Stanley Cup visits with dolphins during Florida Panthers summer tour
Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito spent part of his day with the dolphins.
Not the neighboring NFL team Miami Dolphins – but the aquatic mammals.
He took the Stanley Cup to Theater of the Sea, a family-owned tourist attraction in Islamorada in the Florida Keys. Video from WPLG Local10 TV station in Miami showed Zito taking fish from the Stanley Cup's bowl and feeding a dolphin.
Zito also posted photos of a sea lion eating out of the bowl, joining the tradition of dogs, horses and players' children eating from the top of the Stanley Cup.
Zito played a key role in helping the Panthers winning a second consecutive Stanley Cup championship. He acquired Seth Jones and Brad Marchand before the NHL trade deadline. And he managed to get playoff MVP Sam Bennett, Marchand and Aaron Ekblad signed to new deals to give the Panthers a shot at a third consecutive title in 2025-26.
Where has the Stanley Cup been?
The Stanley Cup was taken to the Elbo Room in Fort Lauderdale and then took center stage at the Panthers' parade. It spent a couple days at the NHL draft then went in for engraving.
The names of the 2024-25 winning Panthers are now on the Cup.
Forward Matthew Tkachuk took the Stanley Cup to his St. Louis hometown and while visiting with first responders in Brentwood, Missouri, he posed with the trophy inside a jail cell.
Jones spent his day with the Cup in the Dallas area.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Intriguing Blackhawks Goalie Could Reach New Heights
Earlier this week, the Chicago Blackhawks re-signed goaltender Arvid Soderblom to a two-year, $5.5 million contract. The Blackhawks and Soderblom were scheduled for arbitration, but they have now avoided that by getting this new contract done.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Blake Wheeler Pens Messsage to Jets Fans Following Retirement
Longtime member of the Winnipeg Jets and former captain Blake Wheeler recently announced his retirement from professional hockey. This weekend, he released a lengthy statement to fans, his playing cities, coaches and family as a thank-you to important figures in his life. The full message from Wheeler: With the news out that my playing days are behind me, I wanted to share a message of gratitude for all of the opportunities I've received over the years. Thank you to every coach, staff member, and fan who supported me along the way. A special thank you to all of the medical and equipment trainers I had the pleasure of working with. To my teammates: you pushed me to be my best, and I leave the game with friendships that will last a you to the Phoenix Coyotes, Boston Bruins, Atlanta Thrashers, and New York Rangers for the opportunity to wear your sweaters. It was an honor every time I stepped on the ice. To the city of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Jets organization, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You embraced me and my family from day one and gave me the honor of serving as your captain. Together, we built something special. I'll never forget stepping on the ice for The Whiteout for every big playoff game at home. The energy, the pride, the connection. It was unforgettable. It was more than hockey. It was home. To my parents, Pat and Jim, thank you for your unwavering support. When no one believed in me, you did, and I will always be grateful. To my kids, Louie, Leni, and Mase, sharing this journey with you has been the greatest joy of these past 16 years. I love you. Sam, you have been by my side every step of the way. No one has supported me like you, and I'm thankful for your love and friendship. I love you forever and always. I owe everything I have in this world to the game of hockey, and for that, I am truly grateful. Blake Wheeler
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
Dodgers to Consider Reunion With Playoff Hero: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As the Dodgers search the trade market for relief help, a member of their World Series-winning bullpen is reportedly set to throw for the team. Free agent Joe Kelly was a postseason hero for the Boston Red Sox in 2018 when they beat the Dodgers in the World Series, then for the Dodgers when they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays for the 2020 championship. More news: Yankees Make Trade, Acquire All-Star Third Baseman: Reports Although Kelly finished last season on the Dodgers' injured list, and has yet to sign a new contract for 2025, he never formally announced his retirement. Now 37, Kelly is set to throw for the Dodgers — a necessary step if the reliever were to reunite with the team that signed him twice in the last six years, and traded for him at the 2023 deadline. Matt Beaty #45 of the Los Angeles Dodgers catches a pop fly in front of the mound alongside Joe Kelly #17 in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on... Matt Beaty #45 of the Los Angeles Dodgers catches a pop fly in front of the mound alongside Joe Kelly #17 in the seventh inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on May 18, 2019 in Cincinnati. More"If I come back healthy, I'm only playing for one team, and that's the Dodgers," Kelly told Foul Territory in June. Joe Kelly: "If I come back healthy, I'm only playing for one team, and that's the Dodgers." — Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) June 25, 2025 Kelly broke in with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2012 before his time with the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox and two separate stints in Dodger blue. Through 2024, Kelly had pitched 13 seasons, going 54–38 with a 3.98 ERA over 839 innings, and 767 strikeouts against 355 walks. More news: Mariners Make Blockbuster Trade, Acquire Infielder From Diamondbacks Kelly saved his best work for October. He won two World Series rings from his time with L.A. (2020, 2024) plus another with Boston in 2018. Kelly appeared in all five World Series games in 2018 without allowing a run and striking out six batters in 10 innings for the Red Sox. In 2020, he made five postseason appearances for the Dodgers, totaling 3.2 innings, and didn't allow a run in four of them. More news: Former Yankees Hitting Coach Destroys A-Rod's Critique of Anthony Volpe Since 2016, when he focused on relieving full-time, Kelly is 4-2 with a 3.23 ERA in 30 postseason games, with nine walks and 32 strikeouts in 30.2 innings. The Dodgers could use more swing-and-miss stuff from a bullpen that has lost most of its high-leverage relievers to injuries in 2025. More news: Veteran Pitcher Announces Sudden Retirement From Baseball Blake Treinen, Michael Kopech and Brusdar Graterol have spent most or all of the season on the injured list. They were recently joined by Tanner Scott (elbow). Kirby Yates, who signed a $13 million contract with the Dodgers in December, has a 6.00 ERA in eight July appearances. The Dodgers have room in their bullpen for Kelly. The only question is whether his command, control, and velocity is up to standard. It seems the Dodgers will find out soon. For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
