FORT LAUDERDALE – As general manager and president of hockey operations for the Florida Panthers, Bill Zito has made a habit out of catching the hockey world by surprise.
But this time, it was the decorated executive who was left stunned.
In attendance for a meeting of the Broward County Commission on Thursday that he had been led to believe was being held to celebrate the start of a new season for the Panthers, Zito, very much to his own surprise, suddenly realized he was actually the guest of honor.
Per an official proclamation, it was officially “Bill Zito Day” in Broward County.
“We talk about our Panthers culture, and it really does extend to Broward County,” said Zito, who was joined at the meeting by Panthers President of Business Operations Mike White.
Just as Broward County has rapidly grown, so have the Panthers.
In the six years since he was hired in September of 2020, Zito, through a series of savvy signings and blockbuster trades, has transformed the Panthers into one of the NHL’s beacons of success.
After reaching the playoffs just a handful of times prior to Zito’s arrival, the Panthers capped off three straight trips to the Stanley Cup Final with back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025.
During those unforgettable runs, which included everything from iconic goals to rowdy parades and partying along A1A, Broward County quickly fell back in love with hockey.
“I see it more and more,” Zito said. “When I first came, I was outsider learning about Broward for the first time. Through that lens, I’ve seen it grow and evolve as a Panther town. I think we were here, but we were just there. Now, we’re part of the fabric. People are saying, ‘Opening Night is Oct. 10. I’ve got my tickets. We’re coming.’ Seminal events in the Panthers season now become mileposts in the year. You have the holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, but now there’s Panther things.”
Once a newcomer to Broward County, Zito now calls it home.
With that, he also received another fitting honor as part of his proclamation.
During the ceremony, Mayor Mark Bogen presented Zito with a key to Broward County as a symbolic gesture to highlight the county’s strong relationship with the Panthers.
“It’s humbling,” Zito said. “It’s fun and silly and an honor. You have all these emotions. I don’t think many people walk around every thinking they’re going to have a day, and that can be the silly part. But it just provoked a level of appreciation I have for Broward County and being able to live here and be part of such a special place.”
Hoping for another special season, the Panthers will begin their 2026-27 campaign on the road with a battle against the defending champion Carolina Hurricanes on Sept. 29.
On Oct. 10, they’ll return to Broward County to celebrate their Home Opener against the Minnesota Wild at 6 p.m. ET.
For tickets, click HERE.
