Panthers, Golden Knights certain by gun tragedies lengthy earlier than assembly in Stanley Cup Final

The Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers didn’t have a lot of a joint historical past on the ice earlier than assembly within the Stanley Cup Final – simply 10 regular-season video games earlier than the collection opened Saturday.

Off the ice, the groups had been related by tragedy simply over 5 years in the past. Within months of one another, Las Vegas and South Florida had been devastated by mass shootings not removed from their arenas – and the then-expansion Knights and the Panthers performed a task within the therapeutic that has adopted.

The groups mourned the Las Vegas Strip and Parkland highschool victims throughout pregame ceremonies, introduced family to video games, honored first responders and donated to household foundations. They erected everlasting memorials inside their arenas – in Vegas, to its 60 victims, and in Florida, to the 17 who died at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High.

“The idea that these two teams, impacted by gun violence at almost the same time, are now playing each other for the Stanley Cup is such a huge deal,” stated Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter Jaime died at Stoneman Douglas.

“The Knights, even though they were a new team, they stepped into their community and became such an important part of helping that community heal,” he stated. “The Florida Panthers, not only are they my hometown team, they are now like family to me.”

Orin Starn, a Duke University cultural anthropology professor who research the influence sports have on society, stated groups typically contribute to their communities’ restoration after tragedies. He pointed to the New York Yankees’ first house sport after the 9/11 terrorist assaults and New Orleans Saints gamers helping aid efforts after Hurricane Katrina.

PHOTOS: Panthers, Golden Knights certain by gun tragedies lengthy earlier than assembly in Stanley Cup Final

There are different examples, together with the Miami Heat giving jerseys and likewise internet hosting households of Stoneman Douglas victims and the Houston Astros internet hosting residents of Uvalde, Texas, after final 12 months’s college capturing there.

“Tragedy, like the Stoneman or (Vegas) killings, rips apart the fabric of society,” Starn stated. “Returning, after proper time for mourning, to the rink or the court marks a gesture of refusing to give in to forces of violence and intolerance, and beginning to mend.”

VEGAS

On Oct. 1, 2017, the Golden Knights had been ending coaching camp, 5 days from taking part in the primary NHL sport in group historical past and 9 days from their house opener. Vegas sports followers had been abuzz concerning the metropolis’s first main league group.

But then a sniper opened hearth from a Strip lodge’s thirty second ground, initially killing 58 at an outside nation music live performance. Two extra died years later. More than 800 individuals had been wounded.

The group scrapped its raucous opening night time celebration. The boards that encompass the ice had been stripped of adverts, changed by the motto “Vegas Strong.” The pregame focus was on victims and first responders. It culminated with then-defenseman Deryk Engelland giving an emotional speech.

”To the households and buddies of the victims, know that we are going to do every little thing we are able to that will help you and our metropolis heal,” stated Engelland, who now works for the group’s basis.

During that season’s house video games, the Knights acknowledged the Vegas Strong Hero of the Game, a primary responder or citizen who risked their life to save lots of the wounded.

At the common season’s conclusion, the Knights retired the quantity 58 for the victims who had died to that time. The names of all 60 victims are on a banner hanging within the enviornment’s rafters.

Amber Manka stated the Knights’ lasting assist has been a supply of sunshine for the tens of 1000’s of individuals affected by the Las Vegas capturing. Her mom, Kimberly Gervais, died of her wounds in 2019.

The group’s work “gives people hope and reassurance that there is good in the world,” she stated. “I think one good deed leads to another, and it makes a difference. That’s what they’re doing.”

That inaugural group shocked the NHL by profitable its division and three playoff rounds earlier than falling to the Washington Capitals within the Cup remaining. By far, it’s the finest efficiency by a contemporary growth group in North America’s 4 main sports leagues.

Forward Jonathan Marchessault, an authentic Knight nonetheless with the group, stated it has been a “love-love situation” with the followers.

“It’s been really great to be part of this. It’s been an unbelievable run for the past six years,” he stated final week.

PANTHERS

When a former Stoneman Douglas scholar gunned down 14 college students and three employees members on Feb. 14, 2018, the Panthers had been in Vancouver to play the Canucks – as removed from South Florida as attainable inside the NHL. Parkland, a well-off bed room neighborhood simply north of the group’s apply facility, is house to many gamers, coaches and executives.

Shawn Thornton, a 14-year NHL participant and the group’s chief income officer, stated proprietor Vincent Viola informed him to do something wanted and never fear about the fee. Thornton turned to buddies working for the Knights and two Boston groups, the Red Sox and Bruins, for recommendation as they’d handled tragedies of their communities.

“The thing we learned is that everyone is going to grieve differently, that everybody needs support in different ways. Just sit back and listen to what’s needed and not expect to know what’s needed,” Thornton stated, his voice breaking all through an interview.

At the group’s subsequent house sport every week after the capturing, a 15-minute pregame memorial that introduced some gamers to tears ended with a speech by then-goalie Roberto Luongo.

“To the families of the victims, our hearts are broken,” Luongo stated. “Just know that we’re there for you if you guys need anything. You’ll be in our prayers, and let’s try to move on together.”

Eleven days after the capturing, the Stoneman Douglas hockey group – which included Guttenberg’s son, Jesse – gained the Florida state championship. As the Eagles ready for the nationwide event in Minnesota, the Panthers hit them with surprises.

First, the Eagles practiced on the Panthers enviornment, with gamers and Thornton, a hard-nosed brawler throughout his profession, giving pointers – together with Thornton’s lighthearted classes on combating.

When apply ended, to the gamers’ amazement, Thornton introduced out the Stanley Cup for them to skate with – solely NHL champions normally try this. The Panthers then flew the Eagles and their households on the group aircraft to the event and introduced them again.

“Shawn Thornton coming out with the Stanley Cup was just surreal,” stated Matthew Hauptman, that group’s captain. “Everything that the Panthers did for us was just very high class. It made us feel very welcomed. … Five years later, it is still something I think about.”

On the capturing’s first anniversary, the Panthers unveiled a memorial within the enviornment’s most important concourse that features the victims’ portraits and the phrase “MSD Strong.” On the latest fifth anniversary, the group wore particular shirts whereas touring honoring the victims, and their enviornment has hosted graduations and different scholar occasions.

“They have been supportive over and over through the years,” stated Tony Montalto, president of Stand with Parkland, the group that represents most victims’ households. His 14-year-old daughter, Gina, died within the capturing.

Florida state Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, then-Parkland’s mayor, hopes no different groups ever need to step up.

“There are too many opportunities for people to help one another after these awful, awful tragedies,” she stated.

Fred Guttenberg stated a few of his happiest recollections with Jaime are from Panthers video games. When she was younger, when the group scored he would prop her on his shoulders as they clapped and yelled.