Florida Panthers Delay Public Stanley Cup Ring Ceremony Amidst Hurricane Warnings

The Florida Panthers, in a cautious response to the imminent threat of Hurricane Milton, have decided to suspend their public event originally set for Monday night to present their Stanley Cup championship rings. The decision was reached out of concern for the safety of all participants as the hurricane approaches the state.

Donation Event for Good Causes Postponed

Fans were initially given the opportunity to be part of the event for a donation of $20. This contribution would have been channeled towards the Panther’s foundation, the United Negro College Fund, and the United Way. Now, the team members will receive their championship rings in a discreet ceremony on Monday, according to an official statement from the team.

However, the Panthers’ inaugural regular-season game and the unveiling of the Stanley Cup banner against the Boston Bruins are still on schedule for Tuesday night at Sunrise.

Decision Made With Safety in Mind

Matthew Caldwell, President and CEO of the Panthers, stated on Sunday night that this decision was taken to avoid diverting resources that could be used by first responders and service providers. “We have made the challenging choice to call off our Champions Ring Ceremony prioritizing the safety of everyone involved,” he said. “We’ll distribute our championship rings privately instead.”

Hurricane Milton, which was gaining strength on Sunday, is predicted to transform into a severe hurricane. It is projected to reach the Tampa Bay area on the Gulf coast of the state by Wednesday. This side of the state is still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Governor Declares State of Emergency

In response to the impending disaster, Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency across 51 counties in Florida — including Broward, home to the Panthers, neighboring Miami-Dade to the south, and Palm Beach to the north. DeSantis has warned the state to brace for a “major disaster” in some areas.

The Panthers are committed to maintaining open communication with state and local authorities as they proceed with plans for Tuesday’s season opener. “We’re closely monitoring the situation,” Caldwell stated, assuring that the team “will persist in readying our arena and surrounding areas to safely host guests” for the inaugural game.

Impact on Tampa Bay Lightning

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s preseason schedule concluded sooner than anticipated, as the team cancelled its home exhibition finale against the Nashville Predators due to the ongoing preparations for Hurricane Milton. This marks the second cancellation of the Lightning-Predators game, which was previously postponed from September 27 due to the effects of Hurricane Helene. It has been decided that the game will not be rescheduled. Tampa Bay is set to commence its regular season on Friday at Carolina.