division. However, in the 2011-12 season, the Panthers rebounded to capture the first division title in franchise history. They also posted the worst record in the NHL during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season but rebounded to capture another division title in 2015-16.
The team has seen significant player acquisitions and trades, including notable transactions such as the trade involving Roberto Luongo, which has been regarded as one of the worst trades in professional sports history. Luongo, at the prime of his career, was one of the League's top goaltenders, while Todd Bertuzzi, acquired in the trade, played just a handful of games for Florida before getting injured.
The Florida Panthers have played 30 seasons, with their most recent season being 2024. The 2024 season culminated in a historic achievement for the Panthers as they clinched the Stanley Cup, marking a significant milestone in the team's history. This victory solidified their place in NHL history and brought immense pride and joy to the team, its fans, and the entire South Florida community.
In summary, the Florida Panthers have left a lasting impact on the NHL, and their journey is characterized by significant achievements, challenges, and the contributions of notable players, making them an integral part of the league's history.
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
1 / Roberto Luongo
37 / Wayne Huizenga
93 / Bill Torrey
99 / Wayne Gretzky
*Blue is this team’s history