Photo credit: Katie Engleson
AJ Greer gave the Florida Panthers their brightest moment of the week by inviting a young oncology patient named TaKobe to watch warmups from the bench.
Greer has built a quiet reputation for regular visits to local children's hospitals, but this one hit differently. Seeing TaKobe, bundled in team gear and smiling through every minute of it, offered a reminder of hockey's reach beyond standings and scorelines. Florida has navigated injuries, cap strain, and a draining schedule, yet this scene pulled everything back to what matters most.
Katie Engleson captured the moment, noting that Greer made sure TaKobe had the best view in the building. Players tapped their sticks as they skated by, and even in a tightly scripted pregame routine, the bench slowed down long enough to acknowledge the young fan's presence. It was genuine, unforced, and emotionally grounding for everyone watching.
AJ Greer lifts Florida Panthers community spirit
As a fan, I found myself replaying the clip because it reminded me why this sport resonates even when the results sting. Greer has carved out his role on the ice with physicality and pace, but scenes like this show who he is away from it.
Florida's locker room embraces that culture. The group has always prioritized community visibility, from hospital visits to youth programs, and Greer's consistency in that space has earned admiration inside and outside the organization. During a season where so much has felt heavy, his connection with TaKobe delivered an emotional reset.
Moments like this ripple, too. You could see players smirking behind their visors, nudging each other as TaKobe lit up beside Greer. That energy carries into games in ways fans do not always see, reinforcing the identity Paul Maurice has pushed since arriving, play hard, care hard, stay connected.
Win or lose, this was the highlight of the day for the entire Panthers community. Hockey can be sharp and unforgiving, but it also makes space for gestures that outlast any result. Greer made sure of that before the puck even dropped.