Team captain Aleksander Barkov kept his jersey on but wore a Finnish flag around his neck.

He, like owner Vincent Viola, is normally rather reserved.

Not on Sunday.

Barkov was extremely lively both during the parade – he and Eetu Luostarinen drank from a fan’s sandals – and on stage.

Viola led the fans’ cheers as the buses rolled into the assembly area.

“South Florida, what’s up!” said Barkov, the first Finnish captain to lift the Stanley Cup.

“When I was drafted here 10 years ago in 2013, I never believed this day would come. Here I am with my teammates… here in front of you, all together on a rainy day during hurricane season, and we are here, on the beach, celebrating that we won the Cup.

“I don't have the words to express how grateful I am to everyone here. This crowd is coming to where I live in Boca Raton, probably 1 million people. Thank you so much.”

The rally featured highlights from the Panthers' run to the Stanley Cup, with Barkov, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, defenseman Aaron Ekblad and forward Matthew Tkachuk speaking to a crowd packed on the wet sand.

After Barkov finished his speech, he cheered the fans for Bobrovsky and said: “I always wanted to do this!”

Bobrovsky certainly sounded like he appreciated it.

“In 2019, on July 1, I had just signed a contract with the Florida Panthers,” Bobrovsky said, recalling his departure from the Columbus Blue Jackets as a free agent.

“At my first interview, they asked me why I came to Florida. My answer was, 'Because I want to win the Cup. And that's what I'm going to do here.' And now, five years later, we're here with you celebrating the biggest victory for this franchise.”

Roberto Luongo, the Hall of Fame goalie who works in the team's front office, also addressed the crowd after showing off his skills on the bass drum that opened Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final last Monday night in Sunrise.