The Florida Panthers arrived in Ferraris, cigars lit, dressed in all-white Miami Vice attire — and, in true South Florida fashion, fashionably late

The play on words was clear. A seed was planted. And for the next few years, the NHL, the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Florida Panthers kept talking about how they could bring outdoor games to the Sunshine State.

With six-time Latin GRAMMY Award-winning global artist Luis Fonsi singing his hit song “Despacito” from a stage in what is usually the outfield for the Miami Marlins of MLB, the Panthers and Rangers made their way to the ice as fake snow fell throughout the stands.

Panthers forward Brad Marchand remembers a few times when he and the Boston Bruins would play games in the state of Florida and be impressed by what they were hearing from the crowds. The Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning have finished atop the hockey world four times in the last six seasons — the Stanley Cup is basically a Sunshine State resident now — and the growth of hockey all across the state,

Florida International hosts the New Mexico State Aggies after Eric Dibami scored 21 points in Florida International's 97-94 overtime loss to the Liberty Flames

Aaron Ekblad is looking forward to the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic in Florida on January 2 -- but mainly, he just wants to win.

Missouri State takes on the Florida International Panthers after Kaemyn Bekemeier scored 24 points in the Bears' 65-61 victory against the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears.