SUNRISE, Fla. – With the Stanley Cup Final about to begin, the city of Sunrise is raising the stakes in a lighthearted rivalry with the mayor of Edmonton.
City officials, who were joined by Florida Panthers mascot Stanley C. Panther, announced a friendly wager with Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi, tied to the outcome of the NHL championship series between the Sunrise-based Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers.
The Panthers, back in the Final for a second straight year after last season’s Game 7 win at Amerant Bank Arena, have inspired a new twist on last year’s bet.
In 2024, Sunrise sent a signed Florida Panthers jersey to Sohi, who wore it graciously after the Oilers’ loss.
This time, Sunrise leaders want more than just a jersey exchange.
If the Panthers win, they’re asking Edmonton to declare an official day recognizing the Florida Panthers and the city of Sunrise.
Sunrise Mayor Michael Ryan made the announcement alongside Deputy Mayor Neil C. Kerch, Assistant Deputy Mayor Jacqueline A. Guzman, Commissioner Latoya S. Clarke and Commissioner Joseph A. Scuotto.
“The Sunrise community — and all of South Florida — couldn’t be more excited as the Florida Panthers are on course to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions,” Ryan said in a news release on Tuesday. “What this team continues to accomplish on and off the ice is remarkable. They’ve made such an impact since their move to Sunrise in 1998, and every season continues to be more exceptional than the last. Mayor Sohi continues to be a great sport in our cross-continent rivalry, but we’re all rooting for the Stanley Cup to stay in Sunrise once again!”
The Panthers advanced to this year’s Final by defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Toronto Maple Leafs, and most recently the Carolina Hurricanes in a five-game Eastern Conference series. It’s their third straight trip to the conference final.
Game 1 and 2 of the Stanley Cup Final will be played in Edmonton at Rogers Place on Wednesday, June 4, and Friday, June 6. Sunrise fans can attend watch parties at Amerant Bank Arena for both games. The series then heads to South Florida for Games 3 and 4 on Monday, June 9, and Thursday, June 12.
More details about Panthers playoff events can be found at amerantbankarena.com/events/florida-panthers and nhl.com/panthers. Information about the city of Sunrise is available at sunrisefl.gov.
View the Stanley Cup Final schedule here:
