Panthers to retire number to honor Huizenga

Dec 10, 2017 - 6:46 PM The Florida Panthers plan to retire No. 37 in honor of franchise founder and former owner H. Wayne Huizenga, the team announced Sunday.

Panthers owner Vincent Viola made the announcement on the 25th anniversary since the club was awarded a hockey franchise. The ceremony will take place on Jan. 19 at BB&T Center when the Panthers host the expansion Vegas Golden Knights.

The No. 37 was selected by the Huizenga family in recognition of Wayne's birth year and lucky number.

"Today, on the 25th anniversary of our franchise's inauguration, we have an opportunity to take stock of our history and celebrate what makes our organization special," Viola said in a statement. "If you look at the history of our franchise, it's clear that the founding years and H. Wayne Huizenga's stewardship represents a golden era for our club. We aspire to his example, both on the ice and in the community, which is why we're honored to hang the number 37 from BB&T Center's rafters as a permanent tribute to H. Wayne Huizenga and the Huizenga family's community leadership and high standard of excellence."

The No. 37 will be the second number retired by the franchise and both honor front office members. In October 2010, the organization raised No. 93 to the rafters in honor of William A. Torrey, the former Panthers president and current special advisor to the general manager.

"I was honored to partner with Wayne in the founding years of this franchise and I'm thrilled that our names will permanently fly side-by-side over Panthers games," Torrey said. "Our club will forever aspire to Wayne's standard of excellence on the ice and his community leadership off of it, which is why he's deserving of the highest honor the Florida Panthers can bestow."

On Dec. 10, 1992, the NHL awarded Huizenga an NHL franchise, later named the Panthers. In the inaugural season, the club nearly qualified for the playoffs and amassed 83 points, an NHL record for an expansion franchise that still stands today.

Huizenga, 79, formerly owned the Panthers, Marlins and Dolphins in South Florida. He sold the Panthers in 2001.