Bill Zito: “No Words Can Describe Winning the Stanley Cup”

And what a night it was as we here at Full Press Hockey bring you back to when the Floria Panthers lifted the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history. Florida defeated the Edmonton Oilers by a score of 2-1, and as the old commercial, there are no words to describe the feeling as Bill Zito told Full Press Hockey that June night.

“It’s hard to put into words. I don’t know, I don’t know if I could do it justice,” Zito said with tears rolling down his face. “You can have the sound of Oh Dreams Come True or whatever, but to describe it there are no words.” 

Throughout the entire interview on the ice after the game, Zito had to pause and took moments to catch himself. Tears of joy came down his face as he reflected and thought about where he came from.

“There are guys I grew up playing hockey with who are all at a bar in Milwaukee having a party tonight, and you think that it’s possible?” Zito continued. “It sounds so silly to say these things and no, we’re not making a Disney movie and the people that have won it say to you enjoy it all.

“To have my dad here, there are so many special moments, and you see special people,” Zito said. “My first partner, when I was an agent, guys and people have done so much for you. There is so much elation. But really like to think if you talk to the guys and they say they’re more happy for the buddy, or for coach or Rick Dudley or there’s true true sincere happiness for others. They’re just kind of happy.”

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You could see the smile on his face on the ice as the Stanley Cup was passed from player to player. The families on the ice celebrate after years of hard work. This moment was also 26 years in the making for a franchise with many lean years. While they had their run to the 1996 Stanley Cup Final, playoff runs were far and few between until Matthew Tkachuk showed up.

The Panthers miraculously made it to the Stanley Cup Final in 2023, losing to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games. The players buy-in to playing a certain style for 82 regular-season games and then 24 games in the Stanley Cup Playoffs speaks to the coaching staff and management the Florida Panthers have built.

Being able to lift the Stanley Cup was a surreal moment, and again, no words can describe that feeling as he thought about others who had waited a long time to win it.

“Yeah. I’m not sure. It’s kind of in the moment; it’s a blessing, and you almost feel like you’re not; it’s not really worthy,” Zito said. “Given all the people around you and all that they’ve done to the game. The Paul Maurice’s and the Rick Dudley‘s and the Patric Hornqvist and our staff. To see Roberto lifting it is really powerful.” 

What a remarkable journey for Bill Zito, who has gone from player agent to General Manager of the Stanley Cup-winning Florida Panthers.

He could not enjoy the moment too long as it was right back to work the next day for Zito as he tried to keep the roster together for another run at the Stanley Cup this season. While there were some losses, especially on defense, the work Bill Zito has put in has made the Florida Panthers a contender once again for the Stanley Cup.