After 30 years in the NHL, the Florida Panthers have done it—they’re Stanley Cup Champions… for the second year in a row! 🏆
But what makes this victory even sweeter for us here at Catfluence is how deeply this team’s journey has been intertwined with cats, cat lovers, and an undeniable spirit of feline fierceness.
From head coach Paul Maurice’s proud cat dad energy to Sam Bennett’s heartwarming animal advocacy, the 2025 championship season wasn’t just a win for hockey—it was a win for cats everywhere.
Paul Maurice: Coach, Champion, Cat Dad
At the Panthers’ 2024 Stanley Cup celebration, head coach Paul Maurice made headlines not just for his leadership, but for his look. Rocking a custom shirt featuring his cats, Bobby and Penny, Maurice proved that behind every great team is a coach who knows how to embrace his inner cat dad.
Coach Maurice also wore his love for his feline friends on his sleeve—or rather, on his chest. Earlier this year, fans spotted him sporting a shirt with the same two kitties lounging in total relaxation. The message? You can be tough on the ice and still soft for your cats. 😻
Even better—at the 2025 Cup parade, along with ANOTHER pawesome cat shirt made by his daughter, he added a cherry on top: a Benny’s Buddies hat, showing support for one of the league’s most compassionate players.
Sam Bennett: MVP of Hockey and Animal Welfare
Sam Bennett, who secured the Conn Smythe Trophy as the 2025 NHL Playoffs MVP, didn’t just stop at scoring goals and lifting trophies. Through his nonprofit initiative, Benny’s Buddies, Bennett sponsored the adoption of one animal for every single goal he scored this season. That’s right—for every puck he sent into the net, a shelter animal got a shot at a forever home.
Following the Panthers’ championship win, Bennett brought his newly earned Conn Smythe Trophy straight to the Humane Society of Broward County to celebrate with the real MVPs—cats and dogs waiting for adoption. 😻🏒🐾
This isn’t a new passion project either. Since launching Bennie’s Buddies, Sam has continued to raise awareness for animal adoption and shelter support. He’s shown that his heart off the ice is just as strong as his play on it.
A New Contract, A New Era
In the midst of championship celebrations, the Panthers locked in their MVP—Bennett signed a massive 8-year, $64 million contract extension with Florida, solidifying not just his role in the team’s future, but also likely the continued growth of Bennie’s Buddies.
This means more support for local shelters, more animals finding homes, and more opportunities to raise awareness around pet adoption—all fueled by one of the NHL’s most respected power forwards.
Cats, Hockey, and a Cup Full of Love
The Florida Panthers’ 2025 season will be remembered for a lot of things: a dominant playoff run, unforgettable goals, and a long-awaited Stanley Cup win. But for the cat-loving community, it’s the off-ice moments that hit closest to home.
Whether it’s Coach Maurice proudly wearing his cat shirt or Sam Bennett walking into a shelter with a championship trophy and a heart full of compassion, the Panthers have proven that being a champion isn’t just about what you do on the ice—it’s also about who you are when the game ends.
At Catfluence, we salute the Florida Panthers for showing the world that cat lovers can also be legends. 🐱🏆