The Florida Panthers clinched the first Stanley Cup in franchise history on Monday (June 24th) by downing the Edmonton Oilers, 2-1, in a dramatic Game 7 finale in front of a roaring crowd in Sunrise, Florida.
Former WHL Champion, Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year Sam Reinhart (West Vancouver, B.C./Kootenay ICE), led the charge by scoring the Cup-winning goal with a wicked wrister in the second period. The goal was Reinhart’s 10th goal at the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Other WHL graduate players on Florida’s active roster include 2022 WHL Champion Justin Sourdif (Richmond, B.C./Vancouver Giants, Edmonton Oil Kings) and Josh Mahura (St. Albert, Alta./Red Deer Rebels, Regina Pats).
Behind the bench, assistant coach Jamie Kompon (Thunder Bay, Ont./Portland Winterhawks) and goaltending coach Rob Tallas (Edmonton, Alta./Seattle Thunderbirds) also clinch their first Stanley Cup Championship.
In addition, Senior Advisor Les Jackson (Manning, Alta./Great Falls Americans, Brandon Wheat Kings), pro scout Reid Jackson (Lethbridge Hurricanes, Prince George Cougars, Moose Jaw Warriors), Director of Player Personnel Bryan McCabe (Medicine Hat Tigers, Spokane Chiefs, Brandon Wheat Kings) and Director of Amateur Scouting Shane Churla (Medicine Hat Tigers) contributed to Florida’s historic run.
The Stanley Cup finalist Edmonton Oilers featured 18 WHL alumni, highlighted by alternate captain Leon Draisaitl (Cologne, Ger./Prince Albert Raiders, Kelowna Rockets), Evander Kane (Vancouver, B.C./Vancouver Giants), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (Burnaby, B.C./Red Deer Rebels), Lane Pederson (Saskatoon, Sask./Seattle Thunderbirds, Red Deer Rebels, Swift Current Broncos), Derek Ryan (Spokane, Wash./Spokane Chiefs), Brett Kulak (Edmonton, Alta./Vancouver Giants), Calvin Pickard (Moncton, N.B./Seattle Thunderbirds) and Stuart Skinner (Edmonton, Alta./Lethbridge Hurricanes, Swift Current Broncos).
(Article courtesy of Cami Kepke – www.chl.ca)
