Guide Note

The Florida Panthers play in the Southeast division of the NHL's Eastern Conference.

Fast Facts

1. Inaugural season: 1993
2. Finals appearances: One (1996)
3. Stanley Cups: None
4. Home: Bank Atlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida

The Panthers joined the NHL in 1993 as the 26th team in the league. Originally started by Blockbuster Video founder Wayne Huizenga, the team first played at Miami Arena.

After failing to reach the playoffs their first two years in the league, the Panthers entered the 1996 Stanley Cup Playoffs following a 41-31-10 regular season record. They defeated the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins in the first three rounds to reach the finals. In their first ever appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals, the Panthers fell to the Colorado Avalanche, four games to none.

The Panthers left Miami in 1998 for their newly built Bank Atlantic Center arena, outside of Fort Lauderdale. In the years since the move, the Panthers have reached the post season only once, where they were swept by the New Jersey Devils in the first round of the 2000 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

While the team was still playing in Miami in 1995, the arena was ambushed by a pack of rats. Before a October 8, 1995, game, Panthers right wing Scott Mellanby killed one of the creatures with a "one-timer" shot in the team locker room. This began a tradition of fans throwing plastic rats on the ice following a goal or great game.

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