The Florida Panthers announced Monday the launch of a girls travel hockey program set to debut later this year at their practice facilities. General manager Bill Zito emphasized the timing aligns with USA Hockey's recent Olympic successes, calling it a long-awaited initiative. The team hired Rob Granato, brother of women's hockey icon Cammi Granato, to lead youth programs, leveraging his decade-long ties to Zito and hockey development.

Granato highlighted the program's focus on retaining local talent, noting girls previously had to leave the area for competitive play. The Panthers' move addresses a gap in Florida's hockey ecosystem, where female participation has surged alongside overall growth.