Legendary hockey reporter Stan Fischler writes a weekly scrapbook for NHL.com. Fischler, known as "The Hockey Maven," shares his humor and insight with readers every Wednesday. With skyrocketing hockey interest in Florida generated by the Florida Panthers consecutive Stanley Cup triumphs, the calendar turns back to the Panthers' maiden NHL season and even earlier to the Sunshine State's first pro hockey league in 1938.

Just two months ago, a second straight Stanley Cup parade took place along the South Florida beachfront, overflowing with joyous fans of the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers stretching endlessly on the beach.

While watching thousands cheer the likes of Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand , I wondered if anyone could imagine that pro hockey in Florida actual

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