PANTHERS ARE BORN

Hockey was just a gleam in South Florida’s eye until H. Wayne Huizenga was awarded an NHL expansion franchise in 1992. Within four months, Huizenga had hired Bobby Clarke as Vice President and General Manager and Bill Torrey as President; the dream of hockey in South Florida was becoming a reality. Once Huizenga announced in April 1993 that the team would be called the “Florida Panthers,” fans and design firms enthusiastically submitted ideas for logos and uniforms, some of which are included in this collection. When the official logo and uniform were finally unveiled, more than 1,000 people turned out to see the unveiling in person. The enthusiasm over the logo carried over into a raucous Opening Night at Miami Arena as the Panthers took the ice at home for the first time on October 12, 1993. The Panthers had arrived!