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Marchand Embraces Iconic Rat-Throw Ritual as Panthers Pursue Second Straight Stanley Cup

Throwing plastic rats after wins has evolved into a rallying symbol connecting players with fans in Florida’s nontraditional hockey market.

FILE - Toy rats litter the ice as the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers scuffle at the end of the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals in Sunrise, Fla., Monday, June 9, 2025.

Overview

  • Brad Marchand, traded from Boston in March, quipped before Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final that he hoped to get rats thrown at him and was greeted with toy rodents after Florida’s 6–1 win over Edmonton.
  • The tradition dates back to the Panthers’ 1995–96 opener when Scott Mellanby killed a rat in the locker room and scored two goals with the same stick, inspiring fans to toss toy rats onto the ice.
  • After an early surge of thrown rats prompted the NHL to fine in-game celebrations, the league still permits fans to hurl plastic rodents onto the ice following victories.
  • Panthers supporters and alumni credit the ritual with fostering a unique atmosphere in South Florida, and rat-themed merchandise remains widely available across Miami and beyond.
  • As Florida makes its third consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearance, the rat-throwing practice endures as a touchstone of the team’s identity and fan engagement.