Panthers Organization Annouces Captains

FLORIDA - The Florida Panthers officially announced the players who would be captains.

Last season Owen Nolan was given back the C and performed like one on and off the ice. On the ice he led the team with 40 goals and was 3rd in team scoring with 88 points. Nolan will wear the C again this season.


"It is truly an honor to be once again the captain of this team." Nolan told the press conference. "My job as captain is an easy one on this team. We have so many leaders."

Asked what he thought his team can achieve this year and their was no hesitation in Panthers Captain response.

"We are still feeling the sting from last years game 7 Conference Final against the Champion Islanders. We are confident that we can avenge last years loss and win it all this year. We will really miss Rathje but other then him our other core player are still here from last year and they too still have a bad taste in their mouths from last years defeat. We are a confident and determined group and that is a problem the rest of the league will have to deal with the best they can."

Petr Bondra! The ageless wonder of the Panthers has been named assistant captain. Bondra is coming of an award winning year the seen him lead the league in assists to take home the Wayne Gretzky Trophy and he also won the Bill Mastersons' Trophy for his dedication and sportsmanship.

"This year is going to be a good year for us as a team." Bondra told the press conference. "There is a confidence in our dressing room like this is our year. Every one is relaxed and anxious to get the season on the way."

Bondra was asked about his plans or lack there of for retiring and had this to say.

"I haven't even considered it as a possibility. And I will not decide that until the end of the season. My contract is up so it will be an option for me to consider at the end of the season as to weather a) the Panthers want me back b) they don't want me back but I still want to play or c) retire. As of this moment there is no thought of retiring at this time. As long as I feel I can contribute and perform at this level then I see no reason why this would be my last year."

Last but not least in the trio of Captains is young superstar Stephen Weiss. Weiss is coming off his best season. Stephen was 5th in team goals (26), and 4th in both team assists (45) and points with 71.

He capped off his stellar year by winning the Selke as the league best defensive forward finishing the year off with an amazing + 35.

"This is amazing." Weiss told reporters. "It is another honor that I have received in the last few months. Winning the Selke was "wow" to me and when Mr. Perrault came to me and told me I would be an assistant captain this year it was another "wow" moment for me. This will be another learning experience for me and I have two of the best leaders in the league as mentors in Nolan and Bondra. I am ready for this leadership role and ready to help lead this team to winning the Stanley Cup."