

The ceremonial first puck is also referred to as the "ceremonial puck drop". Especially in the minor leagues, multiple first puck drops are not uncommon the honoree may merely pose at centre ice displaying his commemorative puck without actually dropping it into any faceoff.

The ceremonial puck dropper may be a notable person (dignitary, celebrity, former player, etc.) who is in attendance, an executive from a company that sponsors the team (especially when that company has sponsored that night's promotional giveaway), or a person who has been awarded the privilege as a result of some recent contest or current event.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63365331/usa_today_12020994.0.jpg)
In the National Hockey League (NHL), the anthem is routinely played after the ceremonial first puck. Like baseball's ceremonial first pitch, this first puck does not actually begin play but is retrieved and presented to the guest of honor as a keepsake. The ceremonial first puck is a longstanding ritual of ice hockey in which a guest of honor drops a puck to mark the end of pregame festivities and the start of the game.
