The Stoneman Douglas team won the Florida state title just 11 days after a tragic mass shooting at their school in Parkland, Florida, which killed 17 people. Since the horrible event, there's been an outpouring of kindness toward the students.
The Florida Panthers, who play in nearby Sunrise, Florida, invited the hockey team to practice at their home arena. The players were told a special surprise was coming -- and at the end of practice, out came the Cup.
Smiles came across the faces of the players, who will head to the national tournament in Minnesota from March 22-26. The special opportunity came just a day after former Stoneman Douglas student and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere
hosted the team at a game against the Panthers
.
So before they take the ice for their chance at a trophy, they got to hang out with the greatest trophy in all of sports.
"I wasn't expecting anything near that," team captain Matt Hauptman said. "More expecting like seeing Stanley out there; Stanley Panther (Panthers mascot), not the Cup."
