The Florida Panthers have developed one of the NHL’s quirkiest postgame traditions: launching plastic rats at teammate Brad Marchand after each victory. Marchand, who was traded to Florida from the Boston Bruins, is no stranger to the term “rat,” a nickname earned over his 16-year career for his on-ice agitation.
Now, his new teammates are embracing the moniker quite literally, pelting him with plastic rodents as a humorous nod to both his reputation and the franchise’s own long-standing rodent-related rituals.
From Locker Room Legend To Team Tradition: The Panthers Rat Ritual Began Naturally
This unusual celebration traces back to the 1995-96 season when Panthers forward Scott Mellanby famously killed a locker room rat with his stick before scoring two goals in a game — a moment that became known as “The Rat Trick.” Since then, plastic rats have become symbolic of the franchise, thrown by fans after victories and sold in the team store. With Marchand’s arrival, the tradition took a personalized twist. What began as a spontaneous act by winger Evan Rodrigues has grown into a full-blown locker room ritual.
Panthers Keep It Light with Plastic Rat Tradition as Marchand Becomes Team’s Favorite TargetAccording to Rodrigues, the celebration started after the Panthers won the first game with Marchand on the roster. His teammates — including captain Aleksander Barkov and agitator Matthew Tkachuk — joined in, hurling plastic rats at Marchand as he left the ice. The act, while painful at times, is all in good fun, with Marchand himself acknowledging the humor in the situation. The players don’t overthink it; the gesture evolved naturally and became an expression of their camaraderie and relaxed team culture.
Plastic Rats Fly on the Road as Panthers Embrace Playful, Championship Team Culture
The rat-tossing tradition isn’t limited to home games. During a dominant 5-0 Game 2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, Panthers fans threw enough plastic rats onto the ice to continue the tradition on the road. Even head coach Paul Maurice witnessed the spectacle up close for the first time, humorously noting how forcefully the rats were being hurled. He joked about dodging “shrapnel” and trying to exit the ice unscathed, reflecting the light-hearted atmosphere the ritual brings.
For the Panthers, this rat-centric fun is a reflection of a deeper team culture built around humor and consistency, even in high-stakes situations. Players like Sam Bennett and Marchand describe a locker room that maintains the same playful energy in playoff games as it does in preseason.
Coach Maurice emphasized how organic moments like these boost morale during long postseason runs. As the team chases a second consecutive Stanley Cup, their ability to stay loose—with a little plastic rat warfare—may be one of their biggest assets.
