The Ultimate Hockey Hat Trick Guide: 5 Types, Legendary Records, And The Shocking Origin

The hockey hat trick is arguably the most electrifying and revered single-game achievement in the sport, instantly transforming a simple game into a moment of pure spectacle. As of December 12, 2025, this scoring feat remains the gold standard for offensive dominance, signifying a player’s ability to completely take over a game and deliver three separate goals in a single contest. The tradition that accompanies it—fans showering the ice with hats—is one of the most unique and spontaneous celebrations in all of professional sports.

While the basic concept is straightforward—three goals by one player—the world of ice hockey, particularly the NHL, has evolved this term into several distinct variations, each carrying its own level of difficulty and prestige. From the incredibly rare "Natural Hat Trick" to the completely different "Gordie Howe Hat Trick," understanding the nuances of this milestone is essential for any devoted fan looking to fully appreciate the game's rich history and current legends like Zach Hyman and Alex Ovechkin who continue to chase the all-time records.

The Definitive Breakdown: What is a Hockey Hat Trick?

At its core, a hockey hat trick is achieved when a single player scores three goals during the course of one game. This is a non-negotiable definition that applies across all major leagues, including the NHL, AHL, and international competitions. It is an individual scoring milestone that completely excludes goals scored during a penalty shootout, as those are considered separate from the official game score and are not credited as goals in a player's statistics.

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The Iconic "Hats on the Ice" Tradition

The most recognizable part of the hat trick is the spontaneous and chaotic tradition of fans throwing their hats onto the ice immediately after the third goal is scored. This ritual is believed to have cemented its place in hockey culture during the 1950s, though the term itself has a much older, and surprising, origin. The act of tossing a hat is a sign of ultimate respect and celebration for the player's incredible performance. The team's equipment staff then typically collects the hats, with some teams displaying them or donating them to charity.

The significance of the hat trick lies in its difficulty. Scoring a single goal against a professional goaltender is a challenge, but managing to beat them three times in 60 minutes of high-speed play requires a combination of skill, luck, and perfect positioning. The player who achieves this feat is often the difference-maker in the game, showcasing elite offensive talent.

Unpacking the Three Main Types of Hat Tricks

While the standard definition of three goals is the most common, the term has been expanded to include specific variations that add layers of prestige and complexity. These are the three types of hat tricks recognized in the hockey world, each with a unique requirement.

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1. The Regular Hat Trick

This is the standard definition: three goals scored by one player in a single game. The goals do not need to be consecutive, nor do they need to be scored in the same period. For example, a player could score their first goal in the first period, their second in the third period, and their third in overtime. The key is simply that the player's name is credited with three Goals (G) on the scoresheet by the final buzzer.

2. The Natural Hat Trick

The Natural Hat Trick is considered a much rarer and more difficult achievement. It occurs when a single player scores three goals *consecutively* without any other player from either team scoring in between. This means the player must score the third goal of the hat trick immediately following their second goal, which must have immediately followed their first goal. It is a true demonstration of a player's ability to dominate the flow of the game for a sustained period, often turning the tide of a match single-handedly.

3. The Gordie Howe Hat Trick

This is the ultimate anomaly in hat trick terminology, as it has nothing to do with scoring three goals. Named after the legendary "Mr. Hockey," Gordie Howe, this feat is achieved when a player records three different statistical categories in a single game: a goal, an assist, and a fight. It is a testament to the player's all-around game, combining the finesse of scoring with the ruggedness of a physical confrontation. While not an official scoring record, it is a highly celebrated milestone that honors the tough, multi-faceted style of play embodied by Howe.

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The Legends and Unbreakable NHL Hat Trick Records

The hat trick is a metric used to separate the elite goal-scorers from the rest of the league. The all-time records are dominated by the most famous names in hockey history, whose careers spanned decades of goal-scoring prowess.

• Most Career Hat Tricks: The undisputed champion is Wayne Gretzky, who retired with an astonishing 50 career hat tricks. Gretzky, whose career included stints with the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers, set a record that is widely considered unbreakable in the modern era.
• Most Hat Tricks in a Single Season: Again, Wayne Gretzky holds this record, accomplishing the feat twice by scoring 10 hat tricks in both the 1981-82 and 1983-84 seasons.
• The Next Tier: Following Gretzky are other legendary names: Mario Lemieux (40 career hat tricks), Mike Bossy (39), and the modern great Alex Ovechkin (currently tied for 4th all-time with 33, alongside Brett Hull). The presence of these entities highlights the sustained excellence required to achieve such high numbers.

Recent and Notable Hat Tricks

The tradition continues to thrive with current NHL stars. Recent examples demonstrate the ongoing excitement and rarity of the achievement:

• Alex Ovechkin recently made history by becoming one of the few players to record a hat trick after turning 40, showcasing his longevity and elite scoring touch.
• Young players like Seth Jarvis and Simon Nemec have recently recorded their first or second career hat tricks, with Nemec even making history by scoring an overtime hat trick.
• Other contemporary stars like Zach Hyman, Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini, and Jack Hughes are frequently mentioned in discussions about recent hat trick achievements, keeping the tradition fresh and exciting for a new generation of fans.

The Surprising History and Origin of the Term

While the term is synonymous with ice hockey, its origin actually predates the sport and has a surprising connection to an entirely different game: cricket.

The term "hat trick" is believed to have originated in 1858 in England. A cricket bowler named H.H. Stephenson managed to take three wickets with three consecutive deliveries. As a reward for this extraordinary feat, the fans held a collection and bought him a new hat. This story established the term as a reward for achieving three consecutive successes in a sporting contest.

The phrase was later adopted by the hockey world, with early mentions appearing in newspapers in the 1930s and 1940s. The most popular origin story tied directly to hockey involves Alex Kaleta, a winger for the Chicago Blackhawks. In January 1944, a hat store owner promised Kaleta a free hat if he scored three goals against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Kaleta succeeded, securing the free hat and cementing the link between the three-goal achievement and the headwear. The tradition of fans throwing their own hats followed soon after, creating the spectacle we know and love today.

The hockey hat trick is more than just a statistical footnote; it is a moment of pure, unadulterated excitement that connects the modern NHL to its deep, storied past. Whether it’s a regular hat trick, a natty hatty, or the rugged Gordie Howe variation, the three-goal achievement remains one of the most celebrated and memorable events a player can experience on the ice.