Panthers celebrate the career of Patric Hornqvist

SUNRISE — When Bill Zito took over the keys to the Panthers’ ship in the summer of 2020, the first move he made was bringing in Patric Hornqvist from Pittsburgh. 

Fast forward three years, the culture is different in South Florida compared to that of pre Zito’s arrival.. The Panthers brought in high-profile players, won the Presidents’ Trophy and most recently, went to the Stanley Cup Final.

Why has that culture changed, what caused a shift? When you talk to those within the organization today, they aren’t shy about giving Patric Hornqvist his share of the flowers. 

“He kind of makes you want to be a better person,” Bill Zito said when talking about Hornqvist on Friday. “Did I give as much to whatever it is I’m doing, to the Panthers, as that guy did? And you’re probably going to fall short.”

Last season, Hornqvist would end up playing the last game of his career on Dec. 3, 2022 after suffering a concussion in Seattle. While that would be his last game, it wouldn’t be the last time we saw Hornqvist on the ice. 

Hornqvist still joined in on practices with the team, skated with the injured players and was with them every step of the way as they made it to the Stanley Cup Final. Knowing he probably wouldn’t play again, he still put in the extra effort to work hard alongside his teammates. 

“He forces you to be better,” Zito continued. “He forces all of us to be better at what we do.”

Hornqvist, 36, decided to hang up the skates over the summer. Despite stepping away from the ice, he stayed near the game and the team, joining the Panthers hockey operations department as a scouting and development consultant. 

Even in his hockey ops role, Hornqvist still gets on the ice here and there to skate with the injured players, or give a few warm up shots to his buddy Sergeie Bobrovsky.

“He set the bar,” is how fellow Swede and Panthers defenseman Gustav Forsling described Hornqvist’s work ethic.

This past Friday, with the Penguins in town, the Panthers honored Hornqvist before the game. Video tributes played throughout the game, with messages from former teammates such as Shea Weber, Marc-Andre Fleury, Evgeni Malkin, Radko Gudas and more.

Hornqvist’s former captains, Aleksander Barkov and Sidney Crosby, lined up alongside him and his family for the ceremonial puck drop. 

“He just worked so hard and he brought out the best in everybody,” Sidney Crosby said in the video tribute dedicated to Hornqvist. “He would expect a lot of himself. But also, he earned every single thing he accomplished in his career.”

The Swedish forward’s career began as the 230th and final pick of the 2005 NHL Draft. It ended as one that many could only dream to replicate. 15 seasons in the NHL. Two-time Stanley Cup champion — scoring the cup winning goal in 2017. He won a World Championship with Sweden in 2018, while also representing them in the Olympics and World Cup of Hockey.

Both Panthers coach Paul Maurice and Penguins coach Mike Sullivan had similar comments regarding Hornqvist this week — he was someone you wanted to be around.

“He had an energy about him that was contagious,” Sullivan said.  

“He brought an energy and a communication level,” Maurice smiled. “He never shut up.” 

A joyful Hornqvist approached the podium at Amerant Bank Arena during the first intermission on Friday to address both Panthers and Penguins media, many of whom covered the career of his that was being honored that night.

“It means alot for me and my family, and it says alot about the Panthers organization to really celebrate my timeline,” Hornqvist said. “I’ve only been there three years.” 

The love from not only the two organizations, but from his former teammates was on full display for Hornqvist’s special night. 

“It was the perfect night to have your retirement,” Hornqvist mentioned. “I got to see Sid and Marcus (Pettersson) last night, and Haggy’s here (Carl Hagelin)… obviously a lot of emotion, and it’s fun to look back. Now it’s over for real and I can take the next step.”

Three years ago, before any memories could be made in South Florida, Bill Zito first needed to convince Hornqvist to waive his no-trade clause to facilitate a move to the Panthers.

“Right then, I was not so happy,” Hornqvist smiled looking back. “Obviously I’m super thankful for Bill to trade me here, and to have been through these last three years.”