Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand was the player who helped defeat the "Hockey Club" in a thrilling overtime victory, thanks to his assist. Afterward he'd make it a point to collect his namesake, a rat that was thrown on the ice.

Brad Marchand's debut with the Florida Panthers was thrilling, as the team defeated the Utah Hockey Club 2-1 in overtime.

Marchand would earn his first point as a Panther logging an assist on Sam Bennett's goal. In response, the fans would send the rats flying in what seems an otherworldly scenario at this point in 2025 as Marchand wears the Panthers crest.

Instead of getting offended or upset, we all know Marchand's nerves are made of steel and would collect some of the Rats fans threw.

The scenario seemed odd, cause why would Marchand collect them? According to Katie Engleson, who works for the Florida Panthers, his children wanted them.

"Yeah, it was one of the things that my kids said right away," Marchand said after the game. "They were asking about the rats being thrown out there, and I was like, 'I don't know when it happens, but if it does, I'll grab a couple.'

"So, I did."

Hilariously, Marchand either is willfully ignorant of the rat-throwing tradition that hearkens back to the 90s, or is just being a good sport, but this was his response:

as he initially "wondered if they're some sort of tribute to injured Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk," per ESPN.

Marchand has adjusted quite well in the Panthers' system, and we're happy for him. Despite how wrong it is to see him in the Red that the team wears at home.

He's found a home on the Panthers' second line with Sam Bennett centering him, and winger Mackie Samoskevich on the left.

And now he's able to give the gift of novelty to his children in his new home of Florida.

Marchand's children should thank Scott Mellanby for starting it all.