The Florida Panthers are still riding high after clinching the Stanley Cup, with celebrations continuing into the week and leading up to Sunday morning’s championship parade.
The tents are up and the stage is set on Fort Lauderdale Beach for Sunday’s celebration. The parade is set to start at 11 a.m. near Bayshore Drive on A1A and make its way to Fifth Street.
The preparations come a day after the team made a high-profile appearance at Club E11EVEN in Miami. They were seen hoisting the trophy amid cheers from fans, late Wednesday night.
Ahead of the late night festivities at 11 p.m., the team dined at Catch, Miami Beach’s hottest restaurant.
Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, who has been a vocal presence throughout the festivities, shared details of the ongoing celebrations during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.
“When you win the cup, it’s crazy. All plans are off. You just wake up one day, and whatever happens that day happens. That cup is the most attractive thing in the world and brings everybody together,” Tkachuk said.
The team’s journey since Monday night has been a whirlwind of events, starting in the locker room and moving to Tkachuk’s house and then to Elbo Room by early Tuesday morning.
“We had it in the locker room from midnight to 3 a.m. Then everyone came back to my house at 4 a.m., 4:30 a.m. Then we were at Elbo Room by 8 a.m.,” recounted Tkachuk.
The enthusiasm reached its peak Wednesday night as foam flowed and the Stanley Cup was raised repeatedly inside E11EVEN. Video from the party showed the team and fans chanting Queen’s “We Are the Champions” as players celebrated on stage.
Tkachuk also expressed his gratitude to the fans.
“To all the Panthers fans that have been celebrating and will be celebrating all week, you guys are the best,” he said.
Adding to the festivities, Tkachuk on Thursday morning met fans while working at Raising Canes, located at 2501 N Federal Highway in Pompano Beach.
Hundreds of people gathered at the fried chicken restaurant just to catch a glimpse of the Stanley Cup champ.
7News cameras captured the moment Tkachuk walked into the restaurant as fans cheered and snapped pictures.
Several reporters at the eatery later asked questions to the star player.
“I can’t believe how many people are out here,” said Tkachuk. “It’s very humbling. It is very humbling to see. It’s very special to me.”
Tkachuk described the thrill of winning Monday night’s nailbiter game.
“Coming back and having the home ice, having the crowd support — the crowd was so unbelievable for that Game 7,” he said.
Not even a steamy, hot Florida summer day was going to keep these fans from meeting their hockey hero.
“It’s like once in a lifetime. They just won. Most of us are big fans since we were born,” said a young woman.
Tkachuk, who just had one hour of sleep, even served some chicken tenders and sandwiches to drive-thru customers.
“Oh, my God, incredible. I feel like I’m going to pass out,” said one very satisfied customer before she drove away.
Thursday evening, Panthers center Sam Reinhart, who scored the deciding goal on Game 7, signed autographs at the Dick’s Sporting Goods location in Sawgrass Mills Mall at 12801 West Sunrise Boulevard.
“I know a lot of people were waiting 30 years for this moment,” said Panthers fan Sara Varela.
Panthers fan Ben Hu showed up at 5 a.m. for the signing, before the employees arrived.
“I got here at 5 and waited until they let us in here at 10 a.m.,” he said.
Hu got to meet his hero Reinhart.
It has certainly been quite the week for these Cats, and they still have their championship parade on Sunday.
“It’s going to be so special. Right down the beach, not too far from where my house is,” said Tkachuk. “Places and areas that I’ve hung out ever since I’ve been here, so to see the transformation of what it’s gonna look like at the parade, to have the cup there and to see all the fans, I’ve been looking forward to this day my whole entire life, so I can’t wait.”
Fans are invited to join Sunday’s festivities along the parade route. Roads will be closed at around 8:30 a.m., so local authorities encourage attendees to use rideshare services and arrive early.