Stanley C. Panther made his NHL debut at the Miami Arena on October 12, 1993. The official mascot of the Florida Panthers is a fun-loving character who loves to entertain the crowd with his crafty, witty style. One of Stanley's biggest thrills is busting a move or two in the aisles during home games and getting the crowd behind their Panthers.

There's an interesting "tail" on how the Florida mascot got to where he is today:

On September 9th, in the mid-80's, proud parents Mason J. Panther and Dixie C. Panther welcomed into their Atlantic City home, a bouncing baby cub. Stanley C. was born just in time to watch pre-season hockey on his father's lap.

Stanley's parents, native Floridians, moved north to Atlantic City to follow Dixie's dream of becoming a showgirl. Growing up back-stage with his mother, Stanley quickly developed a precocious attitude. Tempered only by his father's humble work ethic, Stanley was a favorite of the other girls in the chorus line.

Mason spent his days working hard as a used car salesman, and his nights following his favorite sport, hockey. When the bright lights faded away, Mason packed his family and high-tailed back home to East Naples, Florida, where Stanley quickly got a job as an airboat guide in the Everglades. Using his mother's sense of showmanship and father's savvy, Stanley became quite popular amongst the tourist crowd in the Sunshine State.

Soon after the Florida Panthers announced the acquisition of a franchise in South Florida, they began the search for a spokesman. Taking a break from the stressful three months it took to put the Panthers on the ice, some people from the front office took a brief retreat to the Everglades. That's where they found their man. They invited Stanley to come to their first game at Miami Arena, even offering a limousine to transport the talented cat from his home in the Everglades.

Stanley now resides in Sunrise, Florida in a special bachelor apartment underneath National Car Rental Center. He shares the hope with South Florida hockey fans that one day soon the Panthers will obtain the object for which he was named, The Stanley Cup.

Panther's main goal is to rally the Florida fans at the Miami Arena, but he is also widely involved in events outside the National Car Rental Center, as he routinely is involved in charity events and feel-good appearances.

When he isn't making children of all ages smile, he loves to munch on Duck Soup, Shark Steaks and Buffalo Wings while watching his favorite TV shows Top Cat, Heathcliff and Courageous Cat & Minute Mouse. Stanley also loves viewing flicks like That Darn Cat, Slap Shot and the Aristocats. Two other things Stanley loves doing are stomping on bugs, especially ones named Thunder, and phoning Howler in Denver and asking him how the weather is.

Howler and Stanley C. are bitter rivals because the Florida mascot holds the Colorado mascot responsible for the Avs' victory over Florida in the '96 Cup Finals. Of course, if someone tries to tell Stanley that Howler didn't make his debut until October of '97, he will not entertain the thought. As for his cross-town rival ThunderBug, Stanley C. feels there is only room in the state for one No. 1 mascot and he will do whatever is necessary to be Florida's top cat.