FAN-THROWN NO. 12 PLASTIC RAT

No season lives in Panthers fans’ memories like 1995-1996, when the team made its historic run to the Stanley Cup Final. Known as “The Year of The Rat,” after Scott Mellanby killed a rat with his stick near the team’s clubhouse at the old Miami Arena. The story caught fire and fans created a tradition of tossing plastic rats on the ice after a goal. Some got more creative and painted their rats, including this one possibly in honor of Jody Hull. Note the great attention to detail including painted whiskers and “patches” on the shoulders.