The Florida Panthers were added into the NHL as a new franchise along with the Mighty Ducks in time for the 1993-94 season. Taking their name from that of the state animal, The Florida Panthers settled in the Miami area and became the second NHL hockey team in Florida for fans to find the perfect ticket of their choosing. Roger Nielson was the Coach selected by Bobby Clarke who was brought in as General Manager. The decisions as to who would run the team were calculated by owner H. Wayne Huizenga.
By the 1995-96 season, The Florida Panthers were one of the hottest tickets in town. They had already fought gallant battles towards the playoffs in the previous few years and were establishing their strength on the ice. Before the All-Star Break, they already had a jumpstart on the season with the best record in the Eastern Conference. They stole the first three games of the playoffs against the Bruins and won in a dramatic 3rd period goal in the 5th game. Mike Hough and Dave Lowry proved themselves beyond measure as they lead the Panthers to victory in six games against the Philadelphia Flyers and then stomped the Penguins. Along with any one holding an amazing ticket to see them play in the playoffs or had a ticket to the NHL finals, the Panthers were about to fight for the Stanley Cup against the Colorado Avalanche. At this point in the season, the best gift a person could have was a ticket to see the Panthers. Despite a valiant effort of Vanbiesbrouk and his teammates, the finals and the Stanley Cup went to the Avalanche in a quick but brutal sweep.
In 1988-89, the Panthers were moved into the newly formed Southeast Division. Terry Murray was brought in to coach the team at that point and they stayed on the prowl. Pavel Bure brought his hat trick majesty to the Panthers with a ferocity that the team needed to boost itself back into the game. By the next season, he was showing his weight in gold by scoring a magnificent 58 goals with the Panthers showing a record of 43-36-6-6 and on the way to the playoffs. Bure alo took home the honor of being All-Star MVP, a record of 4 hat tricks, and was a finalist for the Hart Trophy. A ticket to see Bure and the Panthers was more than a gift to any lucky fan.
With a brief but colorful history that grows with each passing season, one could do far worse than buying a great ticket to see the amazing Florida Panthers prowl around the Home Depot Center and continue to carve a new path in the ice.
In their brief history, in relation to some of the early teams in the NHL, the Florida Panthers have been laying down a path to victory that can only come with a fierce determination to win along with a strong desire to entertain and delight both ticket holders who are already in the seats and anyone who may have a ticket to see one of their first games.