It may not qualify as a holiday miracle but there will be an OUTDOOR NHL game in South Florida right after New Year’s Day.
The Florida Panthers will host the New York Rangers on Jan. 2 at 8 p.m., at loanDepot Park in Miami. The matchup will make NHL history as the southernmost outdoor game. It also will mark the 17th NHL Winter Classic since the tradition began in 2008.
Meanwhile, the NHL and Fanatics have unveiled the Discover NHL Winter Classic uniforms to be worn when the reigning two-time Stanley Cup Champion Panthers face off against the Rangers.
According to the release, “the Panthers’ NHL Winter Classic uniform pays homage to Florida’s hockey history and local military ties. The jersey features a vintage take on the original ‘leaping panther’ crest, executed with felt and chain stitching that evoke hockey’s traditional craftsmanship. The same craftsmanship is apparent in the shoulder patch of the jersey. The jersey’s design, which includes decorative stitching with chevrons, is inspired in part by South Florida’s military heritage. Lastly, the jersey’s rear hem loop features the silhouette of the Panthers’ rat, honoring the team’s beloved and long-standing tradition of throwing rats onto the ice after home victories.”
The jerseys and additional NHL Winter Classic merchandise, including team apparel, headwear and more, will be available beginning Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. at FlaTeamShop.com and at Pantherland stores. There are even special hours for fans to shop at the two Pantherland stores:
Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise
- Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reopens at 6 p.m. through end of Panthers-Devils game
- Nov. 22 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Reopens at 6 p.m. through end of Panthers-Oilers game
Baptist Health IcePlex, Fort Lauderdale
- Nov. 20-23 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
A limited number of tickets to the game are still available via Ticketmaster.
The NHL Winter Classic continues the tradition the League established in 2008 of hosting a regular-season outdoor game near the turn of the calendar year. The Panthers-Rangers matchup – televised by TNT – will be the first NHL outdoor game staged in the Sunshine State and the first of two scheduled for the 2025-26 season to celebrate the explosive growth of hockey in Florida over the last three decades.
The Tampa Bay Lighting host the Boston Bruins on Feb. 1 at Raymond James Stadium.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: NHL Winter Classic uniforms unveiled for Florida Panthers-New York Rangers
