What is a Hat Trick In Hockey? (History, Stats & Records)
It is very exciting to watch a hockey match on the screen or in the stadium. If you are a new fan of hockey, you might see that fans throw their hats when a player shows an excellent performance during the game. For new fans, it can be confusing to see fans doing this, right?
The trick in which fans throw their hats on the ice is called the hat trick. When a player makes three goals in one game, the fans show their excitement and appreciation for the player by doing this trick. Although these types of activities are against safety regulations, this game allows for this.
Also, it doesn’t mean a player cannot make more scores. So, if you want to learn more about “what is hat trick in hockey”, keep reading it.
History Of The Hat Trick
How did this hat trick in hockey start? There are a lot of concepts about the hat trick’s history among many people and groups. According to one concept, the hat trick was invented in 1946 by Sammy Taft who was the proprietor of a men’s clothing business in Toronto.
He beat a hockey player, Alex Kaleta to make three scores in a single game. And in return, he will give him a free hat because he knows that Kaleta is not a good player. But he got four goals in a game and was awarded a hat by winning the bet.
After that, when a player scores three goals in one game, fans throw their hats on the ice as a celebration of the player. Many people think that after the player won the three goals, Taft continued the custom of giving away free hats to players.
No matter what is the origin, hat tricks have played a significant role in hockey games for over 50 years.
You can also read this article: Where Do NHL Players Come From?
How Often Does a Hat Trick Happen?
A hat trick during an NHL game is a challenging task. It doesn’t occur so commonly and it wouldn’t be considered an extraordinary performance. Also, getting a hat trick as a beginner is quite uncommon.
In one or two seasons, hat tricks occur 10-12 times in hockey. In the NHL, a hat trick appears on the programs about 5-6% of the time, according to the statistics.
Let’s examine the last three seasons to see when hat tricks occur.
| Season | Number of Hat Tricks | % of Games that have hat tricks |
| 2018-19 | 97 | 12.1% |
| 2017-18 | 81 | 6.37% |
| 2016-17 | 59 | 4.60% |
| 2015-16 | 67 | 5.20% |
What is a Natural Hat Trick?
Now you have a clear idea of what a hat trick is, right? So, you also must be aware of other types of hat tricks. The natural hat trick is another type of hat trick in hockey. When a player scores three goals in a row with no other goals made in between, the natural hat trick happens.
Although it is difficult to get three goals in a single game, getting three straight goals in one game is even more difficult. As compared to normal hat tricks, this type of hat trick is not popular.
Who Scored The Fastest Hat Trick?
When you talk about the fastest hat trick player, Bill Mosienko comes first in the row. On March 23, 1952, he made a record of getting three scores in 21 seconds against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden.
For his every three goals, Mosienko avoided the injured defenseman Hy Buller who was playing for New York. Within 26 seconds, he came back with four goals after hitting the post and beating the goaltender on a deke. This was a huge achievement that can never be matched.
When it comes to the second-fastest hat trick, Jean Beliveau earned his name in hockey. He made three scores in 44 seconds.
In 2018, Brayden Point of the Tampa Bay Lightning made the latest fast hat trick. He scored three goals in 91 seconds making an incredible achievement of modern times. In the history of the NHL, this is also known as an amazing hat trick.
You can also read this article: The Complete Guide To The First NHL Game Of Sidney Crosby
The Latest Stats on Hat Tricks
| RK | Players | Date | G | Score |
| 1 | Auston Matthews | 2016 | 4 | 4-5 |
| 2 | Pat Maroon | 2017 | 3 | 4-3 |
| 3 | Connor McDavid | 2018 | 3 | 4-2 |
| 4 | Sebastian Aho | 2019 | 3 | 6-3 |
| 5 | Jamie Benn | 2020 | 3 | 4-1 |
| 6 | Derick Brassard | 2021 | 3 | 5-1 |
| 7 | Michael Bunting | 2022 | 3 | 7-4 |
Who Has The Most Hat Tricks?
Below is the list of the players who made maximum hat tricks in different games of hockey. Let’s have a look at them:
| No. | Name of Players | Years | Hat Tricks |
| 1 | Wayne Gretzky | 1979-99 | 50 |
| 2 | Mario Lemieux | 1984-06 | 40 |
| 3 | Mike Bossy | 1977-87 | 39 |
| 4 | Brett Hull | 1986-06 | 33 |
| 5 | Phil Esposito | 1963-81 | 32 |
| 6 | Bobby Hull | 1957-80 | 28 |
| 7 | Marcel Dionne | 1971-89 | 28 |
| 8 | Maurice Richard | 1942-60 | 26 |
| 9 | Cy Denneny | 1917-29 | 25 |
| 10 | Jari Kurri | 1980-98 | 23 |
Most Hat Tricks in a Single Season
| Player | Season | Hat Tricks |
| Wayne Gretzky | 1983-84 | 10 |
| Mike Bossy | 1980-81 | 9 |
| Mario Lemieux | 1988-89 | 9 |
| Brett Hull | 1991-92 | 8 |
Leaders in Hat Tricks By Year
| Year | Player(s) | Hat Tricks |
| 2021-22 | Tyler Bertuzzi | 4 |
| 2020-21 | Connor McDavid | 3 |
| 2019-20 | Mike Hoffman | 3 |
| 2018-19 | Patrik Laine | 3 |
| 2017-18 | Alex DeBrincat, Alex Ovechkin, Connor McDavid | 3 |
| 2016-17 | Patrik Laine | 3 |
| 2015-16 | Zach Parise | 3 |
| 2014-15 | Corey Perry | 3 |
| 2013-14 | Max Pacioretty, Joe Pavelski, Tyler Seguin | 3 |
| 2012-13 | Nazem Kadri, Chris Kunitz, Alex Ovechkin | 2 |
| 2011-12 | Evgeni Malkin | 3 |
| 2010-11 | Alexander Semin, Drew Stafford | 4 |
| 2009-10 | Sidney Crosby | 3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gordie Howe’s Hat Trick?
A Gordie Howe hat trick occurs when a player accomplishes a goal, receives an assist, and has a fight in the same game. Because it stands for a player who can perform a full game, Gordie Howe was the motivation for players.
What happens with the Hats after Throwing Them?
The home team will gather dozens of hats scoring a hat trick. After the game, these caps are used for three different purposes. They can be given to the player who makes hat tricks, can be given to the fans, or can be given to a local charity.
Conclusion: What is a Hat Trick in Hockey?
In conclusion, based on some current best scorers’ lists and history I think that AnttiNiemi’s 2nd is the quickest natural hat trick ever. It’s a pity though, that he is not the natural hat trick player.
A hat trick is a feat in ice hockey that is achieved when a player scores three goals in a single game. The players and spectators throw hats usually into the air after each goal, in celebration. What other sports have you heard of that involve such an exciting and memorable celebration?
I hope that now you are fully aware of the phrase what is a hat trick in hockey? Write in the comments below and tell us about it!
