Bill Zito feels like he is home again in Finland

Pardon Bill Zito if he appears to be downright giddy.

You have to forgive him because he has proven you can go home again.

On the Florida Panthers' day off during their NHL Global Series trip to Finland, Zito was going to be spending time looking for treats. Just like building a Stanley Cup Champion, Zito would not be stopped until it is mission accomplished.

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"I will probably go to Fazer and buy as much chocolate as I could," Zito told a group of reporters on Wednesday. "I will probably go fishing with my buddy from Axle Park. I am excited for that."

Karl Fazer's chocolate is known as some of the best in the world. Zito wants to accumulate as much as possible.

Zito was born in Pittsburgh and raised in Wisconsin. However, the Panthers general manager used to live, work and play hockey in Finland.

Zito played in Solo for a third-division team. He said he was not very good, but they all worked hard and had fun.

"We were in third division and they built a new ice hall there and we were trying to get the local hockey up and running," Zito said. "For me, it was just the greatest experience ever."

When Zito was asked what position he played, he gave a very cognizable response.

"I don't know the Finnish word for plumber, but I wasn't very good," Zito said. "It was a team where all the guys worked and then came to the hall at night for practice. It was really a labor of love."

Zito said it was some of the most fun he has ever had.

"If you loved hockey and you were around that environment, it was wonderful," Zito said. "I am going to see those guys in Tampa too."

Zito left Solo after the 1988-89 season after he tore his rotator cuff.

"I don't think they missed me," Zito said with a chuckle.

He stayed in Finland until 2000, undertaking various NHL player agent roles for Finnish players. He then came back to the states to get into management positions in the NHL.

Zito was hired as the Panthers general manager in 2020.

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