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Sam Bennett Channels Inner Conor McGregor with Panthers Parade Message

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 8:47 AM ET

The Florida Panthers had just finished celebrating their second straight Stanley Cup win when Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett decided to send a message to anyone still questioning the way they play.

During Sunday’s championship parade in Fort Lauderdale, the 29-year-old center stepped to the mic and made it clear the team isn’t interested in apologies.

"You know, a lot of people have... they don’t like the way we play," Bennett said. "They don’t like it. They call us dirty, they call us nasty, they call us bullies. So... no, I would like to take this time to apologize...

"...to absolutely (expletive) no one. We’re the double champs. We do what the (expletive) we want. Let’s go!"

Sam Bennett has a message for anyone who thinks the Panthers play dirty ️ pic.twitter.com/aegjjoXklw
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) June 22, 2025

Bennett's speech brought back memories and mimicked Conor McGregor's post-fight speech after becoming a two-division UFC champion in 2016.

It also followed a similar line taken by Panthers teammate Matthew Tkachuk earlier in the day.

“I would like to apologize to absolutely (expletive) nobody because a double champ does whatever the (expletive) he wants,” Tkachuk said.

All things considered, Bennett backed up his words with a dominant postseason. He led the NHL with 15 playoff goals, including an NHL-record 13 on the road, and recorded 22 points in 23 games.

The Panthers outscored Edmonton 28–17 over six games and beat the Oilers for the second time in as many years in the finals. Bennett scored five times in the series and added 107 hits, ranking second in the league during the playoffs.

Ultimately, Bennett also became the first Panther to win the Conn Smythe Trophy over teammate Brad Marchand.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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