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Dec. 10
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 The NHL awards an expansion franchise to H. Wayne Huizenga, Chairman of Blockbuster Entertainment Corporation. Huizenga announces he'll operate the team in South Florida.
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Mar.
1
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The NHL and Huizenga announce that South Florida will join the NHL in time for the 1993-94 season. Hall of Famer Bob Clarke is named Vice President and General Manager.
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Apr. 19
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Future Hall Of Famer William A. Torrey is named franchise's President. The Club is officially named the FLORIDA PANTHERS.
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Apr. 21
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Dean Jordan is named Vice President of Business Operations and Alternate Governor.
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June
2
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Future Hall Of Famer Roger Neilson is named the first head coach of the Florida Panthers. |
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June 14
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 NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman presents Panthers owner H. Wayne Huizenga with official certificate of entry into the National Hockey League. The Panthers unveil home and road uniforms, along with primary and secondary logos. The team colors are navy blue, red and yellow-gold.
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June 24
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The Panthers select goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck with the first pick of the 1993 NHL Expansion Draft in Quebec City. In all, Florida selects 24 players.
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June 26
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 At Le Coisee in Quebec City, the Panthers select forward Rob Niedermayer with the team's first-ever Entry Draft pick. Florida chooses 13 amateur players in the draft.
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July
8
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NY Islanders Hall of Fame netminder Bill Smith is named the Panthers' goaltending coach.
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July 28
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The Panthers unveil artwork of the inaugural logo created for the team's first season. Seven players visit South Florida and begin a week-long promotional tour. The players include goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, forwards Rob Niedermayer, Scott Mellanby, Dave Lowry, Brian Skrudland and Andrei Lomakin and defenseman Joe Cirella.
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Aug.
3
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In their first-ever trade, the Panthers acquire forward Jason Cirone from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Dave Tomlinson. Florida had acquired Tomlinson from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for future considerations.
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Sept.
7
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The temperature drops to 22 degrees as Miami Arena makes ice for the Panthers' inaugural season.
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Sept. 11
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Fifty-two players report to Miami Arena for the Panthers' first training camp.
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Sept. 16
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The Panthers open their inaugural eight-game preseason schedule against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Lakeland (FL) Civic Center.
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Oct.
6
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The Panthers travel to Chicago Stadium and skate to a 4-4 tie with the Blackhawks in the team's first-ever regular season game. Right wing Scott Mellanby scores the Panthers' first goal at 12:31 of the opening period.
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