Hours after the Florida Panthers received their first Stanley Cup, the 132-year-old trophy acquired a correct Fort Lauderdale welcome: After-party at Matthew Tkachuk’s home, filling up on early-morning beers with just a few hundred new associates on the landmark Elbo Room, then a celebratory flop within the Atlantic Ocean.
The impromptu Tuesday morning social gathering on the iconic nook of Las Olas Boulevard and State Street A1A started earlier than 8 a.m. when ringleader Tkachuk determined to carry the Cup to considered one of his favourite bars, the place he was joined on the second-floor balcony by Panthers stars Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, Brandon Montour, Gustav Forsling, Anthony Stolarz and others.
After partying in anonymity for a while, phrase acquired out on social media and a boisterous crowd of followers continued to develop outdoors the Elbo Room, numbering round 300 to 400 by midday. So many individuals, in truth, that metropolis police closed the intersection for about an hour on account of “heavy pedestrian visitors.”
A refrain of “We Are the Champions” was interrupted by the mantra: “We wish beer!” Tkachuk fortunately obliged, elevating the Cup and slopping its chilly contents (Bud Mild and Michelob Extremely) over the railing onto open-mouthed followers under.
The choice to increase the after-party to the Elbo Room was a late-night, spur-of-the-moment thought, Tkachuk mentioned. However the location was a no brainer.
“I come right here quite a bit,” Tkachuk mentioned, smiling. “I’ve not essentially gone to mattress but, however it’s all good. I’m a little bit drained, however I acquired my second wind, so I’m able to go.”
Moments later, Tkachuk hoisted the 35-pound chalice over his head and led a pair hundred followers on a march throughout A1A onto the seaside. Tkachuk, Bennett and different gamers carried the trophy into the ocean, baptized it in water and gave it a celebratory hoist overhead, drawing cheers from the gang.
Panthers’ Chief Working Officer Bryce Hollweg was a part of the Elbo Room celebration, however mentioned the social gathering was an “natural,” player-led occasion, simply extra proof of the shut private connections that gasoline the squad.
“What an unbelievable scene,” he mentioned.
Hollweg mentioned the that means of Monday night time’s historic win had but to sink in, however the feelings he felt at Amerant Financial institution Enviornment in Dawn because the minutes and seconds counted down had been nonetheless palpable.
“I may barely watch. I used to be actually kneeling on the ground on one knee simply ready for it to finish,” he mentioned. “Unbelievable, unbelievable.”
In its informal setting and unaffected vibe — solar, swimsuits, low-cost beer and, oh, look, superstars! — the Elbo Room social gathering felt very South Florida, or maybe extra exactly, very Fort Lauderdale.
When the Miami Warmth received the primary NBA championship of the Massive 3 period in 2012, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade needed to sneak into the luxe LIV nightclub on the Fontainebleau resort about 3 a.m. for a VIP-only celebration.
On the Elbo Room on Tuesday, the Cats’ star defenseman Gustav Forsling wore an off-the-rack Panthers T-shirt along with his personal identify on it.
On the sidewalk outdoors the Elbo Room, Jade Barcy, 29, of Hollywood, a fan for twenty years, described herself as “undoubtedly a Bobby fan,” with a rising appreciation for Aleksander Barkov. “He’s an awesome captain.”
Invoking Marvel comics lore, she famous that with the Panthers’ Stanley Cup victory, every of South Florida’s 4 main groups has now received a championship.
“Like Thanos with all of the stones,” she mentioned, laughing.
Jimmy Porcaro, 70, of Fort Lauderdale, spoke with some emotion because the oceanfront celebration continued.
“I questioned whether or not I’d ever see today,” Porcaro mentioned. “I’ve been a fan because the starting. I assumed the (Stanley Cup) may not occur for me.”
Throughout city, Panthers followers flocked to the Baptist Well being IcePlex on Tuesday for an opportunity to snag limited-edition merchandise to rep their newly topped champions.
“We’re psyched,” Barbara LoMoriello mentioned. “Simply psyched up.”
For Kathy Dorsey, a Miami native who’s been following the crew since they performed on the Miami Enviornment, leaping again on the Panther practice was a no brainer.
“We’re ride-or-die and stayed with them when it acquired dicey,” Dorsey mentioned. “When Recreation 7 occurred and we received, I needed to get a T-shirt.”
Close by, Mayor Dean Trantalis met with reporters outdoors the IcePlex, the place he had watched the “nail-biter” of a sport Monday night time with tons of of followers.
“I’ve by no means seen a extra excited, hooting-hollering crowd,” he mentioned.
Trantalis mentioned the Panthers will host a championship parade Sunday on Fort Lauderdale seaside, starting at 11 a.m. at Riomar Avenue and ending at Fort Lauderdale Seaside Park, close to B Ocean Resort.
“Fort Lauderdale is already on the map,” Trantalis mentioned. “We’re a year-round vacation spot and this simply provides to it.”
Employees writers Rafael Olmeda, Susannah Bryan and Lauren Ferrer contributed to this report.