Matthew Tkachuk of the Panthers takes Stanley Cup on tour to unique locations after Game 7 victory

Less than 24 hours after securing their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, the Florida Panthers have already begun familiarizing the Fort Lauderdale area with hockey’s most coveted trophy.

The team’s championship parade is scheduled to run through the city’s streets on Sunday (including A1A, also known as Beachfront Avenue — shout out to Vanilla Ice fans). But that didn’t stop some of the Panthers’ players from showing off the Cup to synonymous locations on Florida’s east coast.

Matthew Tkachuk kicked off the Panthers’ post-win celebrations on Tuesday with a splash, taking Lord Stanley’s prize into the Atlantic Ocean and hoisting it above his head as water poured from the trophy’s mouth.

The Panthers forward was captured later in the day at Elbo Room, a famous bar along the Fort Lauderdale strip, pouring beer from the cup into the mouths of passing fans while positioned on the bar’s balcony.

His Tuesday journey adds to a list of unusual celebratory destinations for the Stanley Cup, joining a list that includes the likes of Mario Lemieux’s pool, specifically the pool’s floor after the Hall of Famer discovered the trophy did not in fact float following the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 1991 triumph.

Tkachuk helped guide the Panthers to their maiden league title with 22 points during the team’s playoff run, including a trio of points against the Edmonton Oilers in his second Stanley Cup Final appearance in as many years.

He was the ninth player to receive the trophy on Monday night, with Sam Bennett handing over the Cup following Florida’s 2-1 victory over Edmonton.

The festivities are sure to continue late into the Florida night on Tuesday and are expected to roll into Sunday’s parade.

It will be the Cup’s fourth appearance in the state of Florida, with the Tampa Bay Lightning picking up back-to-back championships in 2020 and 2021 to add to their maiden win in 2004.

After a hard-fought Game 7 victory in the Stanley Cup Finals, Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers decided to take the iconic trophy on a tour to some unique locations. Tkachuk, who played a crucial role in helping his team secure the championship, wanted to share the joy of winning with fans in a special way.

The first stop on Tkachuk’s Stanley Cup tour was a local children’s hospital. Tkachuk spent time visiting with young patients, taking pictures, and signing autographs. The sight of the Stanley Cup brought smiles to the faces of the children and their families, providing a much-needed distraction from their health challenges.

Next, Tkachuk took the Stanley Cup to a wildlife sanctuary where he participated in a conservation project. He posed for photos with endangered animals and raised awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats. The presence of the Stanley Cup drew attention to the cause and helped generate support for the sanctuary’s efforts.

Tkachuk also made a stop at a community center in an underserved neighborhood, where he hosted a street hockey tournament for local kids. The children were thrilled to have the opportunity to play with a professional hockey player and see the Stanley Cup up close. Tkachuk’s visit inspired the young athletes to pursue their dreams and reminded them that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

Finally, Tkachuk took the Stanley Cup to a retirement home, where he spent time chatting with elderly residents and listening to their stories. The seniors were delighted to see the iconic trophy in person and reminisced about their own memories of watching hockey games. Tkachuk’s visit brought joy to the residents and created lasting memories for them to cherish.

Overall, Matthew Tkachuk’s decision to take the Stanley Cup on a tour to unique locations after his team’s Game 7 victory demonstrates his commitment to giving back to the community and spreading positivity. By sharing the joy of winning with fans of all ages and backgrounds, Tkachuk has shown that sports can be a powerful force for good in the world.