Like an early morning walk past your favorite bakery, or freshly cut grass full of dew, your senses bring you back to the "Coolest Game on Ice" and the excitement of a new Florida Panthers season. This year is the 25th Anniversary, and as the team's longest tenured employee, I have found myself reflecting more on the past, and the great potential of who the 2018-19 Panthers will ultimately be.
This season will be strange not seeing the Panthers first ever "employee" Mr. Bill Torrey, in his usual bow tie, commiserating with coaches, players, media, and most endearing, hockey fans of all ages, gender, and culture. But rest assured, he (in spirit) and others will anxiously await this growing nucleus of young talent, and how Panther newbies Henrik Borgstrom, sniper Mike Hoffman, and KHL standout Bogdan Kiselevich will gel with fan favorites such as Alexander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, "Skinny" Vinnie Trocheck and sniper Evgenii Dadonov?
Success in the first 10-12 games will clearly determine the course of second-year head coach Bob Boughner's squad. October is filled with tough opponents and potential playoff finalists.
There is no easy road.
The 25th anniversary year-long celebration will also include Panthers fan favorites from the past like Billy Lindsay, Ed Jovanovski, Stephen Weiss, Olli Jokinen and more attending select "Legacy Saturdays" home games. These alumni will interact with fans young and old just like they always have.
Expectations are high both inside the organization, and among their loyal, growing fan base. I invite you to come out and attend training camp held again at the Panthers IceDen in Coral Springs.
Let that first cool blast of cold air jolt you to a "familiar sensation" that the Florida Panthers and NHL hockey is back!
See you at the rink,
Randy
