Those who scoffed (and there were many) at the idea of hockey succeeding in South Florida a scant eight years ago have long stopped scoffing and started cheering instead. The Florida Panthers are the model for how to build an "expansion" franchise from scratch.

By making the Stanley Cup Finals in only their third year of existence, the Panthers not only shocked the hockey world, but put to rest for good the notion that a newly established team has to suffer through years of "growing pains" before prosperity sets in.

If there is one word that most aptly describes the Florida approach to the business of hockey, that word would be stability. The team has had the same owner, H. Wayne Huizenga. They have had only one president, the sage and patient William (Bill) Torrey, who earlier gained hockey immortality by building the New York Islanders dynasty in the early 1980s, a dynasty that resulted in four Stanley Cups.

To carry the stability thread three steps further, consider that the Panthers have had only two general managers (Bobby Clarke and Bryan Murray) and only two captains (Brian Skrudland and Scott Mellanby). There have been four coaches (Roger Neilson, Doug MacLean, Bryan Murray and Terry Murray). Buy Florida Panthers Tickets.