HK "Florida Panthers": the history of formation and the current composition

"Florida Panthers" - hockey professional club, serving in the National Hockey League (Atlantic Division, Eastern Conference). The main base of the club is located in the American city of Sunrise, Florida.

History of club performances

In 1992, December 10, the owners of the NHL hockey clubs made a joint decision to add the number of teams to the league, now clubs from cities such as Anaheim and Miami could take part in the struggle for the Stanley Cup.

Wayne Huizenga - owner of the new team "Florida Panthers", immediately began recruitment. Billy Torrey was invited to the presidency of the club, the place of general manager was occupied by Tommy Clark, head coach - Roger Nilsson.

For the first time the team held its official match in 1993 on October 6, with a club "Chicago Blackhawks", the result - 4: 4. The first victory of the players, "Florida Panthers" achieved in the third league match against the players, "Tampa", the result - 2: 0.

To go into the playoffs, in the first season held the team from the city of Sunrise did not have one point.

The following season passed with varying success, a series of victories after losing, and again one point separated the team from the exit to the round of the playoffs, after which the post of head coach was taken by Doug Macklin.

The season 1995-1996 was outstanding, the team "Florida Panthers" scored in the season 92 points and came close to the leaders of the championship, this led to the first Stanley Cup. On the way to the final series of "Florida" beat such bands as "Pittsburgh Penguins", "Boston Bruins" and "Philadelphia Flyers", but in the final series against the club "Colorado Avalanche" the team could not win.

Season statistics 2011-2016:

The History of Symbolism

The logo of the Florida Panthers shows a Florida puma, which is considered to be the rarest species of pumas. In honor of her, the club was named.

A special role in the emergence of the mascots of the team was played by striker Scott Mellabni. In the 1995-1996 season, Scott noticed a rat in the locker room, then took a stick and sent the rodent through the whole room with a strong throw. On that day, Mellabni sent 2 goals to the opponent's goal. The story somehow became known to the public, and in subsequent matches, when Mellabney scored, the fans threw toy rats on the ice.

By the end of the season, the tradition took root, and the fans did not care who designed the goal for the opponents, they continued to throw the arena with toys.

Players of the club

"Florida Panthers" composition at the time of 2017 (in brackets the player's number is indicated) had the following:

Goalkeepers

• Roberto Luongo (1);
• James Reimer (34).

Defenders

• Jason Deimers (4);
• Stephen Kapfer (3);
• Aaron Ekblad (5, vice-captain of the team);
• Alex Petrovich (6);
• Mike Matisson (56);
• Keith Yandle (93).

Forwards

• Alexander Barkov (16);
• Jonathan Uberdo (11);
• Riley Smitt (18);
• Derek Mackenzie (17, captain of the team);
• Vincent Trochek (21);
• Sean Thornton (22);
• Jiri Hudler (24);
• Nick Bugstat (27);
• Garret Wilson (28);
• Jussi Jokinen (36, vice-captain of the team);
• Jaromir Jagr (68);
• Greg McKegg (41);
• Logan Show (48);
• Corban Knight (53);
• Jonathan Marchesko (81);
• Kyle Pei (92).

We wish successes in the season 2016/17 to the hockey club "Florida Panthers". Pre-season matches, the results of which are already known, the players of the club had a good overall: "Florida" 4-1 "Nashville", "Florida" 1 - 2 "Dallas" (victory in overtime), the second match ended with the same score (" Dallas "on the Bulit)," Florida "4 - 2" New Jersey "," Tampa Bay "2 - 0" Florida ".