Sam Reinhart wasn't at the Panthers' first parade. He lived it up this time
It was a moment long in the making.
Reinhart didn't take part in the Panthers' championship parade last year when they won the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history because he had to attend his best friend's wedding that day.
'Obviously you'd love to be there for the parade and to celebrate with the fans,' Reinhart, who scored the game-winning goal in Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final to secure the championship, said at the start of training camp. 'Certainly there's some FOMO [fear of missing out] there, but I made the right decision. I know that. Hopefully, it's something we can build towards again and I'll be there for the next one.'
Fast forward one year, and here the Panthers are again on Fort Lauderdale Beach after winning a second consecutive Stanley Cup — something only six other teams have accomplished in the expansion era (since the 1967-68 season).
And this time, Reinhart was there to enjoy in the festivities.
After entering on Marchand's shoulders, he took the mic from captain Aleksander Barkov as a few notable plays from his Stanley Cup playoff run — including his first of four goals in the Cup-clinching Game 6 of the Cup Final against Edmonton — played on screen.
'The only thing I've heard all day is how this is the best parade that's ever happened in South Florida,' Reinhart said. 'Thank God I missed last year and not this year.'
Reinhart then channeled in inner DJ Khaled for the rest of his speech.
'We the best! And I mean that!' said Reinhart, who led the Panthers with 39 goals and 81 points in the regular season, tied for the team lead with 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists in the playoffs) and finished runner-up to Barkov for the Selke Trophy given annually to the NHL's best defensive forward. 'Another one!'
It capped a wild week that saw Reinhart unleash his wild side.
His peak moments came Thursday night into Friday morning when the team went to E11even, a worldwide known nightclub in Miami. Reinhart climbed a stripper pole to grab a signed Barkov jersey from the a trapeze bar hanging from the rafters to chants of his nickname, 'Reino! Reino!'
Later in the night, Reinhart was seen with forward Evan Rodrigues pouring shots down people's throats and even handing out full bottles.
'Reino's had a couple legendary moments so far,' Marchand said.
Added coach Paul Maurice on Saturday: 'I would think any celebration and anything that he would enjoy like that would be strictly for the other players, the laughter amongst them, right? Sam's not trying to build a brand here, but he has one in our room. He's got a great sense of humor. He's very, very bright. Really well spoken. Understands the game at a high level. He understands the game completely differently and on a higher level than I do because he's a player. He's a quiet man, but he has a voice. When you need it, he will say something on the bench. He has a great sense of when they need him to speak and he has that time.'
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