In this historical piece, I reflect upon the most electrifying Florida Panthers’ player to ever don the cats jersey. Without a doubt, that player is: Pavel Bure!
I still proudly wear my Pavel Bure jersey to Florida Panthers road games. The number ten white (road) Panthers Bure jersey still gets comments and thumbs up out here in western Canada. You still see Bure jersey’s sprinkled across road rinks around the league. Bure has left a legacy on the game from coast to coast, and everywhere in between.
Ed Jovanovski was an integral part of the organization, but the Bure trade to Florida infused new life and energy into an organization that severely needed it in a competitive sports marketplace.
From the very first time Bure stepped onto the ice as a Florida Panther, his numbers were simply remarkable:
- 1998-99: 11 GP, 13 G, 3 AST, 16 PTS (5 PPG,1 SHG with 29.5 shooting percentage!)
- 1999-00: 74 GP, 58 G, 36 AST, 94 PTS (45 of those goals were even strength/14 GWG!)
- 2000-01: 82 GP, 59 G, 33 AST, 92 PTS (19 PPG, 5 SHG with 8 GWG)
The Russian Rocket would fittingly capture back-to-back NHL Maurice “Rocket” Richard trophies in those seasons, along with finishing third place in the Hart Memorial race for league MVP in 1999-2000.
Bure would follow that up in 2001-02 averaging almost a point-per-game with the Panthers (49 PTS in 56 GP) prior to being traded to the New York Rangers. Unfortunately, Bure’s recurring knee injuries would surface again forcing him into early retirement.
Mike Keenan summed it up best when describing Bure’s aura on the ice:
"“People would come to watch just him play. I have coached a lot of great players and Pavel was my wife’s favorite player. She would say, ‘Every time he gets the puck I have to stand up.’ I said, ‘Well, you’re not alone.”"
Bure’s wicked wrist shot coming down the wing at full speed with opposing defenders on their heels, and his deadly one-timer from the high face off-dot are two of the most lethal scoring attacks the league has ever seen to date. Not to mention, the numerous breakaways he accumulated over his magnificent career that put fear into even the game’s best goaltenders.
Legendary broadcaster Bob Cole remarks in the video above: “He’s worth the ticket, tonight…Pavel Bure”. How many superstar athletes can you truly say that about?
Whether you were: listening on the radio, watching on television, or lucky enough to be there in person, Pavel Bure was pure magic in a Panthers jersey.