The final horn blasts inside Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, and rats come raining down onto the ice to the excitement of the Florida Panthers after a win. Away players take shelter as they head for the tunnel, dodging the projectile rodents. It’s one of the most fun traditions in the NHL—which has no shortage of crazy fan ceremonies before and after games. But why do Panthers fans throw rats onto the ice after games?
The Florida Panthers were established as an NHL team ahead of the 1993–94 season. Their original mascot was none other than a Florida panther—famously known as Stanley C. Panther—but since joining the league, they have introduced a second team mascot: Viktor E. Ratt.
While many fans across the league may believe that the throwing of rats onto the ice stems from the eternal dispute between cats and rats—and that, as the Cats celebrate, fans toss them plastic rats to “feast on” after wins—the real story behind the celebration is much more entertaining and unique.
Whereas most teams relate poor performances with the littering and throwing of debris on the ice, the Florida Panthers have a completely different perspective. And it all started during the Panthers’ third season in the league, back in 1995.
Plastic rats litter the ice following the game between the Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights in Game Three of the 2023 NHL Stanley Cup Final at FLA Live Arena on June 08, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida.
The Rat trick
On the eve of the Panthers’ home-opener of the 1995-96 NHL season, forward Scott Mellanby came across a rat running around the locker at Miami Arena. As if it was a loose puck in the slot, Mellanby took a slap shot at the intrusive rodent, sending it flying against the wall and landing dead on the floor.
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The incident would’ve been just a curious story but it turned into so much more after Mellanby went on to score two goals in Florida’s 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames. After the game, netminder John Vanbiesbrouck told the story to reporters and stated Mellanby scored the first ever “rat trick“.
Though excited about securing the first win of the season then, many Panthers players were upset to find out the team’s equipment manager, Scott Tinkler had gotten rid of the dead creature, as they hoped to taxidermize it as a symbol of the team.
In hopes of mending his “mistake”, Tinkler bought a plastic rat at a Halloween store and placed it on the spot where the actual rat had been killed by Mellanby. The odd sanctuary inside the Cats’ locker room went public and fans absolutely loved it. The crowd began throwing plastic rats after every Mellanby goal—at first—but then would go on to toss them after any score from the home team.
Clean-up workes clear the ice of rubber rats after Florida scored a goal during the first period of game three of the Stanley Cup Finals at Miami Arena in Miami, Florida.
Taking shelter
That same season, the Panthers reached the Stanley Cup Final in miraculous fashion and the rink in South Florida would become littered with rats after every goal—sometimes actual rats were found among the plastic copycats. It was named “The Year of the Rat” for the Florida Panthers, but it ended in heartbreak as the Colorado Avalanche swept them in the Stanley Cup Final.
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Throughout the postseason, opposing goaltenders were often seen hiding inside their nets after allowing goals, trying to avoid contact with the rats. That became a common sight—until Patrick Roy walked into Miami Arena. The Avs’ netminder had other plans and couldn’t have cared less about the rodent rain inside the rink.
Instead, he stood his ground, embraced the moment, and made sure not to allow another goal. It paid off—Roy gave up just two goals in Game 3 and followed it up with a shutout in Game 4 to hoist Lord Stanley.
The league takes action
After the chaotic 1995-96 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the NHL stepped in and banned the throwing of rats onto the ice after goals in Florida. If they tossed them, the Cats would be assessed a minor penalty for delay of game.
Evan Rodrigues #17 sends a plastic rat at Brad Marchand #63 in a postgame ritual following a win over t he Carolina Hurricanes of Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Amerant Bank Arena on May 24, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida.
Thus, fans in Florida stuck with the current tradition: saving the rats and throwing them onto the frozen surface once the final horn sounds and the Panthers skate away with the win. The rat-throwing isn’t limited to Sunrise, though—fans have taken the ritual on the road, continuing it beyond enemy lines.
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The Panthers and their rats have seen great success—just as they’ve endured seasons of pain. One thing is clear, regardless: the rats won’t ever be exterminated in Sunrise. They’re now a big part of the team’s identity. Through thick and thin, the rats are always present at Amerant Bank Arena, waiting for the perfect moment to fly onto the ice, where the players happily welcome and interact with them.
