The Florida Panthers took to the streets of Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, celebrating their back-to-back Stanley Cup victories with a vibrant parade and rally. The event drew an estimated 400,000 fans, who lined State Road A1A to cheer on their team.
As the parade commenced around noon, players waved from buses, occasionally disembarking to showcase the coveted Stanley Cup. Fans eagerly reached out, some even getting the chance to touch the trophy as players mingled with the crowd.
By 1:30 p.m., the festivities shifted to a stage set up on the beach near SE 5 Street, where head coach Paul Maurice kicked off the rally. He humorously revealed a t-shirt featuring two cats, each symbolizing a championship win, stating, “In Southeast Florida, 2025 is the summer of love.”
“The men behind me love you and all of you love the men behind me,” Maurice continued, urging fans to keep local first responders safe during the summer. His heartfelt message resonated with the crowd.
Players followed suit, expressing gratitude for the unwavering support from fans and the organization. Center Aleksander Barkov highlighted the joy of the day, thanking supporters for their loyalty throughout the season.
“This is amazing, what a day we are having with you guys,” Barkov said, his enthusiasm palpable.
Right wing Sam Reinhart chimed in, declaring it the best parade in South Florida history. “Thank God I missed last year and not this year,” he quipped, channeling DJ Khaled’s famous phrase, “We da best.”
Forward Matthew Tkachuk shared that being part of the parade was one of his life’s highlights. He expressed appreciation for team owner Vincent Viola and general manager Bill Zito for bringing him to the Panthers.
“These are memories I'm going to have for the rest of my life,” Tkachuk remarked, emphasizing the fun and safety of the event.
Defenseman Aaron Ekblad also took a moment to thank fans and the organization for their belief in him over the years. “All I have to say is 'Thank you,'” he said, acknowledging his teammates and management.
When center Sam Bennett, recently awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, took the stage, chants of “ten more years” erupted from the crowd. Bennett responded with defiance against critics of their playing style: “I would like to take this time to apologize to absolutely (expletive) no one. We're the double champs and we do what the (expletive) we want.”
Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky expressed his gratitude for a remarkable year and playoff run. The rally concluded with right wing Brad Marchand reflecting on his happiness at being part of such a special moment and relief at no longer facing off against the Panthers.
