Photo credit: NHL MEDIA
Florida Panthers dads, the Discover Winter Classic, and Road to the NHL meet as Episode 1 shines a light on family, hockey culture, and a unique season moment for South Florida.
Dad's trips are usually low key, but this one had teeth, laughs, and cameras everywhere. The Florida Panthers invited the dads along recently, and the NHL captured it for Episode 1 of Road to the NHL Discover Winter Classic presented by Enterprise.
The short clip shared by NHL Media shows the fathers leaning fully into the experience, joking around and clearly enjoying being part of the grind. For a veteran Panthers roster, those moments matter during a long season.
Florida enters this Winter Classic cycle as the defending Stanley Cup champions, and that context matters. This group has already climbed the mountain, so the focus now is sustaining habits rather than chasing validation.
The Panthers have been steady all year, controlling play with strong exits and layered forechecking. They sit near the top of the Atlantic by expected goals, driven by depth scoring and one of the league's most structured defensive systems.
That foundation allows space for moments like this dad's trip, which can quietly reset energy without disrupting routine. Coaches often talk about family time as a pressure release, and this clip shows why.
Florida Panthers family moments fuel Winter Classic push
As a fan watching this, it feels earned rather than staged. You see pride, not branding, and that resonates with a market still building deep hockey roots.
The series itself follows the Panthers and New York Rangers on the road to the Winter Classic at loanDepot Park. It will be the first outdoor regular season NHL game ever played in Florida, scheduled for January 2.
For Florida's veterans, that outdoor game is another box to check. Aleksander Barkov, now 30, remains the engine, coming off a Cup run and continuing to drive possession at elite levels. Matthew Tkachuk, 27, still drags opponents into uncomfortable areas every night.
The dads' presence reinforces how tight this group remains after winning it all. Teams that fracture after success rarely defend well, and Florida continues to suppress slot chances at one of the league's best rates.
Episode 1 airs Friday night on Sportsnet, giving fans a softer entry point before the tactical grind ramps up. The Panthers know the hockey will take care of itself if habits stay sharp.
That balance between business and joy is what championship teams protect best, and this dad's trip captured it cleanly.