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 community around here, the people. Everyone was just very nice, kind and very appreciative.
“So I’m really thankful that I was able to start (my career) here. And I hope that I gave some people good memories.”
The Panthers gave Knight a video tribute during the first TV timeout in the first period. Many of the Blackhawks looked up to watch, and when it was over Knight gave the fans a wave as many in the crowd rose for a standing ovation.
“I was playing the game,” Knight said. “I saluted the crowd, but I was there to play hockey.”
The Panthers drafted Knight, a former Boston College star, with the No. 13 pick in 2019. He went 44-25-7 in parts of four seasons with Florida, plus 1-1 in a pair of playoff starts in 2021.
He was the primary piece the Panthers gave up in a trade last season that brought defenseman Seth Jones from Chicago to Florida. Knight went 5-8-2 in 15 games with the Hawks after the trade.
“It’s a special little connection there,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said of seeing Knight again. “For me, as a player, it was always his explosiveness. He’s just an incredible athlete. And his ability to get from one side of the net to the other under control with strength.
“I think he’s going to be a great goaltender for the Chicago Blackhawks for a lot of years.”