The Florida Panthers have decided to cancel their scheduled public event for receiving their Stanley Cup championship rings on Monday night due to concerns about Hurricane Milton, which is approaching the state. Originally, fans were invited to attend the event by making a $20 donation that would have supported the team’s foundation, the United Negro College Fund, and the United Way. Instead, the players will now receive their rings in a private ceremony on Monday.
The team’s opening regular-season game and Stanley Cup banner unveiling against the Boston Bruins are currently set to proceed as planned on Tuesday night in Sunrise. Panthers President and CEO Matthew Caldwell announced the cancellation of the Champions Ring Ceremony out of an abundance of caution for the safety of all involved, as the event would divert resources from first responders and service providers.
Hurricane Milton intensified on Sunday and is predicted to become a major hurricane, with potential impact on the Tampa Bay area on the state’s Gulf coast by Wednesday. The region is still recovering from the effects of Hurricane Helene. Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for 51 counties in Florida, including Broward where the Panthers play, along with neighboring Miami-Dade and Palm Beach.
DeSantis has warned that the state is preparing for “a major disaster” in some areas. Despite the circumstances, the Panthers are staying in communication with state and local authorities as they make arrangements to kick off their season on Tuesday. Caldwell mentioned that the team continues to monitor the situation closely and is working on ensuring the safety of guests in and around the arena for the season opener.
