Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk speaks after Florida's 5-3 win in Tampa Bay on April 26. One of the most iconic moments of the Florida Panthers celebrations with the Stanley Cup came in the hours after they initially won Game 7. It had been maybe eight hours since jubilation ensued on the ice at Amerant Bank Arena and the Panthers had brought the iconic trophy from the arena in Sunrise to Matthew Tkachuk’s home in Fort Lauderdale. Eventually, Tkachuk and a handful of his teammates who were keeping the party going decided to take the Cup over to Elbo Room along Fort Lauderdale Beach. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] With the sun coming up over the Atlantic Ocean, someone had the idea to bring the Stanley Cup down to the waves and take it for a dip in the water. Tkachuk thought it was a great idea, and with a couple dozen fans watching and recording, walked right into the ocean and fell into the surf. While speaking to members of the media at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital during his official day with the Cup [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/matthew-tkachuk-brings-stanley-cup-to-st-louis-childrens-hospital-for-special-visit], Tkachuk explained who came up with the idea and deserves the credit, while also pleading his case that had he known salt water and silver do not mix, he would’ve thought twice about it. “I did not know that wasn't allowed, I promise you,” Tkachuk told KSDK News [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmnzGLlI1ic&t=328s]. “It was the day after I won, I still hadn’t slept at that point, and it was just me and a few of my teammates. We had nobody with us to say, ‘Matthew, don't be an idiot. Don't do that.’ So I thought it was fitting, but if I would have known I wasn't supposed to do it, I wouldn't have done it, but also, I think it's pretty funny.” As for whose idea it was, Tkachuk’s brother Brady was apparently a little displeased that he never got proper credit for sparking the idea to take Lord Stanley for a swim. “My brother was like, ‘The ocean's right there, why don't you just go take it in there right now,’” Matthew explained. “I'm like, ‘That's a great idea. We'll go do that.’ I guess I didn't give him credit when I first got asked about it, and he was pretty upset with me, so there, he gets the credit for that.” Tkachuk and his family have been making the most of their time with the Stanley Cup this summer, to the surprise of absolutely no one. This story just adds another nice layer to the tale. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Spencer Knight remains one of NHL’s top goaltending prospects [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/spencer-knight-remains-one-of-nhls-top-goaltending-prospects] The Hockey Show: THN's Ryan Kennedy discusses offseason's biggest moves, NHL Draft, free agency [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/the-hockey-show-thns-ryan-kennedy-discusses-offseasons-biggest-moves-nhl-draft-free-agency] Gallery: Looking back at Panthers Stanley Cup celebrations inside Amerant Bank Arena [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/gallery-looking-back-at-panthers-stanley-cup-celebrations-inside-amerant-bank-arena] Florida Panthers 2024-25 prospect pool overview from The Hockey News [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/florida-panthers-2024-25-prospect-pool-overview-from-the-hockey-news] Kyle Okposo Stanley Cup day in jeopardy due to global software outage [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/kyle-okposo-stanley-cup-day-in-jeopardy-due-to-global-software-outage] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
