Huizenga, first Panthers owner, dies at 80

H. Wayne Huizenga, the founding owner of the Florida Panthers, died Friday at age 80.
"The Florida Panthers organization is heartbroken by the news of H. Wayne Huizenga's passing," owner Vincent J. Viola said. "Mr. Huizenga's lifelong commitment to our community, his philanthropy and his entrepreneurial spirit ensure that the Huizenga family legacy will live on in South Florida. I'm continually inspired by Wayne's example, from his vision and his civic-minded leadership, to his success fostering an environment of on-ice excellence, which continues to have a shaping influence on every step we take in the South Florida community. He will be remembered always by our Panthers family."

Huizenga headed the ownership group that was awarded an expansion franchise by the NHL in 1992. The Panthers started play in the 1993-94 season, going 33-34-17 for 83 points, the most by an NHL expansion team until the Vegas Golden Knights broke the record this season.
"Wayne Huizenga was an entrepreneurial visionary who possessed boundless energy, drive and imagination, a devotion to his community in South Florida, and a passion for sports," NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. "Those all were vividly reflected in his founding of the Florida Panthers, the construction of a world-class arena in Sunrise, and his leadership of the franchise to an appearance in the 1996 Stanley Cup Final in just its third year in existence.
"While Wayne established South Florida as a hockey market, he devoted as much time and effort to education-focused philanthropic efforts that benefited his beloved community in many ways.
"The National Hockey League sends its condolences to his family and to all throughout the sports and business worlds who Wayne touched and inspired, including the countless hockey fans and players throughout Florida who came to the game as a result of his vision."
The Panthers reached the
Stanley Cup Final in 1996
but lost in four games to the Colorado Avalanche.
Huizenga also helped secure funds for BB&T Center, which has been the Panthers' home since it opened in 1998.
He sold the franchise in 2001.
On Jan. 19, the Panthers retired No. 37, Huizenga's lucky number, in his honor.
While owning the Panthers, Huizenga also owned the Miami Dolphins of the NFL and the Florida Marlins of Major League Baseball, making him, for a time, one of the most dominant owners in North American professional sports.