Sunrise, Fla. — So, every time the Florida Panthers manage to snag a win, Brad Marchand is ready for the inevitable: his teammates start chucking plastic rats at him with their sticks as they make their way off the ice. It’s a peculiar postgame celebration that has become a trademark for the team in the NHL.
The tradition of Panthers fans tossing toy rats onto the ice dates back to the 1995-96 season when forward Scott Mellanby famously whacked a rodent with his stick, dubbing the moment “The Rat Trick.” Since then, rats have become an unofficial symbol for the franchise, with the team even selling rat-themed gear at their official store. Marchand, known for his agitator style of play, has been no stranger to being called a “rat” throughout his lengthy 16-year NHL career.
When the Panthers acquired Marchand from the Boston Bruins at the trade deadline, it only made sense for his teammates to start pelting him with plastic rodents after victories. The plastic rat-throwing tradition began with winger Evan Rodrigues and eventually expanded to include other players like captain Aleksander Barkov and the notorious agitator Matthew Tkachuk. It’s all in good fun, as Marchand puts it, with the players simply enjoying the moment and not overthinking the significance of the act.
Not really sure why this matters, but Panthers fans even got in on the action during Game 2 of the conference finals in Raleigh, tossing enough rats onto the ice to give the players plenty of ammo for their postgame celebration. Coach Paul Maurice got a taste of the rat-throwing frenzy firsthand and couldn’t help but find humor in the situation, highlighting the joy and camaraderie the team shares as they chase a second consecutive Stanley Cup championship. The light-hearted atmosphere and playful antics of the Panthers seem to be working for them, creating a unique team dynamic that sets them apart in the NHL. In the end, it’s all about having fun and embracing the quirky traditions that bring the team together on their quest for success.
