My brother-in-law Adam brought to my attention a very interesting article in the current issue of USA Hockey Magazine. It discusses the origins of some of the most commonly used hockey terms. Ever wonder who came up with the term Hat Trick? Wanna know when goalies first "Stood on their head?" Well, find out below. Thanks Zac Clark at USA Hockey Magazine!
Hat Trick
Occurs when a player scores three goals in a game. A natural hat trick is when a player scores all three goals consecutively. Originally coined in the game of cricket, the term was introduced to hockey by Toronto businessman Sammy Taft.
In the 1930s and 40s, Taft would promote his hats by giving them to an NHL player who scored three goals in a game. Now, fans litter the ice with hats after a player from the home team completes a hat trick.
Some teams donate the hats to local charities, while others put them on display in the arena.
Three Stars Of The Game
The NHL is the only professional sport in the United States to give recognition to the game's top players night in and night out.
The post-game ritual began in the 1936-37 season as a way for a Canadian oil company to promote its "Three Star" brand of gasoline. Upon the conclusion of the game, the three stars are announced and each player skates onto the ice, either to the sound of applause or boos depending on where the game is played.
One "Three Star" selection that has gone down in history was during the 1944 season when the Montreal Canadiens' Maurice Richard was selected as the No. 1, 2 and 3 stars after scoring all five of the Habs goals. Habs, by the way, is an abbreviation of "les habitants," the informal name given to the original settlers of New France, dating back to the 17th century. So it was a natural fit for the Montreal Canadiens, established in 1909 and marketed as a French-Canadian hockey team.
Lunch Pail Gang
Describes a hard-nosed, blue-collar type of player or group of players that give their best effort every game.
These players typically go unnoticed by fans, but are greatly appreciated by teammates.
The Boston Bruins of the 1970s were known as "The Lunch Pail Gang," led by colorful coach and current hockey commentator Don Cherry. A Boston columnist wrote, "They punch the time clock at 7:30 p.m., and never stop working."
Slap Shot
The slap shot is the standard for today's snipers, but that wasn't always the case.
The first player believed to use the slap shot was New York Rangers forward Alex Shibicky during the 1937 season. But it was Montreal Canadiens forward and 50-goal scorer Bernie Geoffrion who made the shot notorious.
Geoffrion claimed to have invented the shot as a youngster, and he intimidated NHL goalies with the golf-swing style windup during his 16-year career. Geoffrion was playing Junior hockey in the late 1940s when a Montreal sportswriter nicknamed him "Boom Boom," for the thundering sound of Geoffrion's slap shot against the boards.
The innovation of lighter and more flexible sticks make the slap shot a dangerous weapon in a player's arsenal. To date, the hardest slap shot on record was by Toronto Maple Leafs forward Chad Kilger, whose slapper clocked out at 106.6 mph during a team skills competition in 2006.
Stand On His Head
This phrase is a favorite among hockey commentators and analysts. It describes a succession of saves by a goaltender, usually on rebound shots, often when the netminder stacks the pads and appears to be nearly positioned on his head.
In the early years of the NHL, goalies were prohibited from falling to the ice to block a shot. It was in 1918 when NHL President Frank Calder changed the rules, allowing goalies to drop to the ice. In describing the rule change Calder said, "They could stand on their head, if they want to."
Playoff Beard
A postseason superstition among athletes in all sports, the playoff beard started in the 1980s during the dynasty years of the New York Islanders. Sporting their Grizzly Adams-style beards, the Islanders won four consecutive Stanley Cups from 1980 to 1984. And the bristles went down in history.
Hardly a hairy situation, the Islanders set a record among all professional sports by winning 19 straight playoff series.
These days, the playoff beard is a rite of passage among professional athletes. Players grow the beard until their team either wins the championship or is eliminated from postseason play.
Notable playoff beards include Bret Hedican and Doug Weight of the 2006 Stanley Cup-winning Carolina Hurricanes. The American pair sported playoff beards that made Chuck Norris' look like peach fuzz.
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As a seasoned enthusiast deeply entrenched in the world of hockey, I can attest to the fascinating history and evolution of the sport's terminology. The article you've mentioned from USA Hockey Magazine sheds light on some iconic hockey terms, and I'm thrilled to elaborate on each concept with a wealth of knowledge and evidence.
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Hat Trick: The term "Hat Trick" has its roots in cricket, but its adoption into hockey lore is credited to Toronto businessman Sammy Taft in the 1930s and 40s. Taft would promote his hats by giving them to NHL players who scored three goals in a game. This tradition persists today, with fans showering the ice with hats after a player completes a hat trick. Some teams even donate these hats to local charities.
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Three Stars of the Game: The post-game ritual of announcing the "Three Stars of the Game" originated in the 1936-37 NHL season. A Canadian oil company used it as a promotional tool for its "Three Star" brand of gasoline. This tradition recognizes the top players of each game, with the stars skating onto the ice amid applause or boos, depending on the location. Historic instances, like Maurice Richard being all three stars in a game, add depth to this tradition.
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Lunch Pail Gang: Coined to describe hardworking, blue-collar players, the "Lunch Pail Gang" moniker became synonymous with the Boston Bruins of the 1970s, led by coach Don Cherry. These players, though often overlooked by fans, earned the appreciation of their teammates for consistently giving their best effort in every game.
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Slap Shot: The evolution of the slap shot is traced back to New York Rangers forward Alex Shibicky in 1937. However, it was Montreal Canadiens' Bernie Geoffrion who popularized the shot with a golf-swing style windup. The advent of lighter and more flexible sticks has turned the slap shot into a formidable weapon. Notably, Chad Kilger holds the record for the hardest slap shot at 106.6 mph in 2006.
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Stand On His Head: This phrase, commonly used by hockey commentators, describes a goaltender making a series of remarkable saves, often involving acrobatic maneuvers like stacking the pads. The origin of this expression dates back to 1918 when NHL President Frank Calder changed the rules, allowing goalies to drop to the ice, stating, "They could stand on their head if they want to."
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Playoff Beard: The playoff beard superstition, a common sight in various sports, originated in the 1980s with the New York Islanders during their dynasty years. The team's four consecutive Stanley Cup wins from 1980 to 1984 solidified the tradition. Players grow beards during the postseason, only shaving when their team is eliminated or wins the championship.
These fascinating insights into hockey terminology not only reflect the sport's rich history but also showcase the cultural and promotional influences that have shaped it over the years. It's a testament to the enduring traditions and quirks that make hockey a beloved and distinctive part of the sporting world.
