THN Archive: Pavel Bure called ‘game’s most dynamic sniper’ during incredible Panthers tenure
The Russian Rocket was the first bonafide superstar to play for the Florida Panthers, and boy was he fun to watch
The Hockey News - THN Archive: Pavel Bure called ‘game’s most dynamic sniper’ during incredible Panthers tenureThe Pavel Bure years provided some things previously unseen in the Florida Panthers’ brief, at the time, existence in the NHL.
They had their first superstar.
That’s no knock on John Vanbiesbrouck, Scott Mellanby, Ed Jovanovski or any of the foundational pieces that had helped the Panthers become one of the most successful – at the time – new franchises in league history.
But nobody came close to the level Bure would be playing at during his brief but memorable tenure in South Florida.
The Hockey News highlighted Bure’s incredible, eye-popping scoring numbers during its Jan. 28, 2000 edition: Vol. 53, Issue 20.
Authoring the cover story was legendary hockey journalist and former THN Editor-In-Chief Bob McKenzie.
At the time, Bure had racked up 29 goals and 49 points in Florida’s first 33 games of the 1999-2000 season.
The Panthers held a healthy 12-point lead over the Carolina Hurricanes in the Southeast Division and were on their way to the team’s first playoff appearance since 1997.
“I love it." Bure said of life in South Florida. “The sun is always shining. It’s a wonderful place to live.”
South Florida is a unique sports region, and back then it was very much a football town, but that didn’t keep fans from seeking out the Russian Rocket between games.
Coming from a place like Vancouver, which is very hockey-centric, there was likely no comparison, which was a good thing for a guy like Bure, who preferred to keep to himself.
“I get noticed, I get asked for autographs, but this is a football place,” Bure said. “The (Miami) Dolphins are the big thing.”
Aside from hearing from Bure, THN’s story also dives into the particulars of the deal that brought the Russian Rocket to the Panthers – Florida sent Ed Jovanovski, Kevin Weekes, Dave Gagner a prospect and a first-round pick to Vancouver for Bure, Brett Hedican, Brad Ference and a third-round pick – adding perspective from the two general managers who made it happen, Bryan Murray and Brian Burke.
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