This week’s Monochrome Monday needs a little introduction for fans outside of the Pacific Northwest. Each NHL team has its own unique way of celebrating a win on home ice. The Bruins’ Swayman and Ullmark perfected the goalie hug, Panthers fans throw rubber rats, and the Red Wings started throwing an octopus onto the ice. Some traditions are born organically, while others are inspired by the local hockey community. At the end of most professional hockey games, three skaters are called back to the ice and recognized for their individual contributions to the game. These “three stars” of the game typically raise their hands and salute the crowd, and often toss a puck or stick to a lucky fan in the stands.
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Seattle wanted to do things a little differently by incorporating a recognizable element that pays homage to its fishing community. Head to the city’s historic Public Market and on any given day you’ll see the famous fishmongers of Pike Place Fish Co. tossing a fish to eager customers. The fish market is a favorite tourist destination and has been featured on CNN and MTV’s The Real World. The Kraken entertainment production team was inspired by the Public Market’s fish toss, and thus “Yeet the Fish” was born. In keeping with the team’s commitment to promoting sustainability and honoring indigenous traditions, Seattle chose a salmon as its fish. Each salmon is autographed by a player before being tossed, and includes details about the fish’s species and origin. The first “yeeting” will take place during the Kraken’s 2022-23 season, with goalie Phillip Grubauer becoming the first to toss the fish.
After two seasons of yeeting, the players have switched up their toss strategy to keep fans on the edge of their seats. One of the most memorable Kraken fish tosses came during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Winter Classic, when the Pike Place Fish crew threw their daily catch over the players’ heads. Earlier this year, the fishermen switched to throwing a stuffed fish instead of an aquatic creature.
Now that you know the background, here’s this week’s gallery.
@Caroline Anne/The Hockey News
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