Jonathan Huberdeau opens up on his former team hoisting the Stanley Cup

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Tom Banks
July 28, 2024 (8:36 PM)

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The Florida Panthers won their first Stanley Cup in 2024, and it's safe to say that it wasn't easy to watch for a former teammate.

Two years ago, the Florida Panthers made a blockbuster decision by trading Jonathan Huberdeau for Matthew Tkachuk, and it's safe to say that it was a deal that changed the fortunes of the organization. In 2024, they finally lifted the Stanley Cup, and while there was plenty of elation down in Florida, their former teammate wasn't doing it easy watching them do it.

"It is hard to watch the guys lift the Cup," admitted Huberdeau in a French language interview with La Presse. "You tell yourself 'I was there for 10 years, during the most difficult moments.' But that is how you build a team. When you're young you don't really care, you just want to build your career. Now, I find myself back in the same situation, but a little older."

Perhaps adding to the difficulty is Huberdeau's own struggles in Calgary, as the veteran winger has struggled to catch on and pick up where he finished his career in Florida, but ultimately, he revealed that he's happy for the players he spent almost 10 years alongside.

"I am happy for the guys, they worked hard," said Huberdeau. "[Aleksander] Barkov, I was with him for years, he works so hard. Aaron Ekblad and Sam Bennett also."

It's understandable that Huberdeau was frustrated, especially given the important role he played in the building of this Panthers core, but after all, there just wasn't much he could do to take them to the next level. Now, he has to return his focus to the Flames as they look to fast track their own rebuild, where he looks to help them become a Stanley Cup contender in their own right.

Source: Hockey Feed
Huberdeau opens up after watching former teammates lift the Cup.