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A hat trick in hockey is when a player scores three goals in one game. For a player to earn a hat trick, all three goals must be scored in regulation or overtime (a shootout goal does not count).
Table of Contents
- Throwing Your Hat
- FAQ
Throwing Your Hat
It is a tradition in hockey that when a player scores a hat trick, many fans will throw their hats onto the ice to celebrate.
This tradition began in 1946 when Chicago Blackhawks forward Alex Kaleta made a bet with Sammy Taft, a local store owner in Toronto, that if he scored three goals in the game that evening, the owner would give him a free hat. That night, Kaleta scored three goals and earned his complimentary hat from Taft. From that game on, Taft began offering any Toronto Maple Leaf player a free hat if they could score three goals in a game.The tradition lives on today, as the ice will be littered with hats when a player scores a hat trick in arenas around the world.
FAQ
What is a natural hat trick in hockey?
A natural hat trick in hockey is when a player scores three goals in a row in a game without any other goals being scored in between.If a player scores three goals in a single game but the goals are not scored in succession, then it is a regular hat trick.
Who has the most hat tricks in NHL history?
Wayne Gretzky is the NHL record holder for the most hat tricks. During his time in the NHL from 1979 to 1999, Gretzky recorded 50 hat tricks. He also holds the record for the most hat tricks in a single season, with ten hat tricks in the 1983-84 season. After Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Mike Bossy rank second and third with 40 and 39 hat tricks in their careers.
How rare is a hat trick in hockey?
A hat trick in hockey is not necessarily rare but does not occur every game.If you attend a game with a hat trick, it can be seen as a special occasion. In the 2017-2018 season, 81 total hat tricks were recorded, which translates to about 6.37% of games with a hat trick. In the 2016-17 season, there were hat tricks in 4.60% of the games, with a total of 59 hat tricks that season.
What is scoring 4 goals in hockey called?
Scoring four goals in a hockey game is much less common than a hat trick. If a player scores four goals in a single game, it is sometimes referred to as a “Texas hat trick.”This term is less commonly used than a hat trick, and its origins are uncertain. Some consider the phrase to be because “everything’s bigger in Texas,” and four goals is greater than three.
What is a Gordie Howe hat trick?
A Gordie Howe hat trick is achieved when a player gets a goal, an assist, and gets in a fight, all within the same game. It is named after NHL legend Gordie Howe, who was known for his grit, skill, and competitive spirit. Gordie Howe hat tricks are even rarer than conventional hat tricks and only happen a handful of times each season.
