Fansided

Which NHL mascot would you want with you in a bar fight?

By Dane Quinn

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 28: Carolina Hurricanes' mascot Stormy avoids the stick-check by Arizona Coyotes' mascot Howler the Coyote during the mascot game prior to the NHL All-Star Game on January 28, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 28: Carolina Hurricanes' mascot Stormy avoids the stick-check by Arizona Coyotes' mascot Howler the Coyote during the mascot game prior to the NHL All-Star Game on January 28, 2018, at Amalie Arena in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SUNRISE, FL – FEBRUARY 25: Florida Panthers Mascot Stanley C. Panther pumps up the crowd during a break in the action against the Arizona Coyotes at the BB
SUNRISE, FL – FEBRUARY 25: Florida Panthers Mascot Stanley C. Panther pumps up the crowd during a break in the action against the Arizona Coyotes at the BB /

20. Stanley C. Panther (Florida Panthers)

There are many superstitious players in the National Hockey League. For more than 100 years, players have grown playoff beards and avoided touching the Stanley Cup unless they were part of a championship winning squad. For the Florida Panthers, they may have cursed themselves by naming their official mascot Stanley C. Panther. They appeared in the 1996 Stanley Cup Final, but lost to the Colorado Avalanche in five games. To their credit, they do have one more win in the Stanley Cup Final than the Las Vegas Golden Knights.

As for Stanley C. Panther, he’s been the team’s official mascot since day one. Like all mascots, Stanley C. Panther is heavily involved in the Miami area. He’s been an excellent feline for the people of Florida. It hasn’t been as smooth with the Panthers’ front office.

2012 was a year to forget for Stanley C. Panther. It wasn’t enough that the NHL owners locked out the players; one owner locked out its own mascot. That’s right; Stanley C. Panther was fired by Panthers’ CEO Michael Yormark during the lockout. The unemployed cat wasn’t out of work for long. George Richards of the Miami Herald reported that the Panthers would rehire Stanley C. Panther once the NHL lockout ended. Luckily for Stanley, Richards’ report was confirmed. This wasn’t the only issue Stanley has to deal with.

According to the Miami Herald, Rafael Estevez, one of the portrayers of Stanley C. Panther, claimed that he was illegally terminated after returning to work after a medical leave of absence. Although the case was settled, it was a lot for Stanley C. Panther to deal with.

As you can see, Stanley C. Panther has a tremendous amount on his plate. Well-documented issues with his employers will occupy Stanley’s time. He might be tied up in some legal issues, but if he’s available, his bite will leave a mark in a bar fight.

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