WASHINGTON, D.C. – In recognition of the Florida Panthers winning the Stanley Cup for the first time in the team’s 30-year franchise history, Senator Rick Scott and Senator Marco Rubio celebrated the unanimous passage of their Senate resolution honoring the hockey team for their accomplishment and congratulating the loyal fan base for their support throughout the season.

Read the resolution HERE or below.

Title: Commending and congratulating the Florida Panthers on winning the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.

Whereas, on June 24, 2024, the Florida Panthers (referred to in this preamble as the “Panthers”) won the 2024 National Hockey League (referred to in this preamble as the “NHL”) Stanley Cup Final;

Whereas the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Final is the first Stanley Cup Final won by the Panthers in the 30-year history of the Panthers franchise;

Whereas, on the way to winning the 2024 Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers defeated—

(1) in the first round of the playoffs, the Tampa Bay Lightning;

(2) in the second round of the playoffs, the Boston Bruins;

(3) in the Eastern Conference Finals to win the Prince of Wales Trophy, the New York Rangers; and

(4) in the Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers;

Whereas, during the 2023–2024 NHL Season, the Panthers—

(1) won 52 games during the regular season and scored 268 goals; and

(2) had 2 players, Sam Reinhart (forward) and Sergei Bobrovsky (goaltender), represent the Panthers as All-Stars at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game in Toronto, Canada;

Whereas Aleksander Barkov of the Panthers won the Selke Trophy and was recognized as the best defensive forward in the NHL for the second time in his career;

Whereas the entire Panthers roster contributed to the 2024 Stanley Cup Final victory;

Whereas supporting the Panthers players was a team of coaches and support staff committed to enriching the South Florida community on and off the ice; and

Whereas the Panthers represent their loyal fans, the South Florida community, and the entire State of Florida with a commitment to excellence: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate—

(1) congratulates—

(A) the Florida Panthers for winning the 2024 National Hockey League Stanley Cup Final; and

(B) the loyal fan base of the Florida Panthers for their support throughout the 2023–2024 season; and

(2) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to members of the Florida Panthers ownership, management, and coaching staff, including—

(A) the chairman, owner, and governor of the Florida Panthers, Vincent Viola, and his family;

(B) the president and CEO of the Florida Panthers, Matthew Caldwell; and

(C) the president of hockey operations and general manager of the Florida Panthers, Bill Zito, and the head coach of the Florida Panthers, Paul Maurice.

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