Published on 4/21/2018 at 8:04 PM
The NHL’s most intense tradition is throwing random stuff onto the ice.
The Detroit Red Wing fans have been throwing an octopus on the ice since the 1950s. It’s believed the tradition started for 2 possible reasons: that it’s an offering for the octopi fisherman for harvest season, or an 8-tentacle salute to the 8 wins once needed to win the Stanley Cup.
Nashville Predators fans throw catfish on the ice. The tradition has been around since 2003 and its inspiration came from the Red Wings’ octopus stunt. Midwesterners who flocked to Nashville were inspired to create their own fish NHL tradition when the franchise was born there in 1998.
In Florida, Panthers fans have been throwing fake rats on the ice since their 1995-1996 season. It all started when Scott Mellanby killed a live rat in the locker room before scoring 2 goals in a game. After that, the toy rats started flying.
However, in 1996, the NHL decided to change its rules to penalize teams when their fans toss things on the ice. In 2016, the Panthers were penalized twice for the fake rats, but still ended up winning their game.
Despite the league’s efforts, we don’t see these wacky traditions dying out anytime soon.
I'm an avid sports enthusiast, particularly well-versed in the eccentric traditions of hockey fans, and I can demonstrate my expertise by delving into the rich history and origins of the peculiar ice-throwing rituals mentioned in the article.
Let's start with the Detroit Red Wings and their octopus tradition. Dating back to the 1950s, Red Wings fans have been hurling octopuses onto the ice, creating a unique and enduring spectacle. The belief is that this tradition began as either an offering to octopi fishermen during the harvest season or as an 8-tentacle salute, symbolizing the 8 wins historically needed to secure the Stanley Cup.
Moving on to the Nashville Predators, whose fans adopted a similar tradition in 2003 by throwing catfish onto the ice. The inspiration for this came from the Red Wings' octopus stunt, illustrating how these quirky rituals can inspire fanbases across different teams. Nashville's catfish-throwing tradition gained momentum, especially among Midwesterners who migrated to the city after the franchise's establishment in 1998.
In Florida, the Panthers' fans have a unique tradition involving fake rats. This tradition originated in the 1995-1996 season when Scott Mellanby killed a live rat in the locker room before going on to score 2 goals in a game. Subsequently, toy rats became a symbol of celebration for Panthers fans, despite the NHL's attempt to curb such activities by changing its rules in 1996 to penalize teams when their supporters throw objects onto the ice. In 2016, the Panthers faced penalties twice for the fake rats but still emerged victorious in their game.
The article highlights the NHL's efforts to discourage these unconventional traditions through rule changes, yet the fervor of fans remains unabated. The unique rituals, from octopuses to catfish and fake rats, add an extra layer of excitement and quirkiness to the hockey experience, showcasing the passionate and creative nature of hockey fandom.
FAQs
While they're on plenty of menus in the Music City, catfish are also found on the ice at Predators games. The tradition of fish tossing might have started back in 1999, when a fan threw a catfish on the ice during a game against Detroit -- a Nashville-styled response to the Red Wings' octopus-tossing ritual.
Why do they throw a catfish on the ice in hockey? ›
According to The Tennessean, Nashville Predators fans first began throwing catfish onto the ice in response to Detroit Red Wings fans tossing octopi on the ice. Why octopi? In 1952, eight postseason games were needed to win the Stanley Cup — now, 16 postseason wins are required.
What does it mean when they throw a fish on the ice? ›
The fish was used to resemble the visiting team, "fishing the puck out of the net." Former coach Dick Umile also got involved in the tradition in the early 1990's. At that time, the home team received a penalty if fans threw objects on the ice.
What NHL teams throw animals on the ice? ›
The Legend of the Octopus is a sports tradition during Detroit Red Wings home playoff games involving dead octopuses thrown onto the ice rink. The origins of the activity go back to the 1952 playoffs, when a National Hockey League team played two best-of-seven series to capture the Stanley Cup.
Why do Detroit fans throw octopus on the ice? ›
“The origin of the world-famous Detroit octopus throw is traced to 1952 when, during the third game of the final series against the Montreal Canadiens, Pete Cusimano, an east side fish market owner, celebrated the first Red Wing goal by throwing an octopus onto the ice,” the 1984 article read.
What NHL team throws rats on the ice? ›
However, you won't see fans toss fake rats onto the ice every time the Florida Panthers score-the NHL put a stop to that years ago. To make up for it, however, they allow fans to have their fun and throw the toy rats whenever a game ends at FLA Live Arena.
Why do hockey players throw rats on ice? ›
The tradition of the rats goes back to the 1995-96 NHL season, Florida's third year in the league after being added as an expansion team. On Oct. 8, 1995, the Panthers were getting set for a matchup against the Flames. Prior to the game, a rat entered Florida's locker room, causing a ruckus for the players.
What hockey teams fans throw octopus on the ice? ›
The "Legend of the Octopus" in the NHL is a tradition in which Detroit Red Wings fans throw dead octopuses on the rink. It's typically been done for home playoff games, but there are several instances of it occurring during road games.
Why is icing illegal in hockey? ›
The National Hockey League (NHL) introduced the icing rule in September 1937 to eliminate a common delaying tactic used by teams to protect a winning margin. A November 18, 1931 game between the New York Americans and Boston Bruins is cited as one extreme example that led to the ban on the practice.
What is so special about catfish? ›
Some species of catfish are able to breathe through their skin, which is why most species of catfish are lacking scales and have smooth, mucus covered skin. Catfish are one of a few fish that have an organ called the Weberian apparatus that they use to communicate with each other underwater.
Catch and release is a conservation practice developed to prevent overharvest of fish stocks in the face of growing human populations, mounting ecological pressure, increasingly effective fishing tackle and techniques, inadequate fishing regulations and enforcement, and habitat degradation.
What is the fish tradition in UNH? ›
In fact, the most cherished tradition takes place after UNH scores its first goal. A fish is thrown on the ice just in front of the opposing goalie's net. The passage of time has obscured the exact meaning of this gesture. Some say it means “yeah, that's right.
What does a squid mean in hockey? ›
Why do they throw squid on the ice during a hockey game? It is actually an octopus. Throwing an octopus on the ice was a tradition in Detroit, done by Red Wings fans. The octopus, with its eight legs, signified, at one time, the eight playoff wins necessary for a team to win the Stanley Cup.
Why do they throw flamingos on ice? ›
After the Golden Knights took a 1-0 lead in the game, a fan threw a pink flamingo on the ice, and the Victory Flamingo was born. The fan, Drew Johnson, was a season ticket holder hoping the little flamingo would help change the tide. The Golden Knights would end up winning the game, and the flamingo would catch on.
What is the umbrella in hockey? ›
The Umbrella power play is a slightly more advanced power-play system that is commonly used in higher levels of hockey. The main objective of this system is to move the puck quickly across the ice in order to draw the goalie to one side of the ice and then fire from the other.
Why do they throw stuffed animals in hockey? ›
The toys are gathered to be donated as presents to hospitals and charities. In many cases, the players themselves personally donate some of the bears to children at area hospitals. The Hershey Bears claim a record of 67,309 stuffed toys in a single hockey game.
What do hockey fans throw on the ice? ›
Hats. Hats can be thrown at any game. They are thrown for the “hat trick” when any one player scores three points in a game. Every time this happens, horns blow, fans cheer, and hats are thrown onto the ice.
What do they throw on the ice at Florida Panthers games? ›
(Fun fact: 1996 was also the Year of the Rat in the Chinese Zodiac calendar). Florida's faithful picked up on the trend and began throwing plastic rats -- purchased at gas stations, convenience stores or even at the rink itself -- onto the ice after Panthers goals.
