Latest news with #Reino
Miami Herald
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Sam Reinhart wasn't at the Panthers' first parade. He lived it up this time
Sam Reinhart made his way to the stage on Fort Lauderdale Beach on top of Brad Marchand's shoulders, pumping his fist and firing up a crowd of more than 200,000 Florida Panthers fans on Sunday afternoon. 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.'
Miami Herald
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Lobster, champagne and stripper poles: Panthers party like rock stars in Miami
Can't stop, won't stop. The Florida Panthers kept the party going to the extremes Thursday night two days after winning their second consecutive championship at home against the Edmonton Oilers. The guys had already celebrated so hard the day before in Fort Lauderdale Beach that they banged up the actual Stanley Cup. Insiders told us that the guys painted the town red starting at Maple & Ash at downtown's Miami World Center. The boisterous crew toasted to their back to back titles, along with the guest of honor, the (repaired) trophy, as well as a famous fellow diner, tennis great Martina Navratilova. The entire team indulged in an 'extravagant' dinner party for 40 at the upscale steakhouse, taking over the VIP area, and tucking into Chef Danny Grant's so called IDGAF Chef's Menu…Champions edition. The protein- and calorie-packed recovery meal included dry-aged meatballs, bone-in ribeye and lobster spaghetti followed by chocolate cake, coconut cream pie, and raspberry macarons. Drink of choice: 'Expensive' California cabs, and naturally, champagne, guzzled out of the Stanley Cup. After chowing down and toasting their win, the Cats moved the festivities to E11EVEN, the 24/7 ultraclub where dozens of cheering hockey fans were already waiting by the red carpet. Once inside, things got a little crazy, Miami style (just like last year). Rapper Rick Ross sent over a 15-liter bottle of his Belaire bubbly, which immediately got sprayed in every direction. While winger Brad Marchand crowd surfed, the rest of the gang piled on the main stage dancing to Chappell Roan's hit 'Pink Pony Club.' If you know, you know: the Edmonton Oilers adopted it as a victory song during the playoffs. Burn. The ecstatic teammates then all began dancing and screaming, 'We got the Cup!' while the packed club chanted along. As iconic Queen anthem 'We Are the Champions' came over the speakers, confetti rained down and smoke came out of nowhere. That's when the crowd went absolutely wild, we were told of the blowout that lasted well past 3 a.m. Among the many highlights of the evening/early morning was center Sam Bennett dropping the bombshell that he intends to stay a Cat, by uttering the famous line from 'The Wolf of Wall Street' — 'I ain't f---ing leaving!' Another viral moment was born when fellow center Sam Reinhart climbed a stripper pole to grab a signed Aleksander Barkov jersey from the a trapeze bar hanging from the rafters, while people yelled his nickname, 'Reino! Reino!' The wild scene was captured on Barstool Sports' Instagram page with the caption, 'THE FLORIDA PANTHERS MAY NEVER SLEEP AGAIN.' We feel like at least a few probably did eventually get some well earned shut-eye after that booze-soaked, exhilarating rager. 'Wherever you looked they were, truly enjoying partying with their fans,' dished a fellow patron. 'And those fans who waited all night to get in were drinking from the same champagne bottle as the champs.' Speaking of enjoying time with fans: Upstairs in the balcony, Brad Marchand, double fisting beers, managed to sign fans' plastic rat souvenirs. One woman asked him to autograph her forehead, which he contemplated briefly, but said no. After that acrobatic stunt on the pole, Reinhart was later seen with forward Evan Rodrigues pouring shots down fans' throats and handing out full bottles to revelers. Though Reinhart was up playing bartender until the wee hours, the NHL superstar was able to eventually clock in at Raising Canes in Tamarac on Friday for a 'celebratory shift.' 'There was no sobriety check this morning,' the pro told reporters. Miami Herald reporter Amanda Rosa contributed to this story.
