Arriving early Sunday morning at 6:30, some fans were already at the Fort Lauderdale bar known as Elbo Room. However, by 7:30, anyone arriving was considered late as there was no more room inside the bar by 9 a.m. Thousands of fans gathered to watch the Florida Panthers parade to celebrate their first Stanley Cup win in franchise history.
This event marked the end of a weeklong party for a team that many doubted would last in the NHL when it was established in 1993-94. Now, thirty-one years later, the Panthers can proudly say they hosted the best post-championship celebration in all of South Florida sports, surpassing the Marlins, the Heat, and the Dolphins, who last won a title in 1974.
The Panthers have spent much of their history playing in relative obscurity, with fans often favoring more established franchises in the area. However, their recent success has led to increased support and recognition, particularly after reaching the Finals last year and winning the Stanley Cup this season.
The celebrations began the morning after their victory, with Panther forward Matthew Tkachuk and others bringing the Stanley Cup to Elbo Room, where it was showcased, dipped in the Atlantic Ocean, and even used as a pasta bowl by Panthers legend Robert Luongo. This event marked only the beginning of what promised to be an exciting day for South Florida sports.