The Florida Panthers joined the National Hockey League in the 1993-94 season along with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. They represented an attempt by the NHL to expand into non-traditional hockey markets in the southern US. Based in Sunrise, just west of Fort Lauderdale and north of Miami, they are still the most southerly NHL franchise in existence.
The Panthers started their history as a defensive trapping team. They parlayed that and the skills of former Ranger back-up goalie John Vanbiesbrouck into the most successful first season by an expansion team since 1967.
By their third year Florida was in the playoffs. They won successively more difficult playoff series on their way to the Stanley Cup finals. There they lost to the Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy lead Colorado Avalanche ,but they had collected an excited fan base by the end.
Since the 1996 playoff run it's been a long, sad story for the Panthers. Florida has only made the playoffs twice since then. They have only won one (1) playoff game since appearing in the Stanley Cup finals in 96.
For the last eight NHL seasons the Panthers have missed the playoffs. No other NHL t ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Scott Weldon
Florida Panthers: Dale Tallon and 7 Great Reasons to Be a Fan
November 19th, 2010 by Scott Weldon Leave a reply »
Advertisement