For young hockey players, Monday, Aug. 4, wasn’t just another day of summer camp in South Florida - it turned into an unforgettable hockey experience. As soon as they stepped off the ice at Baptist IcePlex, one Stanley Cup champion after another began taking over the rink. Suddenly, what started as an ordinary summer morning became a front-row seat to some of the NHL’s biggest stars preparing for another season.
It’s no secret that Baptist IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale is a world-class facility featuring two NHL-size ice sheets and serving as the home of the Florida Panthers’, its youth, sled hockey, and Learn to Skate programs. But what makes the rink truly special during the offseason is that you never know who you will meet in the hallways.
One day, you’re watching your child at practice. The next, you’re standing just a few feet away from Stanley Cup champions and NHL stars. Luckily, the team store is right there, making it easy to grab a puck, jersey, or trading card for an autograph.
One Stanley Cup champion after another
Young athletes from different parts of Florida, the U.S., and Mexico hit the ice at 8:00 a.m. on Monday. Little did they know that right after their session, one Stanley Cup champion after another would skate on the same ice.
First, the Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov and a rookie defenseman Matvei Shuravin skated in different zones. Shuravin, who is yet to make his NHL or AHL debut, wasn’t dressed in full equipment and spent most of his session working on his shot.
Later, the two-time Stanley Cup champion and former Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mikhail Sergachev joined the Cats. Before the workout even began, Kulikov and Sergachev casually stayed on the ice chatting, showing that summer hockey is just as much about friendships as it is about preparation.
The party only got bigger when Carter Verhaeghe and Aaron Ekblad hit the ice. Former in-state rivals greeted each other with smiles before getting down to work.
Summer hockey with Stanley Cup champions
Sergachev, who now represents the Utah Mammoth, and two Panthers veterans worked under the supervision of a skills coach, focusing on passing, shooting, puck possession, and small-area drills.
Interestingly, both Verhaeghe and Sergachev won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021.
It’s another reminder that no matter how intense and physical the playoff battles become during the NHL season, summer brings everyone together. Rivalries are put on hold, friendships return, and the game becomes fun again.
The NHL practice was carefully watched by the young hockey players, who had the unique opportunity to observe the professionals between their own on-ice and off-ice training sessions. All relaxed and smiling. NHL stars laughed at themselves when they missed the net.
More NHL stars join the party
The next day was even hotter, as Patrick Laine, currently without a contract, and one of the NHL’s most physical defensemen, Nikita Zadorov of the Boston Bruins, joined the squad.
Even though Sam Bennett wasn’t present at either practice, who doesn’t remember the heated battles between Bennett and Zadorov?
But it’s summer! Everything is friendly and fun.
Well… almost. Aaron Ekblad still enjoys winning his small-area-game battles against everyone on the ice.
NHL’s premier summer destination
As NHL training camps get closer, more Panthers players are expected to show up, while fewer players from other organizations will remain in South Florida.
Hovever, one thing never changes at Baptist IcePlex - you simply never know who is going to walk through the doors. It could be a future Hall of Famer, a Stanley Cup champion, or one of the league’s brightest young stars.
So, if you’re planning a visit to the rink, don’t forget a marker, a trading card, or your favorite jersey. You might leave with much more than just another day at the rink.
The Florida Panthers should be proud that their state-of-the-art practice facility has become one of the NHL’s premier offseason training destinations, attracting elite players from across the league year after year while giving young hockey players a chance to witness NHL excellence up close.
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