Every sport has its unique fan traditions, but few are as peculiar as seeing plastic rodents raining down onto the ice during a hockey game. For fans of the Florida Panthers, throwing rats onto the ice is a celebrated custom, particularly during home games and playoff runs. But for newcomers to the sport or those unfamiliar with the Panthers, this spectacle can be quite confusing. So, why do Florida Panthers fans throw rats on the ice?
The answer to this unusual tradition dates back to the 1995-96 NHL season, only the third year of the Florida Panthers’ existence. On October 8, 1995, an unexpected visitor made its way into the Panthers’ locker room before a game against the Calgary Flames – a rat. In a moment that would become team lore, Panthers captain Scott Mellanby dispatched the rodent by using his hockey stick to swat it against the wall.
That same evening, in what some might call a twist of fate or simply good luck, Mellanby scored two goals against the Flames using the very stick he had used to deal with the rat. After the game, Florida’s goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck playfully declared that Mellanby had achieved a “rat trick,” a humorous spin on the traditional hockey term “hat trick,” which signifies a player scoring three goals in a single game.
Alt text: Action shot of Scott Mellanby, Florida Panthers player, skating with the puck during a game, highlighting his role in the ‘rat trick’ tradition.
The very next game, a single plastic rat appeared on the ice. Soon, more followed. What started as a quirky nod to Mellanby’s “rat trick” quickly evolved into a full-fledged fan tradition. Panthers fans began throwing plastic rats onto the ice after every Florida goal. The craze escalated rapidly, transforming the atmosphere of Miami Arena into a uniquely intimidating environment for visiting teams. The 1995-96 season was even dubbed the “Year of the Rat” in South Florida. The team embraced the tradition, even partnering with pest control company Orkin, whose employees, clad in exterminator gear, would comically sweep up the deluge of plastic rats from the ice after goals.
The “Year of the Rat” coincided with a remarkable season for the Panthers. For the first time in franchise history, they stormed into the NHL playoffs. Fueled by the energy of their rat-throwing fans and the stellar goaltending of Vanbiesbrouck, the Panthers embarked on an improbable playoff journey. They defeated the Boston Bruins in the first round, followed by an upset victory over the top-seeded Philadelphia Flyers. Their Cinderella run continued as they overcame the second-seeded Pittsburgh Penguins in a grueling seven-game Eastern Conference Final.
Alt text: Close-up of the Florida Panthers team logo prominently displayed on the ice rink, symbolizing the team’s identity and connection to the rat tradition.
However, the magic carpet ride ended in the Stanley Cup Final. The Panthers were swept by the Colorado Avalanche, failing to win a single game in the championship series. Despite the disappointing conclusion, the “Year of the Rat” and the plastic rat tradition etched themselves into hockey history, creating one of the most memorable and unique celebrations in the sport.
While the rat-throwing tradition saw a decrease in popularity in the years following the 1996 Stanley Cup run, it has experienced a resurgence in recent times, particularly during the Panthers’ playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024. For long-time Panthers supporters, the return of the rats evokes nostalgic memories of that exciting 1996 season. For newer generations of fans, it’s a chance to participate in a truly distinctive and entertaining hockey tradition that sets the Florida Panthers apart. The next time you see plastic rats flying onto the ice at a Panthers game, you’ll know it’s more than just random objects – it’s a symbol of team history, fan passion, and a touch of South Florida quirkiness in the world of professional hockey.
