Interview With A Panthers Ice Dancer

Last week Sunshine State Hockey decided to pass the boring month of August by reaching out to members of the Florida Panthers organization for interviews. We are very happy to announce that someone replied back and was more than happy to do an interview with us. The individual that answered back was none other than Panthers Ice Dancer veteran, Silvia.

SSH asked Silvia some tough questions but she was more than ready to provide the answers. Without anymore delay Sunshine State Hockey is proud to present our interview with one of the nicest Ice Dancers on the squad.

Sunshine State Hockey: Can you tell the readers of Sunshine State Hockey a little about yourself?

Silvia: Hi everyone! my name is Silvia, I am from Miami FL, but my parents are from Spain and Italy. I go to Florida International University majoring in early childhood education and my hobbies are spending time with my family, going to the beach, scrap booking, and of course dancing! This will be my third year as a Florida Panthers Ice Dancer.

SSH: What’s the process for becoming a Florida Panthers Ice Dancer like?

Silvia: It is an intense but exciting process! Every year we hold auditions where the returning veterans as well as the Ice Dancer hopefuls have to audition. The first auditions are Prelims, the first round is free style, and the second is learning a routine and showing it in front of a panel of judges. After that day there will be a group of girls selected for the boot camp and hopefully to make it to finals. During that week the girls go through an interview process as well as learning more choreography and intense workouts. It is to see who has what it takes to be on the squad! at the end of the week, we have a show where the girls will demonstrate two routines learned at the boot camp as well as a one minute solo to show their talent of choice. After all that the final team is selected!

SSH: You and the rest of the squad see each other a lot during the season. Do you all hang out after the games and events, and have you developed any close friendships during your time with the organization?

Silvia: I definitely have developed close friendships during my time with the organization. At the end of the day we are not only teammates but also a big family. After two years, going on my third of being on the team, I have made best friends, some who I consider like sisters and that is one of my favorite things about being part of this amazing team! We all do hang out after games. We try to do dinner often, or plan things to do on the weekend. Like I said, we all see each other so much that we become like sisters!

SSH: Since you’re one of the veterans do you give advice to the rookies before and during the practices, games, and events?

Silvia: As a veteran I feel its imperative that I look out for the new rookies and help them accommodate to the team as best as possible. I try to always give them advice on anything they may need, and try to be available for them to call me whenever they need anything. We are there to help each other and to grow as people and as a team.

SSH: Do you have any interesting or funny stories that you’d be willing to share from your past years on the squad?

Silvia: I have a memorable story! Last season, a couple days after my birthday, it was the last game and all the girls and I were signing calendars and squad photos when this little boy comes up to the table with a huge poster board that read “Happy Birthday Silvia, can I have a hug?” He was the cutest little boy I had ever seen! That seriously made my night!

SSH: The Ice Dancers have gone to some beautiful locations for the calendar shoots, do you have a favorite and could you give us a hint as to where the next shoot will take place?

Silvia: Every year we have been lucky enough to shoot our calendar in gorgeous locations! My favorite was where we went my first year, which was Grand Bahama Island. It was absolutely beautiful! And no I have no idea where we will be going this year, we wont know til September, but I’m sure it will be somewhere hot!

SSH: The Ice Dancers now dance at center ice during the 2nd intermission, what’s that like for you and the rest of the team?

Silvia: We absolutely love dancing on ice! It is something we are so proud of because we work hard and practice often to make the ice routines look amazing, so when the 2nd intermission comes around we are all ecstatic to get on the ice!

SSH: Were you a fan of hockey before joining the Ice Dancers? If not, how long did it take you to pick up on the rules of the game? If so, were the Panthers always your favorite team?

Silvia: I always loved every sport, and hockey was definitely one of them! I got much more into it once I joined the team, and now I am a HUGE hockey fan, and in particular, a Panthers fan! They were always my favorite team!

SSH: If you were a player in the NHL which position would you play?

Silvia: I would play Center!

SSH: Final question. Dale Tallon completely rebuilt the Florida Panthers this summer. Which of the new players are you most excited to see hit the ice on opening night?

Silvia: I am so excited to see the changes Dale Tallon has made with the Panthers. It is going to be a great season and we will hopefully make the playoffs this year! The new player that I am most excited about seeing play on opening night is Erik Gudbranson! He is an amazing player, so young and with so much talent, he is definitely a threat to be reckoned with!

We would like to thank Silvia for taking the time to do the interview with Sunshine State Hockey during a busy week of Ice Dancer boot camps. SSH would also like to congratulate her on making the squad for the third year in a row. The organization definitely make a great choice in bringing Silvia back.

Keep checking back with Sunshine State Hockey all month long for news about the NHL, the Florida Panthers, the SSHL, and maybe even some more interviews.