The mayor of Sunrise, Fla., a city near the edge of the Everglades, home to the NHL Panthers, says it's not that different from Edmonton. They're two cities punching above their weight on hockey's biggest stage, says Michael Ryan.
And they've both got big malls. "Edmonton is a bit smaller than some of the metropolises but has oversized power in terms of hockey. And that's how we feel in Sunrise," Ryan said in an interview.
"It's a town a lot like Edmonton looking for an opportunity to raise the [Stanley] Cup." The Panthers host Game 1 of the seven-game Stanley Cup final series against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday. Sunrise, home to about 100,000, is a 40-minute drive from one of the concrete ribbons that snake out of downtown Miami.
It began as Sunrise Golf Village incorporated in 1961 by developer Norman Johnson, who built model homes — including a full-scale upside-down house to draw attention. The village had fewer than 5,000 residents, with retirees whiling away their days hitting balls on a plethora of golf courses. By 1967, it officially became a city.
WATCH | Mayors have a bit of fun ahead of the Stanley Cup finals: It's not just Oilers against Panthers — it's mayor versus mayor 19 hours ago Duration 1:25 Dean Trantalis, mayor of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., says he's ready to make a bet with Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohi on the outcome of the Stanley Cup final — and may even travel north to take in one of the games. In 1971 — the same year the Oilers were announced.
