Sun Dec 28 19:30:00 UTC 2025: Headline: Frozen Paradise: Florida Panthers Prep for Historic Tropical Winter Classic
MIAMI, FL – The Florida Panthers are gearing up for a landmark event: the 2026 NHL Winter Classic, a historic outdoor game set to take place in the heart of Miami at LoanDepot Park, home of the Miami Marlins. On January 2nd, the Panthers will face off against the New York Rangers in what will be the first-ever outdoor ice hockey game played in a tropical climate.
Despite some initial skepticism from those outside South Florida, the NHL is moving full steam ahead. General Manager Bill Zito expressed the team’s excitement, stating, “It’s inspiring to think that we are in South Florida, trying to grow our sport, get more people exposed to our game. And to think that we’re able to do it here in this beautiful facility outdoors, it’s pretty exciting.”
The stadium is undergoing a dramatic transformation. The ice has already begun being laid, and the field will be split into two distinct environments: one side mimicking a traditional winter landscape with a mini ice rink and fake snow, the other embracing the Floridian climate with beach sand, palm trees, and perhaps even a speedboat.
The Panthers are embracing the unique occasion, debuting special throwback-inspired jerseys that pay homage to the short-lived Tropical Hockey League of the 1930s. “Winter Classic jerseys are usually different,” said Evan Rodrigues. “That brings some of the Panthers past into play with a new look.”
The NHL is taking every precaution to ensure the ice quality. Two ice-making trucks are on-site, and a thicker-than-standard ice sheet is being created. With the stadium’s retractable roof closed and the air conditioning cranked up, the conditions inside LoanDepot Park are surprisingly frosty.
“Over the years, we have refined the making of ice to the point where it is quite the science,” said Steve Mayer, President of NHL Events and Content.
Game time is set for 8 p.m., and the latest forecasts are promising, predicting a blast of arctic air with lows in the 50s and a zero percent chance of rain. Fans may even need to bundle up for “Hockey Night in the Tropics.”
Coach Paul Maurice summed up the feeling: “For us northern kids, it’s how we grew up. And when you hit that ice, you get brought right back to when you were a kid. You get all these great memories. So, it will be great.” The Florida Panthers are ready to make history, bringing the thrill of outdoor hockey to a whole new audience in the Sunshine State.
First Piper 