The National Hockey League pre-season begins at BB&T Center in one month. The Florida Panthers play six pre-season home games at the rink before the regular season gets underway in early October.
Our hotel is close to BB&T Center, with free breakfast and free WiFi. Take advantage of our make-your-own waffle bar, then grab a few rays by the pool before the game. We also invite you to enjoy our on-site restaurant, Marina 84 Sports Bar & Grill. We’re set up to do hockey right this year!
The Panthers hope to make the playoffs in 2015 after finishing at the back-of-thepack the past two seasons. The team has added a new coach and veteran depth, to a squad loaded with recent high draft picks. Coach Gerard Gallant joins the team from Montreal, where he was their top assistant coach.
Among the six free agents added the year, defenseman Willie Mitchell (Kings), center Dave Boland (Blackhawks) and forward Shawn Thornton (Bruins) all have Stanley Cup experience.
Hopes are high the team can blend their established players with fresh faces Nick Bjugstad (center, #19 overall pick 2010), Johnathan Huberdeau (left wing, #3 overall pick 2011) and Aleksander Barkov (center, #2 overall pick 2013). Another defenseman, Erik Ekblad, was drafted #1 overall this year.
Goalie Roberto Luongo is back, too. He finished strong last year after being acquired from Vancouver in March.
There are 43 games on the Panthers home schedule, beginning with the Dallas Stars on Sept. 24 and ending with the New Jersey Devils on April 11.
Regular season ticket prices range from $15 to $120.