SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida Panthers have swapped their typical game-day attire for something a bit cozier: personalized bathrobes. This unique choice was introduced during their recent two-game series in Finland, and it appears to be a successful strategy, as the Panthers emerged victorious in both matchups.
Maintaining their winning streak is crucial for any professional sports team, and it seems the robes are becoming a part of their identity. During a game against Nashville, all Panthers players were spotted at the arena again wearing their robes, contributing to a decisive 6-2 win. “I think we’re just going to ride it out until our luck runs out,” remarked Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, hinting at the superstitions that often accompany athletes.
The idea to don robes was inspired by Finland’s sauna culture and emerged spontaneously during their morning skate. Team captain Aleksander Barkov took the initiative to keep the trend alive, sending a message to teammates suggesting they wear the robes as a part of their game day routine. “You’ve got to be some kind of superstitious at some point, right?” said Barkov. “While it’s working for us, we’ll keep going with that.”
Some players were initially skeptical, with Aaron Ekblad expressing doubt until he received visual confirmation from Tkachuk, who took a selfie in his robe while heading to the arena. “Everybody thought there was a prank being played on them,” Tkachuk stated. He added, “I tell you what, it’s the most comfortable thing ever. It’s nice and we’re having fun with it. We’re a very professional team when it comes to work. We come to the rink and we work, but it’s such a long year. You’ve got to have fun.”
Interestingly, the concept of wearing robes originated from Lucy Tallas, the spouse of the Panthers’ goaltending coach Robb Tallas. “We have to give the true credit — it was Lucy’s idea,” noted Florida’s general manager and president of hockey operations, Bill Zito.
The Panthers’ head coach, Paul Maurice, appreciates any activity that fosters team spirit, and it seems that this robe trend is doing just that. “Those are the best that have nothing to do with anything but the players,” he commented. Maurice acknowledged the courage it takes to walk into an NHL rink in a robe and noted the fun element of the tradition.
While Maurice did receive a robe in Finland, he plans to continue his usual practice of wearing a suit to work. “Nobody — nobody — needs to see that,” he declared. “These fine people pay way too much money to be subjected to those nightmares.”
The robe-wearing tradition appears to be a lighthearted yet effective way for the Panthers to embrace their camaraderie and find joy amid the demanding NHL season.