‘This Is Amazing’: Panthers Celebrate Stanley Cup with Massive Parade/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Florida Panthers celebrated their second consecutive Stanley Cup victory with a jubilant parade and rally on Fort Lauderdale Beach, drawing around 400,000 fans. Captain Aleksander Barkov and coach Paul Maurice spoke warmly of the moment, while key players like Matthew Tkachuk, Brad Marchand, and Sam Bennett electrified the crowd. The sunny celebration marked a sharp contrast to last year’s rain-soaked event, cementing a historic moment for the franchise.
Quick Look
- Crowd of ~400K packed Fort Lauderdale Beach for back‑to‑back Stanley Cup parade.
- Champagne, cigars, cheers soared under sunny skies—no lightning this year.
- Key moments: Barkov’s praise, Tkachuk’s unapologetic swagger, Bennett’s request for an 8‑year deal.
- Coach Maurice’s “summer of love” theme complemented a festive, fan‑centered event.
- Players embraced fans in contrast to last year’s stormy celebration.
‘This Is Amazing’: Panthers Celebrate Stanley Cup with Massive Parade
Deep Look
The Florida Panthers returned to Fort Lauderdale Beach basking in sunshine rather than storm clouds as approximately 400,000 fans joined the lavish celebration of their repeat Stanley Cup triumph. Two consecutive championships cement the Panthers—a franchise once considered underdogs—as the NHL’s current powerhouse.
In stark contrast to last year’s weather-that-never-quit, this year’s parade was drenched in sun and high spirits, mirroring the team’s optimistic and celebratory tone. Captain Aleksander Barkov captured the moment best:
“It’s a little better day today than it was last year, but still, this is amazing,” he said to roars of appreciation for the fans.
Coach Paul Maurice repeated his heartfelt “summer of love” theme, wearing another cat-themed shirt featuring Poppy and Penny—fashioned by his daughter—and reinforcing the relational culture he’s cultivated since taking over in 2020.
Fan favorites stole the spotlight:
- Brad Marchand, recently acquired from Boston, reveled in his new home. “I’m so happy that I don’t have to play against these guys anymore,” he joked, drawing cheers and gratitude.
- Matthew Tkachuk channeled UFC-style bravado: “I would like to apologize to absolutely nobody… a double champ does whatever he wants.” It struck exactly the right tone of satisfaction and self-belief.
- Sam Reinhart, absent last year for a friend’s wedding, made his presence felt: “The only thing I’ve heard all day is how this is the best parade that’s ever been had in South Florida.”
- Sam Bennett, the Conn Smythe winner, overheard chants calling for him to stay—and cheekily endorsed fan demands: “Eight more years, please.”
Even tested veterans like goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who thanked the massive crowd and expressed hope for “another parade next year,” signaled both confidence and humility.
The celebration was less about a show of power and more about gratitude. It became a reunion with the community, with players and coaches making repeated gestures of appreciation and inviting fans to own this moment with them.
That the Panthers could draw such a massive, upbeat crowd—weathered not by storm but by sheer joy—underscores the transformation of the franchise. From perennial hopefuls to repeat champions, the Panthers are no longer just contenders—they’re champions resplendent in the collective triumph of a city united in hockey pride.
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