When the Florida Panthers clinched their first division title in franchise history in 2012, there was celebration in the locker room not seen since 1996.
Anyone who is anyone within the organization was in the room hugging other players, executives, and those involved in creating this rare success in South Florida. It was a jovial scene. As a writer and fan of this team, I was honored to be in attendance.
Yet there was one person who made a mistake that was symbolic of what was still wrong with the organization.
Michael Yormark, CEO of the Florida Panthers since 2003, whose duties did include input and activity on the hockey side of the organization, walked right across the Panthers logo in the locker room. As he realized his mistake on his third stride across the crest, he jumped off of it as if to mentally say, "whoops!"
Honest mistake, right?
No.
Many of you reading this might be asking yourself, "what is the big deal?" Well it is a big deal. In NHL locker rooms no one is to walk on the team logo as a sign of respect. I admit I made that mistake when I first got my credentials, and several players, coaches, and media relations officials were quick to yell at me to get off the logo.
Even though I had no idea, I felt like an ass. But I only needed to be told once.
So here is a "hockey guy" in Yormark, walking right across the logo in front of everyone in the organization, including a larger than normal media contingent. It was as if it was his first time in the locker room. In hindsight, maybe it was. That was the problem.
Few people noticed amidst the celebration, but a few of us that did were shocked. But then again, not really.
You see, by and large Michael Yormark was a cancer and Enemy #1 to most Panther fans. He is perceived as smug, uncompromising, and willing to do anything for a penny. So much so that Miami Herald's Panthers' beat writer, George Richards, has affectionately called their arena "The Billboard" because you can't find a single space of that place that doesn't have an ad on it.
To be fair, that was his job, and Yormark did his very best to sell hockey in a tough market, as well as continue to bring great concerts and events to the arena as well. The BB&T Center has always considered to be one of the premiere arenas in the world, due in large part to his efforts.
But this is about hockey, and to most fans and observers Yormark was a square peg trying to fit in a round hole. I know from personal experience that he did his best to talk with Panther fans directly, as I spoke with him personally on the phone on a few occasions about team or in-game issues.
The Club Red debacle has also been a sore subject for many Panther fans. Long time season ticket holders with great seats in the lower bowl were forced to relocate so Yormark could build an exclusive club that provides the "ultimate game/event experience." As beautiful as this unique club is, during hockey games it is called "Club Dead." Almost every red seat is empty during games.
The Panthers already have a problem with attendance, and then you place a highly expensive "club" in the sections directly behind the team benches, making it look like the arena is empty on TV. While it is certainly not close to empty during any game, this Yormark-lead initiative made the Panthers look even more foolish on the NHL stage.
It would make Panther fan's skin crawl to know Yormark had any say in personnel decisions, but it was reported he did as a part owner of the team. One could only hope that over time he would be fired and squeezed out of the hockey side because perception is reality, and the perception of Yormark's hockey acumen was dreadful.
Since new owner Vinnie Viola's arrival in South Florida last year, he has been assessing team operations and decided to make needed changes. This is the first of what could be many big splashes in the weeks and months to come.
It has been reported that Yormark will no longer have any involvement with the Panthers whatsoever, and he will now lead the business side of Jay Z's Roc Nation Sports Agency.
He is replaced by GM Dale Tallon's long-time friend, Rory Babich. Babich is a New York-based attorney who has been working closely with Tallon since the beginning of the season. Unlike Yormark, Babich will be heavily involved in the hockey and business side, as the Panthers try to make a statement to their fans and the league that they are tired of having the reputation of being "clueless."
There is a lot of pride and a lot of very talented people within this organization top to bottom. Viola knows this, and moving forward he wants to put the best people in position to succeed. This is a big step in moving into this new era of Panthers hockey.
Tallon's job security is said to be "100% secure," and he just completed his first of many deals acquiring talented center Brandon Pirri from the Blackhawks for a 3rd round pick this year and a 5th in 2016. Multiple current Panthers will be playing elsewhere by the end of the week.
The free agent spending spree and team overhaul Tallon enjoyed in the summer of 2011 will look like tiddlywinks compared to what this organization and team will look like come opening night next season. Such changes have been a long time coming and Panthers fans have to be excited that there is an owner in place that is dedicated to making the tough decisions and changes needed to succeed.
Odds are that locker room logo is safe for good.
Dan Spiegel Florida Panthers Media Follow me on Twitter Join the Florida Panthers Insiders FB Page Connect with me on Google Plus