SUNRISE, Fla. — Fans of the Florida Panthers cheered the Stanley Cup. Cheered the banner going to the rafters. Cheered the return of the back-to-back NHL champions.
And cheered the opposing goaltender.
Yes, some Panthers fans still shout “Knight” during the playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before each game, even though Spencer Knight — the former Florida goalie whose name is on the Stanley Cup as part of the 2023-24 championship squad — no longer plays for the team.
Knight was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks last season and started against the Panthers in the season opener Tuesday night. He made 34 saves, but the Panthers won 3-2 .
“Honestly, I didn’t know if they still did or not, but that’s cool,” Knight said before the game. “And that goes through, top to bottom, the whole