Swedish Fish: Forsling throws out 1st pitch at Marlins game

MIAMI – The last time Gustav Forsling was at loanDepot Park, there was ice in center field.

A little over seven months since the 2026 Winter Classic, the Florida Panthers defenseman made a return trip to the diamond as a very special guest of the Miami Marlins on Tuesday.

“Some really good memories from here,” Forsling said. “It’s good to be back.”

Invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Marlins hosted the New York Mets, Forsling was excited to continue what has become somewhat of a tradition for the Panthers.

In the past, teammates Matthew Tkachuk, Anton Lundell and Sam Reinhart did the same.

Asked if they provided him with any tips, Forsling shook his head.

“No, they were just making me nervous,” he smiled. “I’ve never really thrown a baseball before.”

Based on his pitch, you’d never have known.

Taking the mound in a custom Marlins jersey with his young son, Bo, at his side, Forsling tossed the ball right down the middle and into the glove of Miami relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks.

After that, Bo made his way toward home plate and threw a pitch of his own.

“That’s what it’s all about,” Forsling said. “I see Bo running around here, and it’s all I want.”

Prior to the pitch, father and son were also invited to tour Miami’s clubhouse.

“Very similar,” Forsling said of seeing another pro team at work. “Everyone was just relaxed, focused. It was cool to see and get a little feel in there. A lot of similarities. … Everyone’s been so nice here.”

Making the rounds in their backyard before their own season gets underway later this month, the Panthers continue to show their support for teams throughout South Florida.

Last week, Lundell and Niko Mikkola cheered on Inter Miami CF at Nu Stadium.

On Thursday, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk will be siren ringers for the Miami Hurricanes.

“It’s awesome,” Forsling said. “We support each other.”

Soon, the Panthers will be the ones playing host.

After taking advantage of a long summer of resting and recharging following Stanley Cup wins in 2024 and 2025, the former champions are eager to reclaim their crown.

With informal skates already under way, players want to hit the ground running.

"It's a lot of fun,” Forsling said of the team's current skates. “They're very intense. We have a lot of fun, but at the same time we work very hard. We push each other. That's what it's all about. Camp is coming up very quick here. Most guys are back now."