Panthers’ Sam Bennett Takes Stanley Cup to Humane Society

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — 2025 Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett’s on-ice performance last season was instrumental in the Florida Panthers repeating as Stanley Cup champions. Yet, his off-ice contributions were equally impressive.

Prior to the 2024-25 NHL season, the Panthers forward started “Benny’s Buddies”, a charitable program with the Humane Society of Broward County. Every time Bennett scored a goal during the season, he would pay the adoption fee for a dog or cat at the shelter.

By the time Bennett hoisted the Stanley Cup for a second time in his career, 41 adoption fees were sponsored thanks to the 41 goals he scored throughout the season (25 regular season, 15 playoffs, 1 4 Nations Face-Off).

On Wednesday, Sam and his wife Zoe brought the Stanley Cup to the Humane Society in Fort Lauderdale.

There, the Bennetts met with eight animals, including the final two “Benny’s Buddies” adoptions from the previous season — a 3-year-old female dog named Piper and another 3-year-old dog called Kate.

A few sniffs and licks of the Stanley Cup — by the animals of course — was just a small part of a great day for all parties in attendance.

“It’s absolutely incredible,” Bennett joyfully said about bringing the Cup to the Humane Society. “I didn’t think I would have the opportunity [to bring the Cup]. I just found out a couple of weeks ago that I was going to have an hour with the Cup today.

“I’m so excited to bring it here and just get more attention to the Humane Society… that’s really the whole goal. It’s to get more people to come and look at adopting pets.”

Over the offseason, Bennett signed an eight-year, $64 million contract extension with the Panthers. With that, “Benny’s Buddies” will continue on into the 2025-26 season.

“That’s the plan… every goal I score will cover the adoption fee of a dog or a cat,” Bennett said regarding his charitable contributions headed into next season.

“Me and my wife both loved animals our whole lives,” Bennett said when asked why he chose to sponsor animal adoptions. “My wife started volunteering here a couple years ago when I first got traded [to Florida]. Then, we ended up adopting a dog from here and there were so many amazing animals. We wanted to do something to help more animals get adopted.”

Before starting “Benny’s Buddies”, Sam and Zoe rescued two animals in the Fort Lauderdale area, with their dog Billie being adopted from the Humane Society.

While Bennett was the one sponsoring adoption fees, his Panthers teammates were excited to help out in their own way.

“My teammates all throughout the year, every time I scored they would say ‘oh that was for the animals’. If someone gave me a back-door tap in they would say ‘oh I passed it so you could get another animal adopted’.”

Much like his play from last season, Bennett’s charity only continued to reach greater heights as the year progressed. Bennett said many people reached out to him over the season to see how they could help.

Merchandise requests have also been at an all-time high after both Bennett and Panthers head coach Paul Maurice dawned a “Benny’s Buddies” hat at the Stanley Cup parade last June.

“I didn’t think people would want them that bad,” Benentt said regarding the hats. “Everyone’s been asking where we can get them. So we’re in the process of trying to get that going.”

If you’re interested in adopting a pet, learn more at the Humane Society of Broward County.