The Florida Panthers, in a cautious response to the imminent threat of Hurricane Milton, decided to cancel their public event scheduled for Monday night to present their Stanley Cup championship rings. This decision was reached out of concern for the safety of all involved as this typhoon approaches the state.
Donation Event for Good Causes Postponed
Fans were initially offered the chance to be a part of the event with a $20 donation. This donation would have been directed to the Panther foundation, the United Negro College Fund, and the United Way. Now, the team members will receive their championship rings in an elaborate ceremony on Monday, according to the team’s official statement.
However, the Panthers’ regular season opener and Stanley Cup banner unveiling against the Boston Bruins is still scheduled for Tuesday night at Sunrise.
Decision Made with Safety in Mind
Matthew Caldwell, President and CEO of the Panthers, said Sunday night that the decision was made to avoid diverting resources that could be used by first responders and service providers. “We made the challenging decision to stop our Champions Ring event prioritizing the safety of everyone involved,” he said. “We will distribute our championship rings privately instead.”
Hurricane Milton, which was gaining strength on Sunday, is forecast to become a major hurricane. It is expected to reach the Tampa Bay area on the Gulf Coast on Wednesday. This side of the state is still dealing with the effects of Hurricane Helene.
The Governor Declares a State of Emergency
In response to the impending disaster, Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency in all 51 counties in Florida – including Broward, home of the Panthers, neighboring Miami-Dade to the south, and Palm Beach to the north. DeSantis warned the state that it was looking at “major disaster” elsewhere.
The Panthers are committed to maintaining open communication with state and local authorities as they continue plans for Tuesday’s season opener. “We are keeping a close eye on the situation,” said Caldwell, assuring that the team “will continue to study our stadium and surrounding areas to treat visitors safely” in the first game.
Impact on the Tampa Bay Lightning
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning’s preseason schedule ended sooner than expected, as the team canceled its home showdown against the Nashville Predators due to ongoing preparations for Hurricane Milton. This marks the second cancellation of the Lightning-Predators game, which was previously postponed from Sept. 27 due to the effects of Hurricane Helene. It has been decided that the game will not be postponed. Tampa Bay is slated to open its regular season Friday at Carolina.
