This fan deserved a penalty.
A rowdy Toronto Maple Leafs fan snatched a longtime season ticket holder’s expensive hat off his head and sailed it across to the ice after a hat trick, all to the displeasure of the cap’s rightful owner and NHL fans alike.
John Hamilton, 73, was having fun with the second period of Thursday night’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers, when Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews scored his third goal, causing Scotiabank Arena to erupt as other fans threw their hats onto the ice — celebrating certainly one of the more beloved traditions of the game.
As Van Halen’s hit song “Panama” blasted through the sector, Hamilton watched in disbelief as his $300 fedora, which he paired together with his signed Dave Keon sweater, landed on the ice, believing the hat was gone for good, in line with the viral footage.
“I used to be surprised,” Hamilton told the Toronto Sun. “I assumed it was a joke at first, too, until I saw my hat on the ice.”
Hamilton said he had some alternative words when he confronted the fan behind him, however the hat thrower only deflected the blame away from himself.
“He told me to,” the unknown fan said, pointing to his buddy who was recording your complete ordeal.
Hamilton, a 40-year season ticket holder, eventually reunited with the fedora inside five minutes after his buddies yelled on the ice crew concerning the coveted headwear.
The fan, realizing his stunt didn’t get the response he hoped for, soon quieted down and was seemingly embarrassed.
“He did sit down in his seat and got very red within the face because plenty of people were around him,” Hamilton said. “I believe he didn’t expect the response that he got, and I believe he was suddenly going ‘Oops wonder what happened here.’”
Hamilton never received an apology from the offender, however the fan behind the camera reportedly apologized several times for his friend’s antics and even ordered the 4 fans in front of him a round of drinks.
“Several times he apologized, I’m gonna guess 4 or five times, got back into the (Air Canada) Signature Club and he ordered the staff to get us beers for the three buddies and myself,” Hamilton added.
Hamilton speculated that the fan can have been kicked, as he wasn’t seen again after the second intermission.
Although he was frustrated with the person immediately after the incident, Hamilton didn’t want anything bad to occur to him.
“My friends told me in today’s world when something goes around on social media they will lose their job,” Hamilton told the outlet.
“I wouldn’t want that to occur,” he added. “I might accept an apology of course, forgive him and move on. I got my hat back, and we now have done silly things in our youth.”
Social media users quickly went after the hat-throwing fan, saying it was a nasty search for Leafs fans and
“The lesson in all of that is don’t be an A–hole, don’t destroy one other person’s enjoyment to get “clicks” or 15 seconds of fame,” one user said on X.
“That deserves a crosscheck,” one other comment read.
“Nah thats so disrespectful! You don’t touch other people or their property,” one other viewer said.
“Not cool in any respect..that hat could have meant something to that man..if it’s not yours don’t touch it easy as that,” one person said on X.
After getting his hat back and having his free drinks, Hamilton enjoyed the remainder of the sport, because the Maple Leafs won in additional time off a William Nylander goal.
