Panthers players will wear patches with the logo on the right chest of their jerseys next season
The NHL Panthers unveiled a logo to commemorate their 25th anniversary that "didn’t feature a Florida panther at all" and instead "concentrated more on the franchise’s location," according to Matthew DeFranks of the South Florida SUN SENTINEL. The Panthers "centered their 25th anniversary logo around the old secondary logo that featured a crossed palm tree and hockey stick." It "sat on top of a large white '25' in front of the red cross on Florida’s state flag." The logo is "enclosed by a navy circle that read 'Florida Panthers hockey club' and a horizontal stripe that said 'Est. 1993.'" Panthers President & CEO Matt Caldwell said that they "wanted to emphasize the team’s commitment to South Florida five seasons into the ownership of Vinnie Viola." The team also said that the navy circle "was an ode" to the Panthers’ '09-12 logo and that the Florida Panthers Hockey Club wording was a "nod to the original logo." Caldwell said that the team "wanted to deviate from the 20th anniversary logo, which pictured the leaping cat splitting a pair of X’s, roman numerals for 20." The team "will wear the patches on the right chest of their home and road jerseys," and the logo will also be "featured at center ice of the BB&T Center." Caldwell said that the team "would introduce 'Legacy Saturdays' this season to help celebrate the team’s 25th anniversary, welcoming back former Panthers during Saturday home games" (South Florida SUN SENTINEL, 6/16).
OWNING UP TO IT: DeFranks in a separate piece writes under the header, "Now A South Florida Resident, Panthers Owner Vinnie Viola Hopes To Remedy Past Errors, Prepare For Future." Viola five months ago moved to Ft. Lauderdale from N.Y. for a "bigger role in the Panthers franchise." His involvement with the team to date has been "divisive to parts of Florida’s tortured fan base." The club "secured their place in Sunrise through a deal with Broward County" and have been "visible and impactful in the community, helping heal after Hurricane Irma ripped through the state, and then following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School." But under Viola, the team "endured the failed reign of Tom Rowe" as both GM and interim head coach in '16-17. The team also "nudged GM Dale Tallon aside, then welcomed him back." Viola "labels himself a hands-off owner, one that can step back and let his subordinates do their jobs." He "envisions emulating" Lightning Owner Jeff Vinik. While Viola lived in N.Y., he "focused on the business side of the franchise, the marketing, the sales, the sponsorship." But on the hockey side, Viola said he was a "little bit too extracted.” Caldwell said that Viola's move to South Florida will be a "huge help" (SUNSENTINEL.com, 6/18).
