Ice hockey currently reigns king in Florida now that the Panthers have won their first Stanley Cup. And the team is having fun with the cup. Here are some funny places where the NHL champion Panthers brought the Stanley Cup so far during their big celebratory party week.
Before we dive in, it's important to note some traditions and unwritten rules about how the cup is to be treated. Professional hockey players, like many athletes, are superstitious people. One of the main protocols from a player perspective is that you don't touch the Stanley Cup unless your team has won it. In addition, it's only hoisted over head by the winning team (players and coaches).
Starting in 1995, another tradition began. "Each member of the newly crowned Stanley Cup championship team, including players and staff, gets the opportunity to spend 24 hours with the trophy," NHL records explained.
This is where things get very interesting. The player has options when it's their day with the cup. They can spend it in the city where they live during the season, in other words, the franchise's home city. Or they can bring the cup back to their hometown where they grew up.
Earlier this week the Florida Panthers won their first championship in franchise history. Although the cup has called Tampa Bay home a few times over the years when the Lightning won.
Where Have The Panthers Brought The Stanley Cup So Far?
Often the question remains, who cleans the cup after all it put through? Well, we know that this week it definitely got a salt water bath. After a walk through the streets of Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday morning, Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk took the cup for a swim in the Atlantic Ocean.
Fans also got to experience some beverages being poured out of the cup from the second floor of the Elbo Room. The cup was also out partying late into the night at the club E11even.
Former NHL goalie and current Panthers special advisor Roberto Luongo "enjoyed a family dinner and ate pasta out of the championship trophy," NBC Miami shared. Their video clip shows a waiter grating parmesan cheese into the fresh (and delicious-looking) pasta that was placed in the cup.
What's next is still to be determined. My recommendation is to continue leaning into what south Florida has to offer given the game is typically synonymous with the cold weather. How about taking the cup out on a water surf ride?
