A resolution commending and congratulating the Florida Panthers on winning the 2025 Stanley Cup Final.

Whereas, on June 17, 2025, the Florida Panthers (referred to in this preamble as the Panthers) won the 2025 National Hockey League (referred to in this preamble as the NHL) Stanley Cup Final, becoming back-to-back champions;
Whereas the 2025 Stanley Cup Final is the second Stanley Cup Final won by the Panthers in the history of the franchise;
Whereas, on the way to winning the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers defeated—
in the first round of the playoffs, the Tampa Bay Lightning;
in the second round of the playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs;
in the Eastern Conference Final to win the Prince of Wales Trophy, the Carolina Hurricanes; and
in the Stanley Cup Final, the Edmonton Oilers;
Whereas, during the 2024–2025 NHL season, the Panthers won 47 games during the regular season and scored 246 goals;
Whereas, in the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off tournament—
Matthew Tkachuk, Gustav Forsling, Aleksander Barkov, Eetu Luostarinen, Anton Lundell, Niko Mikkola, Sam Bennett, and Sam Reinhart participated as players; and
Bill Zito, Teddy Richards, Myles Fee, Patric Hornqvist, and Tuomo Ruutu participated as support staff;
Whereas Aleksander Barkov of the Panthers won the Selke Trophy for the third time as the best defensive forward in the NHL and the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his leadership on and off the ice in his community, becoming the first player in NHL history to win both awards in the same NHL season;
Whereas Sam Bennett of the Panthers was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy for the Most Valuable Player of the 2025 Stanley Cup playoffs;
Whereas the entire Panthers roster contributed to the 2025 Stanley Cup Final victory;
Whereas a team of coaches and support staff enriched the South Florida community on and off the ice while also supporting the players; and
Whereas the Panthers represent their loyal fans, the South Florida community, and the entire State of Florida with a commitment to excellence: Now, therefore, be it
That the Senate—
congratulates—
the Florida Panthers for winning the 2025 National Hockey League Stanley Cup Final; and
the loyal fan base of the Florida Panthers for their support throughout the 2024–2025 season; and
respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution to the ownership, management, and coaching staff of the Florida Panthers, including—
the Chairman, Owner, and Governor of the Florida Panthers, Vincent Viola, and his family;
the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Florida Panthers, Matthew Caldwell; and
the President of Hockey Operations and General Manager of the Florida Panthers, Bill Zito.