Stu Cowan: Former Canadien Brian Skrudland performed key function with Panthers

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Brian Skrudland was shocked when the Florida Panthers claimed him from the Calgary Flames within the 1993 growth draft.

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The Flames had acquired Skrudland from Montreal on Jan. 28, 1993, in trade for Gary Leeman and the Canadiens went on to win the Stanley Cup that 12 months.

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The Flames had initially instructed Skrudland they might shield him within the growth draft for 2 new groups — the Panthers and the Mighty Geese of Anaheim — who have been coming into the NHL for the 1993-94 season. However a few days earlier than the draft, the Flames instructed Skrudland that they had discovered the Panthers and Geese weren’t keen on him so they might shield one other participant as a substitute.

The Panthers ended up taking Skrudland, who had just lately bought a brand new residence in Calgary and his spouse had given delivery to their second youngster two weeks earlier than the draft.

“Hindsight being 20/20, issues couldn’t have occurred higher for me,” Skrudland stated in a cellphone interview Tuesday from Calgary, the place he now lives.

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Skrudland, who received the Stanley Cup as a rookie with the Canadiens in 1986, was voted captain of the Panthers by his new teammates. In solely their third season, the Panthers superior to the 1996 Stanley Cup ultimate earlier than getting swept by the Colorado Avalanche.

For the primary time in 27 years, the Panthers are again within the Stanley Cup ultimate with Recreation 1 towards the Golden Knights slated for Saturday in Las Vegas (8 p.m., CBC, SN, TVA Sports activities).

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“That was one other feather within the cap,” Skrudland stated about being named captain of the Panthers. “I at all times thought-about myself a pacesetter, irrespective of if I had a letter on my sweater or not. I assume that solidified the truth that I used to be going to be a real chief on that membership. I took on numerous duty — particularly the primary two years — with reference to making an attempt to promote the sport.

“We have been taking part in within the outdated Miami Area that sat about 14,700,” Skrudland added. “About two-thirds of the best way by that season you couldn’t get a seat. That was a thrill for all of us. After which, a few years later to have the ability to make it to the ultimate and actually really feel the thrill was unimaginable. It appeared like in a single day we have been turning into the Montreal Canadiens in the truth that you’ve bought individuals ready exterior your observe enviornment to look at observe. The curiosity simply grew tenfold. It was an exquisite time.”

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In hindsight, Skrudland says the one factor worse than being claimed within the growth draft would have been not being claimed as a veteran.

“That will imply you’re getting nearer to the top,” he stated. “I occurred to area of interest out one other seven years.

“I feel the blokes I performed with all thought I in all probability ought to have retired in 1991,” he added with fun. “However I assume if you’re OK within the room you may stick round for a couple of extra years.”

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Skrudland spent 4 seasons with the Panthers, one with the New York Rangers and three with the Dallas Stars earlier than retiring in 2000. He received a second Stanley Cup with the Stars in 1999, together with former Canadiens teammates Man Carbonneau, Mike Keane and Craig Ludwig.

Skrudland returned to Florida in 2010 because the Panthers’ director of participant personnel. The Panthers didn’t renew his contract after the 2014-15 season, however Skrudland nonetheless has a mushy spot for the crew.

“After they fireplace you or don’t renew your contract, you may go: ‘Properly, dangle on a second. You simply misplaced a fan,’ ” he stated. “However I don’t act that manner, truthfully. I’m nonetheless fairly happy with what we did there. There’s nonetheless a handful of men who have been there after I was working with the crew, so I hold a detailed eye on them.”

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Skrudland hasn’t missed a shift of this Panthers playoff run on TV.

Goalie John Vanbiesbrouck was the most important purpose the Panthers made it to the 1996 Stanley Cup ultimate, posting a 12-10 file with a 2.25 goals-against common and a .932 save share. Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is an enormous purpose why the Panthers are on this 12 months’s Cup ultimate with an 11-2 file, a 2.21 GAA and a .935 save share.

Skrudland famous that this 12 months’s Panthers crew is rather more proficient.

“It needs to be ultimate,” he stated. “I’m excited for the Panthers and I’m excited for the sport of hockey. We’re going to have a brand new Stanley Cup winner this 12 months, both manner, and I feel each golf equipment are very deserving.”

However he will likely be rooting for the Panthers.

“We had such nice followers again then (in 1996),” he stated. “I would love nothing extra for these followers in Florida to have the ability to expertise a win. I do know that they thought dropping was OK again then as a result of we have been solely three years into the league. It will be nice for the group, it will be nice for the followers, and I don’t assume anyone goes to balk at going to Florida to play hockey — particularly as soon as they win a Stanley Cup.”

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