The number eight has been worn by a total of eleven Florida Panthers in franchise history, Its original holder was defenseman Dallas Eakins, who is now the head coach in Anaheim, and it was most recently sported by forward Jayce Hawryluk before he was poached off waivers by Ottawa in February. Let’s take a look at Florida’s group of eights.
Dallas Eakins
Dade City, FL native Dallas Eakins was the first Florida-born player to lace ‘em up for the franchise, as well as the first Cat to sport the number eight, and he liked it so much he came back and wore it a second time.