The Florida Panthers are making headlines once again, especially with their unconventional tradition of throwing fake rats onto the ice during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This vibrant tradition has become synonymous with the team’s identity, especially as they strive for their second consecutive championship after defeating the Edmonton Oilers to win the 2024 Stanley Cup.
As the Panthers enter the 2025 playoffs, fans are once again celebrating their team’s goals by tossing rubber rats. In their quest for a third consecutive Stanley Cup Final, the Panthers, who are the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic Division, advanced through the playoffs, overcoming the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games and the Toronto Maple Leafs in a dramatic seven-game series.
The rat-throwing tradition traces back to the 1995-96 season when forward Scott Mellanby famously killed a rat in the locker room with his stick. He went on to score two goals that game, leading to a playful reference to a “rat trick.” The spirit of this event continued when one of the team’s equipment managers, Scott Tinkler, brought a rubber rat into the arena, prompting fans to start throwing fake rats in celebration, especially in connection with Mellanby’s scoring.
The tradition became so prevalent that during the Panthers’ remarkable 1995-96 season, culminating in a run to the Stanley Cup Final, it was named the “Year of the Rat.” However, the NHL imposed a ban on the practice after the Cup Final due to delays in removing the rats from the ice, yet fans have not ceased their celebrations.
One of the iconic mascots of the Panthers, Viktor E. Ratt, added to the fun in 2014, showing the humorous side of the franchise’s culture. With the team’s ongoing success and the rat tradition re-emerging, the Panthers’ enthusiastic fan base continues to energize the atmosphere during the playoffs.
This tradition not only illustrates the community’s passion but also adds a unique character to the franchise, making the Florida Panthers a team unlike any other in the NHL. As the playoffs continue, the hopes for another championship remain high, and the suspense builds around what the future holds for this exciting team.