Yahoo Sports Evan Rodrigues throws out first pitch on Florida Panthers Night at Miami Marlins game
Fans celebrated a championship on Friday night at loanDepot park.
Unfortunately for fans of the Miami Marlins, it wasn’t for their beloved baseball team.
Friday was Florida Panthers Night at the Little Havana ballpark, with the Marlins hosting their cross-town colleagues in honor of the Cats’ Stanley Cup championship.
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Representing the Cats was forward Evan Rodrigues, who threw out the first pitch before the Marlins faced the Philadelphia Phillies.
“When you think about first pitches, you never think it’s going to be you,” Rodrigues said. “I’ve had a couple people tell me it’s further than it looks, so make sure not to leave it short.”
The Stanley Cup had been back in Florida after enjoying a fun trip around the globe to visit all the Cats players, coaches, managers and executives who received a special day with the historic trophy.
Receiving their days this week were Cats Goalie Coach Robb Tallas and Assistant Video Coach John Congemi.
Next up for their Stanley Cup quality time is Spencer Knight, who is bringing the Cup home to his native Connecticut on Sunday.
Rodrigues joked that it’s much more chill to attend someone else Stanley Cup party than hosting your own.
“It's almost been more relaxing and more fun when you go to other guys cup parties, because you don't have to worry about anything,” he said. “You just kind of enjoy it, look at it and just, embrace it more. It's been really cool getting a few days with it.”
The short but spectacular summer for the champion Cats will soon be coming to an end. In a few short weeks Rodrigues and his teammates will be on the ice at the Baptist Health IcePlex in Fort Lauderdale for training camp.
Florida will be looking to repeat as Stanley Cup champions and regain the magic that led them to the mountaintop last season.
“I think you treat it just like any other season,” Rodrigues said. I think that's what they did last year. There was no, ‘We made it last year, where are we going to go this year,’ it was, ‘We have a goal in mind, what does it take to get there, what do we have to do to get there, and let's go do it.’”
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