Live updates: the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers parade in Fort Lauderdale
The team and the Cup have left the IcePlex
The Panthers have loaded the buses and left the Baptist Health IcePlex at the War Memorial Auditorium for the parade. Among those on the bus with the Stanley Cup: defenseman Jaycob Megna, who was signed as a free agent in July and spent most of the season with the Panthers' American Hockey League minor league team in Charlotte.
Megna was born in Plantation on Dec. 10, 1992. The next day, during annual league meetings at The Breakers in Palm Beach, the NHL announced the granting of new franchises to be based in Anaheim and South Florida.
The daily precipitation comes early
Before the parade, around 10:55 a.m., a light drizzle came down near the stage area next to the beach. At 85 degrees with a 74% humidity, nature's sprinkling system was appreciated by the folks gathered there.
Wristbands for kids
Kids along the route are getting blue wristbands from Fort Lauderdale police with parents' phone numbers in case the kids get separated in all the hubbub.
With reporting from Herald reporters Jordan McPherson, Connie Ogle, Kaitlyn Pohly and Greg Cote.
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