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Nick Cousins

Brian Nicholas Cousins[1][2] (born July 20, 1993) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the third round, 68th overall, by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2011 NHL entry draft. Cousins has also previously played for the Florida Panthers, Arizona Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Vegas Golden Knights, and Nashville Predators. Cousins won the Stanley Cup with the Panthers in 2024.

Nick Cousins
Cousins with the Stanley Cup in 2024
Born (1993-07-20) July 20, 1993 (age 31)
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Ottawa Senators
Philadelphia Flyers
Arizona Coyotes
Montreal Canadiens
Vegas Golden Knights
Nashville Predators
Florida Panthers
NHL draft 68th overall, 2011
Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career 2012–present

Playing career

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Junior

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Cousins played four seasons (2009–2013) of major junior hockey with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). While with the Greyhounds, he improved each season, with 27 goals, 76 assists and 103 points in 64 games in his final season. He was leading the league in scoring when he was suspended for four games after making an illegal check from behind in a game against the London Knights in February 2013.[3][4] He finished his OHL career scoring 102 goals and 189 assists for 291 points, while earning 261 penalty minutes in 264 games played.

Professional

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Philadelphia Flyers

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Cousins was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the third round, 68th overall, of the 2011 NHL entry draft.[5] On March 26, 2012, Cousins was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by the Philadelphia Flyers.[6] After the Greyhounds suffered an early playoff exit in 2013, Cousins joined the Flyers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, for seven games, registering just one assist on an amateur tryout contract.[3][6] Cousins was assigned to Adirondack in September 2013 and spent the entire 2013–14 season with the Phantoms, scoring 11 goals and 29 points in 74 games.[7][8]

In 2014, Cousins was assigned to Philadelphia's new AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and scored in the team's first ever game.[9] He was called up during the 2014–15 season to the Flyers. On March 17, 2015 Cousins made his NHL debut in a 4–1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.[10] He appeared in 11 games for the Flyers, going scoreless and in 64 games with Lehigh Valley, registering 22 goals and 56 points.[8] Cousins split the 2015–16 season between the Phantoms and Flyers. In January 2016 Cousins and goaltender Anthony Stolarz were named to the 2016 AHL All-Star Classic as Lehigh Valley's representatives. [11] He was recalled by Philadelphia in February to replace an injured Sean Couturier, slotting in his spot between Brayden Schenn and Sam Gagner. He registered his first NHL point assisting on Michael Del Zotto's first period goal in a 3–2 loss to the Washington Capitals on February 7.[12][13] On February 11, Cousins scored his first NHL goal on goaltender Robin Lehner in a 5–1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. He also assisted on Michael Raffl's goal, earning two points on the night.[14] He appeared in 38 games with Lehigh Valley, scoring 12 goals and 38 points. With the Flyers he registered 6 goals and 11 points in 36 games.[8] He made his playoffs debut in the first round matchup of the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs versus the Washington Capitals. He played in all six games, but went scoreless as the Flyers were eliminated. In the offseason, as a restricted free agent, he accepted his qualifying offer, tying him to the Flyers for another season.[15] In the 2016–17 season, Cousins played the full season with the Flyers, scoring six goals and 16 points in 60 games.[16]

Arizona Coyotes

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On June 16, 2017, Cousins' five-year tenure with the Flyers organization ended as he was traded alongside goaltender Merrick Madsen to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for forward Brendan Warren and a fifth-round choice in the 2018 NHL entry draft.[16][17] A restricted free agent, he was not under contract with the Coyotes at the time of the 2017 NHL expansion draft, and was not eligible to be exposed/selected.[16] He signed a two-year contract with Arizona on July 1.[18] He made his Coyotes debut on October 7 versus the expansion Vegas Golden Knights.[19] He registered his first point with the Coyotes on October 21, assisting on Christian Fischer's first period goal in a 4–2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.[20] He scored his first goal for Arizona in the next game on October 24, against Jaroslav Halák in a 5–3 loss to the New York Islanders.[21] He was fined $2,000 for embellishment by the NHL on March 9, 2018 after being warned twice during the season.[22] In his first season with the Coyotes in 2017–18, Cousins played in 71 games, scoring 12 goals and 19 points.[8] In establishing a bottom-six role, providing an agitating two-way presence within the Coyotes organization, Cousins recorded a career-high 27 points (7 goals, 20 assists), in 81 games in the 2018–19 season. On June 25, 2019, as an impending restricted free agent, Cousins was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Coyotes, releasing him as an unrestricted free agent.[23]

Montreal Canadiens

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On July 5, 2019, Cousins signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens.[24] He made his Canadiens debut on October 17 and earned his first point with the team in the game, assisting on Victor Mete's first period goal in a 4–0 shutout win over the Minnesota Wild.[25] He registered his first goal as a Canadien against Aaron Dell in a 4–2 loss to the San Jose Sharks on October 24.[26] On January 8, 2020, Cousins was fined $2,688.17 by the NHL for a boarding penalty he committed against Mike Green of the Detroit Red Wings on January 7.[27] He skated in 58 games for the club, recording nine goals and 13 assists.[8]

Vegas Golden Knights

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On February 24, 2020, Montreal traded Cousins to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a fourth-round selection in the 2021 NHL entry draft.[28] In his debut game with Vegas on February 26, he scored against Mikko Koskinen to become the sixth Golden Knight that season to score in their first game with the team.[29] Only two weeks after the trade was finalized, the NHL season was suspended indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pause, Cousins returned to Canada and bonded with his teammates through daily FaceTime calls and other forms of long-distance communication.[30] When play resumed for the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, Cousins played in 17 playoff games, registering five assists, as the Golden Knights made it to the Western Conference finals, only to be eliminated by the Dallas Stars.[8][31]

Nashville Predators

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Leaving the Golden Knights as a free agent, on October 9, 2020, Cousins was signed to a two-year, $3 million contract with the Nashville Predators.[32] He made his Predators debut in the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season on January 14, 2021 in a 3–1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.[33] He registered his first point with the Predators in the next game on January 16, assisting on Luke Kunin's third period goal in a 5–2 victory over the Blue Jackets.[34] He scored his first goal as a Predator against Kevin Lankinen in a 2–1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on January 27.[35] He finished the season with 5 goals and 18 points in 52 games.[8] Nashville faced the Carolina Hurricanes in the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. He was scratched from the lineup for the first two games of the series,[36] but made his first appearance in the May 21 Predators' double overtime 5–4 victory.[37] He scored his first career NHL playoff goal on Alex Nedeljkovic in the following game on May 23, a double overtime 4–3 win against Carolina, tying the series at two wins apeice.[36] However, Carolina won the next two games, eliminating the Predators.[38]

In his second season with Nashville in 2021–22, Cousins appeared in 68 games, scoring nine goals and 22 points.[8] He missed time in November 2021 with an undisclosed injury that put him on injured reserve, [39] and missed time again in February 2022 with a lower body injury.[40] The Predators made the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs and faced the Colorado Avalanche in the first round.[41] Cousins appeared in three games, going scoreless.[8] He played in the first two games of the series, was scratched for the third, before re-entering the lineup for the fourth game as the Predators were swept by the Avalanche in four games.[42][43]

Florida Panthers

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Having concluded his contract with the Predators, Cousins joined his sixth NHL club, in signing as a free agent to a two-year, $2.2 million contract with the Florida Panthers on July 13, 2022.[44] He made his Panthers debut on October 13, 2022 in the season-opening 3–1 over the New York Islanders.[45] He registered his first point with the Panthers on November 6, assisting on Eetu Luostarinen's third period goal in a 5–4 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.[46] He scored his first goal with Florida, a game winner, two games later on November 9 against Antti Raanta in a 3–0 shutout win over the Carolina Hurricanes.[47] He finished the season with 9 goals and 27 points in 81 games.[8] The Panthers made the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs and Cousins appeared in every game for the Panthers during their run, scoring 2 goals and 7 points in 21 games.[8] On May 12 he scored the series-winning goal in overtime of game five against the Toronto Maple Leafs, sending the Panthers to their first Conference Final since 1996.[48] The Panthers eliminated the Hurricanes in four games, to set up a final with the Vegas Golden Knights.[49] In the final, the Panthers were defeated by the Golden Knights.[50]

In his second season with the Panthers in 2023–24, Cousins was involved in a series of questionable hits that led to retaliation by players on the opposing teams. On December 10, 2023, in a game against Columbus, Cousins hit defenceman Erik Gudbranson while the defenceman was in a vulnerable position along the boards. Cousins received a minor boarding penalty for the play, but Gudbranson was incensed. Gudbranson later returned to the ice and went after Cousins in retaliation, punching him. For the retaliation, Gudbranson was suspended one game by the NHL.[51] The following month on January 3, Cousins was involved in another questionable hit involving a player in a vulnerable position along the boards. Arizona Coyotes defenceman Juuso Välimäki was on one knee along the boards when Cousins hit him. No penalty was called, but the Coyotes' Jason Zucker skated over and hit Cousins from behind, driving his head into the boards. Zucker then fought Gustav Forsling of the Panthers after the hit, and was given a fighting major penalty of five minutes and a game misconduct penalty. For the retaliation Zucker was suspended for three games by the NHL.[52] Cousins received a concussion from Zucker's hit and missed 12 games.[53] Cousins appeared in 69 games with the Panthers that season, scoring 7 goals and 15 points.[8] The Panthers made the playoffs, and advanced again to the 2024 finals, facing the Edmonton Oilers.[54] Cousins was in and out of the lineup this time, appearing in 12 games, registering one assist.[8] The Panthers defeated the Oilers in game seven and won the Stanley Cup for the first time in franchise history.[55]

Ottawa Senators

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After winning the Stanley Cup with the Panthers, Cousins agreed to a one-year, $800,000 contract with the Ottawa Senators on August 29, 2024.[56]

Personal life

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While with the Greyhounds, Cousins was one of three players charged with sexual assault in August 2012.[1][2] However, the charges were withdrawn in April 2013 by the Crown Attorney's Office, which, after reviewing the evidence provided, found "no reasonable prospect of conviction."[57]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2009–10 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 67 11 21 32 34 5 0 1 1 2
2010–11 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 68 29 39 68 56 — — — — —
2011–12 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 65 35 53 88 88 — — — — —
2011–12 Adirondack Phantoms AHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2012–13 Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds OHL 64 27 76 103 83 6 3 3 6 12
2012–13 Adirondack Phantoms AHL 7 0 1 1 2 — — — — —
2013–14 Adirondack Phantoms AHL 74 11 18 29 47 — — — — —
2014–15 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 64 22 34 56 73 — — — — —
2014–15 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 11 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2015–16 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 38 12 26 38 45 — — — — —
2015–16 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 36 6 5 11 4 6 0 0 0 2
2016–17 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 60 6 10 16 31 — — — — —
2017–18 Arizona Coyotes NHL 71 12 7 19 31 — — — — —
2018–19 Arizona Coyotes NHL 81 7 20 27 35 — — — — —
2019–20 Montreal Canadiens NHL 58 9 13 22 33 — — — — —
2019–20 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 7 1 2 3 2 17 0 5 5 22
2020–21 Nashville Predators NHL 52 5 13 18 41 4 2 0 2 2
2021–22 Nashville Predators NHL 68 9 13 22 31 3 0 0 0 0
2022–23 Florida Panthers NHL 79 9 18 27 38 21 2 5 7 16
2023–24 Florida Panthers NHL 69 7 8 15 64 12 0 1 1 20
NHL totals 592 71 109 180 312 63 4 11 15 62

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2011 Canada U18 4th 7 4 4 8 10
Junior totals 7 4 4 8 10

Awards and honours

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Award Year Ref
NHL
Stanley Cup champion 2024 [58]

References

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  1. ^ a b Charron, Cam (August 26, 2012). "Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds players charged in sexual assault; team defers on whether they'll attend training camp". Buzzing the Net. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved August 26, 2012 – via Yahoo! Sports.
  2. ^ a b "Police charge three Greyhounds' players with sexual assault". TSN. August 26, 2012. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Miller, Randy (May 27, 2013). "Close call with law changes prospect's outlook". USA Today. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  4. ^ Coccimiglio, Brad (February 27, 2013). "Cousins suspended by Ontario Hockey League". SooToday. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  5. ^ "Ottawa Senators sign forward Nick Cousins to one-year deal". Sportsnet. August 29, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Nick Cousins agrees to entry-level contract with Flyers". broadstreethockey.com. March 26, 2012. Archived from the original on January 10, 2018. Retrieved March 26, 2012.
  7. ^ "OHL Players at 2013 NHL Training Camps". Ontario Hockey League. September 18, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2024 – via CHL.ca.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Nick Cousins". hockeydb.com. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  9. ^ "Historic First Win For Lehigh Valley". Lehigh Valley Phantoms. October 11, 2014. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  10. ^ "Philadelphia Flyers at Vancouver Canucks". Philadelphia Flyers. March 17, 2015. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  11. ^ Gross, Stephen (March 29, 2019) [January 7, 2016]. "Anthony Stolarz, Nick Cousins headed to AHL All-Star Game for Lehigh Valley Phantoms". The Morning Call. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  12. ^ Isaac, Dave (February 8, 2016). "With Sean Couturier out, Nick Cousins gets longer look". The Courier Post. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  13. ^ "Alex Ovechkin reaches 30 goals again as Capitals beat Flyers". ESPN. Associated Press. February 7, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  14. ^ "Umberger snaps 50-game scoreless drought, Flyers beat Sabres". Sportsnet. Associated Press. February 11, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  15. ^ "Flyers Restricted Free-agent Forward Nick Cousins Accepts Qualifying Offer". NBC 10 Philadelphia. July 14, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  16. ^ a b c McLellan, Sarah (June 16, 2017). "Arizona Coyotes acquire Nick Cousins from Philadelphia Flyers". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  17. ^ "Coyotes acquire Cousins and Madsen from Flyers". Arizona Coyotes. June 16, 2017. Archived from the original on September 9, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
  18. ^ "Coyotes sign Cousins to two-year deal". TSN. July 1, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  19. ^ Morgan, Craig (October 8, 2017). "Neal gives Golden Knights another win with OT goal against Coyotes". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  20. ^ "Blackhawks keep Coyotes winless with 4-2 victory". ESPN. Associated Press. October 22, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  21. ^ "Tavares' tiebreaker finishes hat trick, Isles top Coyotes". ESPN. Associated Press. October 24, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  22. ^ "Marchand, Cousins each fined $2,000 for embellishment". Elliott Lake Today. The Canadian Press. March 9, 2018. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  23. ^ Ellis, Steven (June 26, 2019). "After Ben Hutton, who are the top players not to receive QO's". The Hockey News. Archived from the original on July 5, 2019. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  24. ^ "Habs sign F Cousins to one-year, $1M contract". TSN. July 5, 2019. Archived from the original on July 5, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  25. ^ "Carey Price makes 18 saves, Canadiens beat Wild 4-0". ESPN. Associated Press. October 17, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  26. ^ "Sharks end 2-game skid with 4-2 win over Canadiens". ESPN. Associated Press. October 24, 2019. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  27. ^ "Canadiens' Nick Cousins fined for boarding Red Wings' Mike Green". Sportsnet. January 8, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  28. ^ "Nick Cousins traded to Vegas". Montreal Canadiens. February 24, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2021 – via NHL.com.
  29. ^ Gotz, Ben (February 27, 2020). "Nick Cousins continues tradition for Golden Knights first timers". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  30. ^ Emerson, Jusin (July 30, 2020). "How Golden Knights' midseason acquisitions bonded with rest of roster during shutdown". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
  31. ^ Emerson, Justin (September 14, 2020). "Overtime loss to Stars ends Golden Knights' season". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  32. ^ "Predators sign forward Nick Cousins to two-year, $3M deal". Sportsnet. October 10, 2020. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  33. ^ Stanley, Robby (January 15, 2021). "Predators, Saros defeat Blue Jackets in season opener". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  34. ^ Stanley, Robby (January 16, 2021). "Predators complete season-opening sweep of Blue Jackets". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  35. ^ Stanley, Robby (January 27, 2021). "Predators defeat Blackhawks in shootout, sweep two-game set". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  36. ^ a b "Preds beat Canes 4-3 in double OT again to tie series at 2-2". ESPN. Associated Press. May 23, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  37. ^ Dusterberg, Kurt (May 22, 2021). "Predators top Hurricanes in 2OT in Game 3, get first win of series". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  38. ^ "Carolina rallies, eliminates Preds with 4-3 Game 6 OT win". ESPN. Associated Press. May 28, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  39. ^ "Predators' Nick Cousins: Headed to injured reserve". CBS Sports. November 9, 2021. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  40. ^ "Predators' Nick Cousins: Out with lower-body injury". CBS Sports. February 14, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  41. ^ Grant, Paul D. (May 1, 2022). "2022 Stanley Cup Playoff Preview: Avalanche vs. Predators". Sportsnet. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  42. ^ "Avalanche rally past Predators in Game 4 to complete sweep". Sportsnet. Associated Press. May 10, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  43. ^ Bratten, Brooks (May 7, 2022). "Preds Fall to Avalanche in Game 3 as Series Shifts to Nashville". Nashville Predators. Retrieved October 17, 2024 – via NHL.com.
  44. ^ "Florida Panthers agree to terms with Nick Cousins". Florida Panthers. July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 13, 2022 – via NHL.com.
  45. ^ "Hornqvist, Bobrovsky lead Panthers to 3-1 win over Islanders". ESPN. Associated Press. October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  46. ^ "Vilardi, Kings strike late to knock off Panthers 5-4". ESPN. Associated Press. November 6, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  47. ^ "Knight's 3rd career shutout lifts Panthers past Hurricanes". ESPN. Associated Press. November 10, 2022. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  48. ^ "Cousins scores in OT to send Panthers into Eastern Conference final after 3-2 win over Maple Leafs". ESPN. Associated Press. May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  49. ^ Reynolds, Tim (May 25, 2023). "Tkachuk sends Panthers to Stanley Cup Final, after topping Hurricanes 4-3 for sweep". Associated Press. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  50. ^ Sumner, Rory (June 13, 2023). "Golden Knights tame Panthers to capture 1st Stanley Cup in just 6th year of existence". CBS Sports. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  51. ^ Dwork, David (December 12, 2023). "'It's a terrible hit': Erik Gudbranson discusses Nick Cousins boarding incident, 1-game suspension". The Hockey News. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  52. ^ Wyshynski, Greg (January 3, 2024). "Coyotes' Jason Zucker suspended 3 games for boarding Panthers' Nick Cousins". ESPN. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  53. ^ Mcpherson, Jordan (February 6, 2024). "As he returns to lineup, Panthers' Nick Cousins disagrees with negative narrative around him". Miami Herald. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  54. ^ "Cousins returns for the Panthers in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final". TSN. The Canadian Press. June 21, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  55. ^ Wyshynski, Greg (June 24, 2024). "Panthers edge Oilers in Game 7, win first Stanley Cup title". ESPN. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
  56. ^ "Ottawa Senators sign forward Nick Cousins to one-year deal". Sportsnet. August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
  57. ^ Richardson, Linda (April 4, 2013). "Charges withdrawn against Cousins, Fritsch, Petaccio - Second Update". The Sault Star. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  58. ^ Kulesa, Anna (July 13, 2024). "Panthers' names engraved on Stanley Cup". National Hockey League. Retrieved October 17, 2024.
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