It’s not a popular opinion, but I’m not a summer person. Long days and nights of heat and humidity?
Yuck. You can keep it.
But summer provides a useful break for the hockey world. It allows players to heal up, and the few months away from the game only helps build up excitement for us fans as the new season approaches.
So, while summer clings to its final days, I’m starting to emerge from my air conditioned cocoon, where I’m eagerly awaiting the cool Fall temperatures…and hockey!
It was a particularly nice break these past couple months. What else was there to do except we sit back and reflect on our Stanley Cup champion Panthers’ season.
But you can’t live in the rearview mirror.
The 2023-2024 season was the best in Panthers history. The reality now is that there is a big ol’ target on Florida’s back for the 2024-2025 season.
Everyone wants to measure up to and take a crack at the champ.
Florida will be going into the new season with the Arnold mentality:
Before we can get to that opening night puck drop, there’s a couple items we need to get through…
The first domino to start the Panthers new season is the rookie showcase taking place this weekend (9/13 -9/16) in Nashville, TN, where the Panthers’ up-and-comers will faceoff against the Preds young guns.
Florida participants are listed below:
Forwards
Jamie Armstrong
Liam Arnsby
Josh Davies
Riese Gaber
Riley Hughes
Kenta Isogai
Krzysztof Macias
Ryan McAllister
Marcus Nguyen
Jay O’Brien
Oliver Okuliar
Gracyn Sawchyn
Kai Schwindt
Wilmer Skoog
Hunter St. Martin
Ben Steeves
Sandis Vilmanis
Nicholas Zabaneh
Defensemen
Marek Alscher
Andre Anania
Michael Benning
Maxim Dirracolo
Mikulas Hovorka
Evan Nause
Keaton Pehrson
Goaltenders
Cooper Black
Mack Guzda
Lukas Matecha
Jan Spunar
The big cats will the. step in late September to kickoff training camp. This is what we’re all looking forward to. After losing some pieces due to the Cup win, it will be interesting to see how some of the new faces fit in to this line up.
More on that in a future blog as we get closer to camp…
Feels good to shake off the keyboard cobwebs as I/we prepare for the upcoming season and regular blog postings!
Until then, just admire this beauty Panthers steez, courtesy of Marty Reasoner!
Florida Panthers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»