Sunrise of the Florida Panthers: The Florida Panthers Hockey in Focus.

Florida residents are preparing for the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1996, and the Fort Lauderdale area is beaming in its own way.

Tampa hockey

The Tampa Bay Lightning and the Vinnik Group made hockey a big part of the city's culture. Winning three Stanley Cups in 30 years was definitely helpful. But the organization works intensely on developing and promoting the game around Florida. The Lightning Made campaign has been so successful that it's easy to see kids wearing branded jerseys all over the state, in Daytona, Fort Myers, Orlando, Jacksonville, Boca Raton, and other cities.

The neighbors from Tampa had their watch parties right at the stadium last postseason. Fans enjoyed a game-like experience at Amalie Arena when the team was on the road. All ages included. Fans spent $10 per person to get inside, all confessions and branded TBL stores were open, a DJ, a game host, and energy teams were there too. It was a real gameday experience without the TBL players being on the ice. The proceeds from ticket sales were shared with the Lightning Foundation. So, the VG was making money, keeping its fans happy, and caring for charities – all simultaneously, without having the team in town.

Daria Mironova near Amalie Arena in Tampa.

Panthers on style

The Florida Panthers organized watch parties at local bars, but those were space and age-limited. That's a big no-no in Florida and modern hockey. Isn't our game family-friendly? How could one not count on younger generations' opinions? Having the Panthers Kids Club and emailing sweepstakes are insufficient to establish lifelong relationships. Kids have to experience the Panthers' success, too.

The Cats were always in the shadows and not the leading team in the state. The current playoff run is a good chance for the Florida Panthers organization to strengthen its relationship with its community and other hockey fans. But there are so many points to learn from the best—the Tampa Bay Lightning.

It still feels like the Panthers, this season specifically, have devoted too much time to one player's brand establishment instead of expanding the fan base. The organization hasn't changed its pre-game entertainment inside and outside the arena in years. Well, maybe it has, but nothing stands out. If a family attends home games often, anyone can get tired of the same things. It was hard to understand if the first and second rounds had any pre-game shows at all?! It might not be necessary, but eventually, fans will start asking why Dallas, Vegas, Edmonton, and Tampa have such great intros and the Panthers don't.

One thing is for sure—Floridians are getting ready for the Stanley Cup Final. On Sunday, May 28, the central parking lot of the FLA arena was almost packed. The team store announced its working hours and new merchandise arrival on the Panthers' Instagram page. I went there to complete my research and buy a birthday present for a 7-year-old loyal fan (who can't attend any Panthers watch parties with his friends and teammates because they are minors).

The Florida Panthers merchandise.

I was in line with 40 people. It was amazing to see an overcrowded store, see excited smiles, hear the noise, almost roar, and finally feel that people care about hockey in the area. Sunrise is ready. Fort Lauderdale has a few banners on the streets. Lord Stanley is here, Florida!