Miami Panthers

The Florida Panthers are an ice hockey team from the North American NHL, the world's best hockey league. The Panthers play in the so-called South East Division of the Eastern Conforence, since in Sunrise, Florida is home, hosting the 1998 home games at 19,250-seat BankAtlantic Center. Previously the team played in Miami Arena, but which holds only 14,696 spectators at hockey games. The Panthers came to the 1992/93 season in the NHL after Blockbuster Video magnate H. Wayne Huizenga, the rights to an NHL team in Miami received. The first game ended with the Panthers 4-4 for the Chicago Blackhawks and the first win in club history was a 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in front of the then record crowd of 27,227 fans at the Thunderdome. Overall, the season premiere of one of the most successful in comparison to other NHL newcomers, the Panthers have won nearly 50 percent of their games. The greatest sporting success was the Florida Panthers already in the 1995/96 season as they succeeded, after long play-offs in the Stanley Cup finals. The finale was indeed lost in four games against the Colorado Avalanche, but the team managed to this day not to repeat that success. Part of this team have included John Vanbiesbrouck goalkeeper, defender and striker Rob Niedermayer Scott Mellanby, who played from the beginning of the Panthers, and striker Ray Sheppard.

The Florida Panthers made it to attach it to this successful start time. And even though it was responsible for the 1998-99 season, Pavel Bure to Florida to pick up, which was known for his qualities as a striker, "the Russian Rocket." While the play-offs the following season were reached again, but overall was not on the plan of a glorious future with Pavel Bure. The Panthers have missed the playoffs nine seasons in a row now. Already at the end of the season 2001/02 Pavel Bure was sent to the New York Rangers, as his performance left much to be desired, although the leaders had pledged his brother Valeri, this gave Pavel Bure feel better and so could get its full power. Other famous names who played for the Panthers defender Jay Bouwmeester are, Goalie Roberto Luongo and Olli Jokinen striker. Important pillars of the current squad of the Florida Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun is mainly defender Bryan McCabe, Cory Stillman and strikers and Stephen Weiss. A highlight of the special kind took place in 2003 in the BankAtlantic Center's annual All-Star Game, measure in which the best players in the respective current NHL season.

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