Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad speaks after Florida's 3-2 loss to the Islanders on March 28. There aren’t many in the Florida Panthers organization who have endured as much with the team for as long than defenseman Aaron Ekblad. Selected first overall at the 2014 NHL Draft, Ekblad has spent his entire professional career with Florida. Only Panthers captain Sasha Barkov has spent more time with the franchise. As it stands, Ekblad has seen some high highs and low lows during his tenure in South Florida, but his steady, consistent play on the back end has played a big part in the transformation of the franchise. Having a reliable, smooth skating defenseman with high end offensive abilities is not an easy thing to come by at the highest level, and Ekblad has been all that and more during his decade in the NHL. Considering his experience and time with the Panthers, Ekblad’s appreciation for what the team achieved last season… On Saturday, Ekblad took his turn for 24 hours with the Stanley Cup. Like many of his teammates before him, Ekblad spent much of his day sharing the Cup with his hometown community. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] The fun started early Saturday morning, with fans lining up as early as 6:45 a.m. for an event at the Atlas Tube Recreation Centre in Belle River that started hours later, according to NHL.com [https://www.nhl.com/news/aaron-ekblad-savors-cup-day-with-fans-at-rink-in-windsor]. "Amazing," Ekblad told NHL.com [https://www.nhl.com/news/aaron-ekblad-savors-cup-day-with-fans-at-rink-in-windsor]. "I think a lot of them realize the importance of somebody in the city competing and being there and probably were sitting in front of their TVs rooting for me at some point or another. asTo be able to give it back to them and that feeling of bringing it through the crowd was a cool experience." The 28-year-old ended his day with the Cup surrounded by close friends and family, sitting by the fire. Teammate Sam Bennett was among those hanging with Ekblad and the Cup, per Florida Hockey Now’s George Richards on X [https://twitter.com/GeorgeRichards/status/1825012157852819906]. You can check out FHN’s video of Ekblad from Saturday’s Cup festivities below: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9gLf5Cxkfk[/embed] LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA The Hockey Show: Sad Oilers, shirtless weddings and Sam Rosen [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/the-hockey-show-sad-oilers-shirtless-weddings-and-sam-rosen] Stanley Cup returns to Ontario for special visits with trio of Panthers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/stanley-cup-returns-to-ontario-for-special-visits-with-trio-of-panthers] Pair of Florida Panthers crack NHL Network's Top 20 wingers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/pair-of-florida-panthers-crack-nhl-networks-top-20-wingers] Photos and video: Panthers GM Bill Zito shares Stanley Cup with many in Milwaukee [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/photos-and-video-panthers-gm-bill-zito-shares-stanley-cup-with-many-in-milwaukee-] Bill Zito brings Stanley Cup to Milwaukee Brewers clubhouse, several places near to his heart [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/bill-zito-brings-stanley-cup-to-milwaukee-brewers-clubhouse-several-places-near-to-his-heart] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
