Panthers win Stanley Cup championship rings

Fort Lauderdale coach Paul Maurice took three decades before finally earning a Stanley Cup championship ring for Florida. After receiving his prize on Monday, he had to wait approximately 30 minutes before opening it – the Panthers wanted everyone in their organization to enjoy viewing these rings together! On Monday evening, the Panthers finally delivered on their promise – handing out numerous Stanley Cup rings at an intimate private ceremony for players, coaches, team executives and athletic training and medical staff members who took part last season’s Stanley Cup championship win. Vincent and Teresa Viola had one rule, however: as it required all in the organization coming together in unison to take home a Cup, all had to open the boxes simultaneously without peeking ahead – in effect “no peeking.” As Vincent Viola gave out rings designed by their family. These rings contained 617 gemstones weighing 15.6 carats set into yellow gold settings. These rings featured an image of a rat on their interior band as an ode to fans throwing plastic toys onto home ice after wins, while even their boxes had special touches; one boasted an interior lid video screen showing highlights from last season’s Cup run while a small light shone onto where their rings sits in a notched location on each band. “You can really feel all the love they put into creating this,” Panthers hockey operations President and General Manager Bill Zito stated proudly while holding up his new ring as an exhibit of thanks. It truly felt special. “Editor’s Picks2 RelevantExecutives and staff were given rings first, followed by players. The Violas wanted each of them individually brought up so they could express their thanks individually.” Vincent Viola gave Aleksander Barkov the hint that they should consider hosting another ring ceremony next year: “We gotta aim for No. 2, right?” “God bless you.,” Viola addressed Barkov at one point during the ceremony, as messages of thanks and congratulations were relayed throughout. As it turned out, one highlight at this particular ceremony was when Viola shone his spotlight onto Stanley Cup which rested a short distance away on its table where red boxes with rings lined up nearby were located. For Matthew Tkachuk Viola gave special mention with, telling him of God’s blessing: Sam Reinhart thanked God and everyone involved for choosing them as his team and scoring Game 7’s game-winner in Stanley Cup Final Game 7. “You gave us this privilege; we feel honored and humbled. Thank you for everything.” Viola gave Verhaeghe an assurance – which could serve as a clear hint that Florida would like him back – that he will always remain a Panther — an encouraging message about Florida wanting him. Sam Bennett is his granddaughter’s favorite player and told her when last season started that Florida Panthers would win it all. Viola thanked Viola and said she never forgot what he told them when Florida defeated Edmonton 2-1 to capture its inaugural championship and officially celebrate on June 24 – celebrations have not stopped since then; these have now come to a close on Tuesday as Florida wrapped up their triumphant run by winning their fifth cup overall. The Panthers will raise their Stanley Cup banner during an official ceremony before facing Boston Bruins for their regular season openers on September 5. After Violas exchanged rings between themselves and then countdown took place for 10 seconds until all attendees opened up their packages and opened them all simultaneously. “To receive this ring is truly rewarding and an exciting start to our new season,” Bennett noted. “Late-night plans also altered. Vincent Viola — who promised South Florida its first Stanley Cup 10 years ago but struggled for many of those years — planned on wearing khaki pants to Monday’s ceremony until his wife forced him into buying one shortly beforehand. Teresa Viola noted, however: ‘Vinny always achieves what he sets his mind to and 10 years ago you said we would win it and now look what has come of it!”