FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – One lucky Florida Panthers fan is still on cloud nine after a player wore his crown during the championship parade.
Seven-year-old Pablo was rocking a rat king crown, inspired by Panthers forward Brad Marchand’s nickname.
He was hoping to get the star player’s attention at the parade, and to his surprise, he did!
Local 10’s Eden Checkol Pablo live on the parade route, just hours before the celebration started. Little did he know what would happen next.
In a moment caught on camera, Pablo and his dad threw the crown up to Marchand, who caught it while on his bus.
Marchand then took his hat off and wore the crown during the parade.
“What was that moment like?” asked Checkol.
“Great!” replied Pablo.
“It’ was exciting because that was kind of the plan,” said Pablo’s mom, Veronica. “We weren’t sure, because there are so many people, if he was even going to see us, so it was fun. He has been on cloud nine ever since.”
“I thought it was amazing!” said Pablo.
This was Pablo’s first time attending a Panthers championship parade, but he and his mom are anticipating another one next year so they can make Marchand a second rat king crown.