Florida Panthers Delay Stanley Cup Ring Ceremony Due to Hurricane Milton, Bruins Game Remains On Schedule

Sunday, October 6th, 2024

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Due to concerns about Hurricane Milton approaching the state, the Florida Panthers have decided to cancel their public event initially planned for the distribution of their Stanley Cup championship rings. This event was scheduled for Monday night.

Fans had previously been invited to attend the ring ceremony with a donation fee of $20, which was set to benefit the team's foundation, the United Negro College Fund, and the United Way. Instead, the players will now receive their coveted rings during a private ceremony on Monday, as confirmed by the team.

Currently, the Panthers are still prepping for their opening regular-season game, which includes the unveiling of the Stanley Cup banner. It is set to proceed as planned on Tuesday night against the Boston Bruins in Sunrise.

Matthew Caldwell, the President and CEO of the Panthers, explained the decision, stating, "As this event would take resources from first responders and service providers, we have made the tough decision to cancel our Champions Ring Ceremony out of an abundance of caution for the safety of all involved. We will instead distribute our championship rings privately."

Hurricane Milton has gained strength since Sunday, and forecasters predict it will develop into a major hurricane. There is a potential threat to the Tampa Bay area on the Gulf Coast by Wednesday. The state is still managing the repercussions of a previous storm, Hurricane Helene, and in response, Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 51 counties in Florida, including Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach.

Governor DeSantis mentioned that the state is preparing for "a major disaster" in certain areas.

The Panthers stated that they are maintaining communication with state and local authorities as they proceed with plans to kick off the season on Tuesday.

Caldwell added, "We are closely monitoring the situation," and assured that the team "will continue

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