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Panthers show support for Parkland shooting victims

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(CNN) – Professional sports teams in South Florida are showing their support for the victims of the school shooting in Parkland.

Players on the Florida Panthers NHL team are wearing Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School patches on their uniforms.

The team also hosted a blood drive Thursday.

The Panthers play at home in Broward County Friday night for the first time since the shooting that claimed 17 lives last Wednesday.

They will show a special video tribute and have a moment of silence before the game.

For many on the team, the school shooting hit very close to home.

"Yeah, it's our first chance to see the reality of it all,” said Bob Boughner, the Panthers head coach. “I mean, obviously, when you hear that sort of news on the road and you see from a distance what everyone is dealing with and the community, you follow it as best as you can. But until you get home and see it up close, obviously it's going to be an emotional night."

Derek Mackenzie, the Panthers team captain, said he lives in Parkland, and that his kids go to school near Marjory Stoneman Douglas.

“I think things kind of changed, obviously, when I got the news that my kids were safe,” Mackenzie said. “You kind of switch gears and you just hope for the best."

The Panthers are selling the patch and will donate the proceeds to the Parkland victims’ fund.

The Miami Heat NBA team also plans to wear the school patch for the rest of their season.

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