Florida Rum and Canadian Whisky Are at the Center of Ron DeSantis’ Boozy Stanley Cup Finals Bet With Canadian Politician

As the Stanley Cup Finals heat up for a climactic face-off between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers, Governor Ron DeSantis has tossed his hat into the rink with a spirited bet. The puck got spinning on Saturday when Danielle Smith, the premier of Alberta, challenged the Florida governor to a wager on X, formerly known as Twitter. Smith proposed that each nation bet their favorite alcohol on the outcome of the hockey finals. Incidentally, the challenge was issued shortly before the Oilers lost their first match against the Panthers, 3-0. At a news conference Monday, DeSantis responded to the wager with a wink and a smirk, offering to send over Florida rum and more if the Oilers "somehow" manage to win the match.

"I actually have a bet with the Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith. If the Oilers win, I've got to send Florida rum up to Alberta, but if the Panthers win she's gotta send some nice Canadian whisky down to Florida. ... If somehow the Oilers win, not only I'll send the rum, I'll throw in a key lime pie to boot," DeSantis remarked at a press conference.

The bet may end up coming to fruition sooner rather than later; the Panthers lead against the Oilers 2-0 in the series, with the next two games scheduled for Thursday and Saturday. If Florida can notch another pair of wins under its belt and complete the sweep, Canadian whisky will be flowing south in no time. Hockey and rum is the latest incongruous pairing from a state chock full of bizarre combos. Depending on who you ask, rum is the less surprising part of the equation. The Sunshine State is chock full of well-received rum distilleries, thanks in no small part to Florida's status as the largest sugarcane producer in the U.S. If DeSantis ends up losing the challenge, we could imagine him sending over a few crates of Papa's Pilar from Key West or some Black Coral Rum from West Palm Beach. Canada, meanwhile, is internationally renowned for whisky imprints like Crown Royal. Displaying some hometown pride, Smith might send over a bottle from her region's Alberta Distillers, recognized as the largest producer of 100% rye whiskey in North America. Odds currently favor the Florida Panthers as the team seeks its first-ever championship win. In contrast, the Oilers have previously won the Stanley Cup in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988 and 1990.

It's a bet, @ABDanielleSmith!

And, we'll even throw in a Key Lime Pie. https://t.co/Vo8HSSwacX pic.twitter.com/gIN7hVOksw — Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) June 10, 2024

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