How a Dead Rat Started a Legendary Hockey Tradition

Florida Panthers' Rat Tradition: A Quirky History The Florida Panthers, an NHL team, have a unique tradition: throwing rats onto the ice after a goal. This unusual practice originated in 1996, during the team's first playoff appearance. According to the Pardon My Take podcast, the tradition began after a player famously killed a rat in the old arena with a stick. The story grew, and soon, rats were being thrown onto the ice to celebrate goals. "The story grew," says one of the podcast hosts, "and all of a sudden, on this playoff run, every goal, they're chucking rats on the ice." The team eventually had to stop the tradition, but the story remains a fun part of Panthers history. The video shows clips of the rats being thrown on the ice, along with the podcast hosts discussing the origin of the tradition. It's a fun and engaging story, highlighting a unique aspect of hockey culture. The story highlights the unusual and often humorous side of sports, making it a great story for a wider audience.