On this date 31 years ago, South Florida was awarded an NHL expansion franchise

Let’s stop and take a moment to wish a very Happy Birthday to South Florida’s favorite hockey franchise.

It was 31 years ago, on December 10, 1992, that original team owner H. Wayne Huizenga was officially awarded an NHL expansion franchise.

Four months later Huizenga would announce the team’s official name would be the Florida Panthers.

By then, he had already made what would be two very significant hires, adding Bill Torrey as Team President and Bobby Clarke as Vice President and General Manager.

The Panthers would play their first ever game on Oct. 6 of that year, against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Opening Night at Miami Arena took place a few nights later on Oct. 12.

It would only take three short years for the Panthers to not only make the playoffs, but march all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.

While the franchise has gone through quite a few ebbs and flows over the years, things have taken a major turn for the better in recent seasons.

With that being the case, and considering how well things have been around the Panthers lately, it should be easier to take a moment and reflect on the past three decades with a fond smile. 

Happy Birthday, Florida Panthers! 

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