Except for hat trick hats, fans throwing items onto hockey ice is highly discouraged (and potentially dangerous). However, certain items in certain cities have become part of hockey lore.
Octopus in Detroit
Catfish in Nashville
Leopard Sharks in San Jose
Rubber Rattlesnake in Arizona (RIP)
Plastic Rats in Florida
Hamburgers in Ottawa
The “Teddy Bear Toss” For Charity
As visitors to Climate Pledge Arena know, the Seattle Kraken have reversed that tradition. After home wins, it’s Kraken players named one of the three stars who toss plushie salmon souveniers into the stands for lucky fans. They’re usually autographed by the player.
In the photo essay below, a collection of last season’s best “yeet” snaps from DJLR ace photog Jenn Goldberg. The captions are my fault, including an explanation of what “yeet” means.
Andre Burakovsky is about to mimic the fish-throwing which is an iconic attraction at Pike Place Market. @Jennthulhu_PhotosMatty Beniers, in the act of “Yeeting.” Merriam-Webster added “yeet” to its dictionary in 2022: “A slang word broadly meaning ‘to throw,’ but especially used to emphasize forcefulness and a lack of concern for the thing being thrown.” @Jennthulhu_PhotosThat definition doesn’t ring completely true with the Kraken salmon. Extra sand for heft has been added to the anatomically-correct plushies, so Beniers and teammates can yeet them beyond the first rows. @Jennthulhu_PhotosOliver Bjorkstrand explained to NHL.com why he prefers soft salmon to the traditional puck or stick postgame giveaways. “Sometimes, (tossing a stick) can be kind of awkward. You try to give a stick to a kid right in front and somebody else grabs it. And you can’t really give it to a kid halfway up (the stands).” @Jennthulhu_PhotosJordan Eberle certainly doesn’t seem to mind the assignment. @Jennthulhu_PhotosAdam Larsson, strategically scanning the CPA stands for a worthy recipient. @Jennthulhu_PhotosThere is technique involved; here, Jaden Schwartz reminding himself to yeet the fish, not his glove. @Jennthulhu_PhotosYanni Gourde, increasing the degree of difficulty with the rarely used upside-down salmon yeet. @Jennthulhu_PhotosPhilipp Grubauer, demonstrating excellent form in the post-yeet follow through. @Jennthulhu_PhotosJoey Daccord did almost everything right during his first full season of NHL goaltending… except… @Jennthulhu_Photos…He lacked the Grubauer form on one early-season yeet, and had to go salmon-retrieving. @Jennthulhu_PhotosBut hey, when you’re finally having a breakout NHL season, a little thing like a substandard yeet isn’t going to make you lose your smile. Joey’s 2nd yeet cleared the glass. @Jennthulhu_Photos
