Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP) — Jalen Waddle sees himself as a good luck charm for the Florida Panthers.
Miami Dolphins wide receivers have attended numerous Panthers hockey games over the years. Last season, he played the drums prior to his playoff match against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He cheered for coach Paul Maurice’s team after their thrilling overtime victory in Tampa Bay this year.
According to Waddle, every time he’s in attendance, it spells victory for his beloved hockey team.
“I’m definitely going to the finals,” Waddle said after last week’s practice. “Whenever I’m there, they’re pretty much undefeated, so they should really invite me to any important game right away.”
“Panthers – Hey, I’m waiting.”
The Panthers are competing in the Stanley Cup final for the third consecutive year, aiming to defend their 2024 title. Over the past three seasons, they have achieved more than 40 wins, a significant improvement after winning just 25 playoff games over their first 28 seasons. General Manager Bill Zito has been in the conversation for GM of the Year after assembling a championship-caliber roster each year.
They are experiencing unprecedented success in South Florida, and other professional sports teams in the area are taking notice. Many are inspired by the Panthers’ achievements and are using them as a model for success.
“I believe the Florida Panthers have done an incredible job creating a culture of high expectations,” said Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel. “Experiencing success as a team motivates us all, especially when we see people passionately supporting their teams. You can really feel the energy.”
The Dolphins were once the pride of South Florida. Almost 53 years ago, the legendary coach Don Shula led Miami to the NFL’s perfect season. Reminders of that dominant era are scattered throughout the region, but it’s been awhile since Miami was considered a powerhouse.
The Dolphins made the playoffs in both of McDaniel’s first two seasons in Miami but missed out last year and haven’t won a playoff game since 2000, marking the longest drought in the NFL.
Waddle, along with teammates like standout defensive lineman Zach Sieler and linebacker Bradley Chubb, recently attended a Panthers game. For them, witnessing the Panthers’ success serves as a source of motivation.
“They definitely bring excitement to the city,” Waddle remarked. “All the pro teams here have set high standards with their accomplishments in recent years. It definitely ignites a fire under us to try and reach that level.”
Manager Clayton McCullough donned a bright red Florida Panthers hat before the Miami Marlins’ midweek game against the San Francisco Giants last month.
The first-year Marlins manager doesn’t consider himself a die-hard hockey fan but keeps an eye on the scores.
“But I’m now a fan of our local Panthers team,” McCullough noted. “I hope they can repeat as Stanley Cup champions.”
McCullough has been tasked with leading the Marlins through a rebuilding phase. After a disappointing season of 62-100, with at least 100 losses in six years, he understands what success looks like after winning the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.
He stated that when one team wins a title, it elevates the entire city.
“We’re all part of the same community,” McCullough said. “When one team is succeeding, it’s beneficial for all of South Florida, and we hope to see ourselves in the postseason deeper into September and October in the coming years.”
“The fanbase is energized by it, and we want to support all the pro teams that are thriving here.”
Coach Maurice and the Panthers players feel that support and are happy to share in the victories.
“There’s room here for all of us. There are certainly plenty of fans,” Maurice said. “I think it’s fantastic to have core sports like football, basketball, and baseball, along with a newer sport like hockey. There’s space for everyone, and we just need to share it.”
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AP NHL Playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Source: apnews.com