The 2023-2024 National Hockey League (NHL) season began on Oct. 10, bringing fans excitement and anticipation to watch the successful teams and skilled draft picks play.
To recap the 2022-2023 season, the Boston Bruins set the record for regular season wins with 65, Connor McDavid, center from the Edmonton Oilers, scored 60 goals and the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Fla. Panthers, becoming first-time Stanley Cup champions.
The NHL Draft took place from June 28-29 in Nashville, Tenn. The first pick from this year belonged to the Chicago Blackhawks, who chose Connor Bedard, center, from the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats.
“[Bedard] was an amazing first pick, and I look forward to watching him because he’s a new rookie,” Connor Ecker, junior hockey player, said.
Opening night held a tripleheader, with Bedard’s debut winning 4-2 against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Vegas Golden Knights also won their respective opening matches.
Although there is a lot of hype surrounding Bedard, some feel he is not as good as projected.
“Bedard is good, but I think he is a little overrated. In general he is really good, but I think he’ll be a little bit of a bust,” Alexandra Fazino, sophomore, said.
There was a 40% viewership increase on regular opening night from years prior. Hockey is being discovered across the globe along with rumors of the expansion of the NHL.
“I love the fanbase, the atmosphere and how physical and intense [hockey] is,” Fazino said.
Sally Jones, senior and former hockey player, believes that hockey builds community for fans and players alike.
“My team was really close, we spent a lot of time together on the ice and we traveled a lot. We were basically a family,” Jones said. “The NHL is the same thing; the teams and the fans are all a community.”
Many Jupiter High School students are in hopes of the Florida Panthers winning the Stanley Cup for the first time this season.
“I’m looking forward to watching the Panthers, because I think we can make it this year,” Jones said.
