Bill Zito, former bat boy for the Milwaukee Brewers, has made a name for himself in the NHL as the general manager of the Florida Panthers. Despite facing several rejections in his pursuit of GM positions with other teams, he eventually landed the job with the Panthers in September 2020. Leaving behind his successful player agency business, Zito took on the role of AGM with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2013 before moving on to become the GM of the Panthers. His hard work and patience paid off when he was recently signed to a multiyear extension and promoted to the title of president of hockey operations with the Panthers.
Zito has built a strong team in Florida, surrounded by talented players and a supportive staff. With core players like Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, and Sergei Bobrovsky, Zito has added key players to the roster through trades and signings, including Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, and Matthew Tkachuk. His aggressive approach to team building has been commended by others in the league, with Tampa Bay Lightning GM Julien BriseBois praising Zito for his leadership and bold decision-making.
As a first-time GM, Zito has not been afraid to make moves and reshape the Panthers roster to his liking. While some GMs may be hesitant to pull the trigger on trades, Zito has shown that he is willing to take risks to improve his team. With the support of the ownership group and his colleagues, Zito has created a winning culture in Florida that has positioned the Panthers as a top team in the league.
Despite his success, Zito acknowledges that there is always room for growth and improvement. He struggles with delegating responsibilities and admits that he finds it hard to let go of every decision. Learning to trust his team and delegate more effectively is an ongoing challenge for Zito as he navigates the demands of being a GM in the NHL. Surrounding himself with experienced mentors and learning from others in the league has helped Zito continue to evolve and grow in his role.
As the Panthers gear up for the Stanley Cup playoffs, Zito remains focused on the task at hand. With key decisions to be made in the offseason, such as re-signing pending free agent Sam Reinhart, Zito is confident in his team and their ability to compete at a high level. Building on the foundation laid by former GM Dale Tallon, Zito has set his sights on achieving success in the playoffs and ultimately bringing a Stanley Cup to Florida. With the support of his colleagues and the Panthers organization, Zito is determined to continue making bold moves and building a championship-caliber team in South Florida.
