MIAMI — Wayne Gretzky stood on stage at the Discover Face-Off Panel, taking in the large crowd of enthusiastic Florida Panthers and New York Rangers fans gathered outside loanDepot park.
“It’s incredible to see how our sport is expanding,” Gretzky noted. “Sure, it’s exciting in cities like Buffalo and Boston, but hockey is thriving in Florida and California too. People are playing and loving the game, and today’s turnout proves it.”
This event marked the Panthers’ hosting of the Rangers in the 2026 Discover NHL Winter Classic—the first outdoor regular-season game in Florida. It highlights the growing popularity of hockey in non-traditional markets.
During the panel, Gretzky exchanged stories with Nick Fotiu, a retired Rangers player. Fotiu, who played in the NHL for 13 seasons, shared his only outdoor game experience—an alumni matchup against the Philadelphia Flyers in 2012. “It was unbelievable,” he recalled. “We had legends like Bernie Parent on the ice, and even our coach wanted to win so badly. I thought, ‘Let the Flyers take this one. It’s just fun to be here!’”
Gretzky brought his unique perspective, having weathered both scorching heat and frigid cold during outdoor games. He reminisced about playing in 100-degree weather in Las Vegas and enduring minus-40 temperatures in Edmonton. “I’ll tell you, the heat in Vegas was way more fun,” he laughed.
Hockey’s growth is echoed by recent surveys showing increasing youth participation in states like Florida. According to a 2023 report by USA Hockey, participation rates have risen by over 20% in the Southeast region since 2015. It’s a promising trend for the sport’s future.
Fans today share their excitement on social media, with hashtags like #NHLWinterClassic trending. Posts filled with game-day photos and fan experiences show just how deeply the sport is resonating beyond traditional markets.
As Gretzky said, the growth of hockey is indeed a thrilling journey, one filled with stories, memories, and, most importantly, passionate fans.
