DAVIE, Fla. – Florida Panthers fans filled the sidewalk outside a strip mall in Davie Tuesday for a chance to meet their back-to-back Stanley Cup champions — and they came prepared.
“We’ve been trying to get him for the last couple of years now with he parade and stuff but the joke we’ve been making is, he can’t run from us anymore,” said Reuben Rayneri Jr., a devoted Panthers fan referring to captain Aleksander “Sasha” Barkov.
The crowd gathered Tuesday outside CanesWear on South University Drive for a meet-and-greet featuring Barkov, along with defensemen Nate Schmidt and Niko Mikkola.
All three players posed for photos and signed a range of memorabilia — from hockey pucks to jerseys.
“It’s just cool seeing how nice they are because they’re animals on ice and seeing how sweet they can be off of ice so it’s nice meeting them and getting to know them and doing it back to back,” said fan Michelle Poirier.
The line at one point stretched out the door and down the plaza. Fans were required to sign up and buy tickets in advance, helping store organizers keep the event under control.
For some, like Samuel May, showing up meant more than just snagging an autograph.
“Why was it important for you personally to be here?” asked Local 10’s Terrell Forney.
“Because I wanted to meet the guys and come give them my personal congratulations because they do it for the fans,” May said.
The Rayneri family brought along a replica Stanley Cup, marked with the 2024 title — and room for more.
“This was 2024 and now the line is moving on to 2025 and then we got ‘26 and ‘27 so we can keep adding and adding (make it a dynasty) … as much as it will go,” said Reuben Rayneri Sr.
The Panthers have now won two straight Stanley Cups, and fans across South Florida continue to celebrate what many hope will become a lasting dynasty.
On Wednesday, Aaron Ekblad and Gustav Forsling are also set for a meet-and-greet session from 2:45 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. at CanesWear.
Tickets must be purchased online in advance, and space is limited. Photo opportunities will only be available to those with a special photo ticket.
For more details and to purchase tickets, visit PanthersWear.com.
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