The history behind 4 of the best hockey traditions

One of the biggest reasons we love the game of hockey is its traditions. From playoff beards to handshakes to not touching the Conference trophies to throwing hats onto the ice, the sport we love so much is full of traditions that set it apart from all the rest.

While watching the Montreal Canadiens host the Tampa Bay Lightning last night, it dawned on me that I had no idea why the fans at the Bell Centre sing "Olé, Olé, Olé.” So, I put on my research cap to find the answer to share with you, as well as the origin of three other fan traditions.

Cheering the Anthem

Before we get to those crazy Habs fans, let’s talk about a tradition that many of you have taken part in over the years. There is something about being at the United Center and hearing Chicago Blackhawks fans cheer during the Star-Spangled Banner, especially during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Unfortunately, we haven’t been treated to a postseason rendition in quite some time.

While hearing the fans cheer over Jim Corneilson is great, even the loudest rendition at the United Center can’t hold a candle to the roar at the old Chicago Stadium with Wayne Messmer. The largest pipe organ ever built shook the arena walls, and with over 17,000 rapid fans screaming, it was a miracle the building didn’t come crumbling down before the rockets’ red glare.

Most of the hockey world was first exposed to the tradition at the 1991 NHL All-Star Game. With the United States involved in the Persian Gulf War, the patriotism and volume were cranked up to 11.

The tradition began six years earlier, during the 1985 Campbell Conference Finals. The Blackhawks returned home down 0-2 to the Edmonton Oilers after being outscored 18-5, so the crowd wanted to give the team some extra motivation ahead of Game 3. While there is a version of the story that Oilers fans booed the Star-Spangled Banner, prompting Blackhawks fans to cheer, that is more of an urban legend than anything else. Their cheering worked as the Blackhawks won the next two games to even up the series.

Throwing the Octopus

You’ve likely been to a Blackhawks game against the Detroit Red Wings and watched some weirdo from the Motor City pull a dead octopus out from under his jersey and toss it onto the ice. This has been a tradition in Detroit for nearly 75 years.

The first octopus was thrown onto the ice in 1952. Brothers Pete and Jerry Cusimano owned Detroit’s Eastern Market, hurled one on the rink at Olympia Stadium. The eight arms stood for the number of wins needed to win the Stanley Cup back then. The Red Wings went on to sweep both the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Canadiens to win their fifth Stanley Cup in franchise history.

The octopus tossing has been part of the Red Wings' lore ever since. Since then, there have been many imitations, including Nashville Predators fans throwing catfish onto the ice. How original. Oilers fans threw steaks during a 2006 playoff series against the Red Wings. In 2007, fans in San Jose threw an actual Shark onto the ice after scoring a goal. How does one sneak a four-foot shark into an arena?

It’s Raining Rats

The Florida Panthers don’t have the long and storied histories of the other teams in this profile. However, it didn’t take their fans very long to make the “Rat Trick” one of hockey’s most loved traditions.

Before the home opener of the 1995-96 season, the Panthers’ third season in the NHL, Scott Mellanby’s act of housekeeping became one of the most important events of the franchise’s early history. On Oct. 8, 1995, a rat ran into the locker room at Miami Arena. Mellanby took care of the pest by whacking it across the room with his hockey stick. He used that stick to score two goals in a 4-3 win over the Calgary Flames.

During the next home game, a fan threw a plastic rat onto the ice after a Panthers goal. In the next game, a few more rats showed up. Eventually, it grew to thousands of rats as the Panthers made a run all the way to the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Colorado Avalanche.

Bullfighting in Montreal

Now, back to the tradition that sparked this article, why do Canadiens fans use a chant inspired by soccer fans? The word “Olé” is a Spanish interjection used to cheer on or praise a performance, and is usually associated with bullfighting. The song you hear in Montreal originated in Europe in the 1980s and eventually became a staple at soccer stadiums worldwide.

While there isn’t a defining moment when the chant became tradition, it has become a vital part of Canadiens games for years. There is a debate about the meaning of the chant. Some think it’s sung to tell the opposing team that the game is over and the Canadiens are the victors. However, that doesn't make sense as it’s not only sung after victories. Rather, the chant is used in the vein of the bullfighting tradition. It is a show of approval from the Montreal faithful of what they are seeing on the ice.

As Blackhawks fans, we are lucky to be a part of one of these great hockey traditions. They are fun and make every fan base unique. The history of the game and its traditions are what make hockey so special and only add to the enjoyment and pride of being a fan.

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