A photo posted by Phil Pritchard, the Hockey Hall of Fame’s Keeper of the Cup, shows the Florida-themed side of the Prince of ...

Bill Zito calls it a “privilege” to be where he is right now. He’s wrapping up his fourth season with the Florida Panthers, who are in the midst of yet another deep playoff run.

Florida Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour (62) celebrates his goal with teammates during the second period of a hockey game on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla.

Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito took over a troubled franchise in 2020 and built it into a Stanley Cup contender. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier) ...

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — Bill Zito has been promoted by the Florida Panthers, with the team announcing Monday that its general manager will now also serve as the team’s president of hockey operations.

Florida’s presence in the playoffs may have been unexpected, but Bill Zito has been laying the groundwork for this run ever since he took over the general manager’s duties in September of 2020.

Paul Maurice, right, is introduced as the new head coach of the Florida Panthers by general manager Bill Zito, during an NHL hockey news conference at FLA Live Arena, Thursday, June 23, 2022, in ...

July arrived and the Panthers went back to work. Zito parted with Levi, who represented Canada at the U20 world juniors, and their 2022 first-round pick to the Buffalo Sabres for Sam Reinhart.