The Den of Honor is Almost Done

The Panthers didn't practice today, and really, that's just as well.

The big thing going on with the franchise this weekend is its Den of Honor opening on Saturday.

A bunch of former players -- and Doug MacLean -- are in town, so if you see someone who looks kinda familiar tonight in Fort Lauderdale, go ahead and say hello.

And throw a rat their way.

Saturday afternoon, the Panthers will unveil the South Florida Den of Honor on the main concourse, a 4,000 square feet tribute to not only the Panthers, but all hockey in the region.

Of course, until H. Wayne Huizenga was granted an NHL franchise in 1992, there wasn't much hockey to speak of in South Florida.

“What hockey was here was pretty sporadic,'' said Randy Moller, who joined the team in its second season and is the team's radio voice. “It took off once the NHL got here and grew by leaps and bounds.''

The Panthers new den is an open air mini Hall of Fame. Images of former and current players are part of artistic murals wrapping the walls. Highlights and archived footage play on numerous flat screen televisions. Fans can walk through the area – which spans four seating sections – and check out memorabilia in numerous cases.

Most of the area is dedicated to the Panthers two decades in South Florida – and the original players aren't the only ones being honored. Former goalie Roberto Luongo has pieces of his equipment on display as does former captain Olli Jokinen.

Conceptual jerseys from before the team played its first game are also on display as are different authentic and replica trophies won by the franchise over the years.

Each high school that plays hockey in South Florida has its jersey on display and youth hockey has its own area as well.

The team first wanted to honor their past players early last decade and set up a small trophy case on the lower level and called it the Den of Honor. That display was dismantled this summer and a kiosk for a discount computer chain was put in its place.

The new den is a major upgrade. It's going to look really nice. I have to give the Panthers credit for this one.

“This concept has been talked about for a while and the one we had wasn't adequate,'' said Moller. “We wanted it to be bigger and better. We had less than 90 days to get this thing going and it has been a labor of love. There have been hundreds of hours put into this. It is amazing.''

Original goalie John Vanbiesbrouck was one former player who was critical of the team at the time it was discovered the old den was taken down, but everyone seems pleased with the new area. A good number of former players flew in to be part of the ceremonies. The players and coaches will attend both the Saturday game against the Sabres and Sunday's 5 p.m. game against the Lightning.

A few former players who live in the area – such as broadcasters Bill Lindsay and Moller as well as Peter Worrell, John Jakopin and Chris Wells – are expected to join former coach Doug MacLean, Mellanby, Brian Skrudland, Mike Hough and Paul Laus at the opening celebration.

Season ticket holders and those who bought special ticket packages will be part of a meet-and-greet with the players at different times throughout the weekend.

The original Panthers – and those who played on the team's improbable Stanley Cup Finals team in 1996 – will be in hot demand. As always.

“I find it hard to believe that I don't go through a week without someone mentioning 1996 or the rats. And I'm talking everywhere I go,'' said MacLean, who applied for the team's vacant general manager position last summer.

“That team kind of gripped the NHL. People still love that team. It's been a while and it's amazing. I go to dinner here and people always bring it up. It's a neat experience. I'm anxious to see everyone. It's always nice to see them and see all the fans.''

SATURDAY: SABRES AT PANTHERS

When, Where: 7 p.m.; BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise

TV/Radio: FSNF; WAXY-790

The series: Sabres lead 36-22-4

The game: This is the third meeting between the two this season with each team winning once. The Sabres are coming off a 6-2 win at Tampa Bay that snapped a three game losing streak. The Panthers have lost two straight after failing to hold onto a 3-0 third period lead in Thursday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Coyotes.

Comments

[LitterBoxCats]

The West Palm Beach Blaze memorial can be found in Men's Restroom Quad Eight, stall #3.

Seriously, this is a terrific and long overdue gesture by the club to recognize their past while saluting the fans. Best move of the season.

[Diggler]

This is the equivalent of your retarded kid getting a B in 2nd grade and D's and F's up through high school; so you frame the one 'B' and hang it on the wall.

By the way, Chris Wells? The same useless Chris Wells who we got in exchange for a great role player named Stu Barnes?

Christ, I am bringing a flask full of rum to this weekends games. Might make it somewhat tolerable.

[Clash]

ROFL Diggler. Love the analogy.

[season ticket holder since day one]

Yormark invited Chris Wells because he wanted to show that the current management group wasn't the only one to screw up this franchise

[bill]

Let's not kid ourselves. This is a way for Yormark and his idiot boys to make fans forget how badly THEY have screwed this team up.
when hockey people have to report to Yormark about the product on the ice, then you're screwed big time

[Bill]

Its too bad that this classy Den will be opened and then the Cats will get bi*** slapped by the Slugs.....