What is a 'hat trick' in hockey?

Answer 1

3 Goals by a player during the game, even if the game goes into overtime.

Answer 2

Okay - so a hat trick is 3 goals in a game by one player simple as that. It is refered to as a hat trick because after it happens it is tradition to throw hats onto the ice following the 3rd goal.

I want to clarify a few mistakes made by previous users which may be misleading.

First a natural hat-trick is 3 goals in a row by a player without anyone else scoring in between. However this feat does NOT have to be accomplished in one period, it can happen over the course of the game.

Second, hockey games can no longer end in ties.
After a period of OT, there is a shootout now in place to determine a winner. Goals scored in the shootout are not counted as official goals. With that said, if a player has 2 goals going into the shootout and then scores in the shootout this is NOT a hat trick.

Finally, i want to add that their is also something known as a Goride Howe hat-trick. It's not a technical term, but it is when one scores a goal, gets an assist and is declared the winner of a fight (fight winners is not an official stat).

-- Thank you.

Answer 3

Three goal done by a player in a match is called Hat Trick in Hockey

Answer 4

When one player scores 3 goals in a game (including overtime).

A few other things. A natural hat trick is scoring all goals against the goalie. If the net is empty when any of the goals are scored it's consider unnatural (unlike what is mentioned in previous answers).

There is something else called a "Gordie Howe hat trick." That's scoring 1 goal, 1 assist and getting a 5 minute fighting major all in the same game.

Answer 5

A hat trick is when a player scores 3 goals for his team in one game.
A NATURAL hat trick is credited to a player when he (or she) scores 3 goals in 1 period of hockey (as opposed to taking all 3 periods to perform the same feat).
The "HAT" trick is called such due to local hat makers sponsoring local teams. If a young "gentleman" was to score a hat-trick, they would receive an expensive felt top-hat. Some claim this began in New York, Others claim it originally happened in Ontario... you pick :)
Soccer and cricket also have "hat tricks" as well, and the history is related, though the scoring and time-allowed is obviously different.
After local hat makers ceased their sponsorship fans insisted on the players receiving hats for a hat-trick and would reward such all-stars by throwing their own hats onto the ice as donations.
This tradition is still followed in Major-Minor league (aka WHL/CHL) and Major League (NHL) hockey, though the standing "ediquitte" for players who receive more than 1 hat "donation" is to look over the ones collected, select one, and donate the rest to a local charity.

Answer 6

a hat trick is when a player in a game scores 3 goals

Answer 7

a hat trick is when the same player scores 3 goals in a row, a natural hat trick is when the same player scores 3 goals in a row without anybody else scoring. when this happens every one in the rink throws there hat on the ice.

Answer 8

A hat trick is when a player scores 3 goals. It used to be tradition that when a player got a hat trick that you would throw your hat on the ice (completely optional of course).

Answer 9

In hockey, a game of power, finesse and speed played on ice, scoring goals are a priority item. A team is awarded a goal when a player shoots the puck past the opposition's goalie and into the goal. The goal itself, often referred to simply as the "net," measures four feet tall (1.22 meters) and six feet wide (1.83 meters). If someone scores a "hat trick" in hockey, it means that a player has scored three goals in one game.

The team with the most goals at the end of a hockey game is declared the winner. Hockey is one of the few sports that allows a game to end in a tie. Scoring one goal in a game of hockey is an admirable feat; scoring three goals in a hockey games is a rarity. Many players go their entire career without even coming close to scoring a hat trick. Hockey statisticians keep track of both team and individual highlights during a season. For one scored goal, a statistician will award a player one point. The player who passes the puck to a player who scores is awarded an "assist" by the stat man and also receives a point. While assists are a vital part of hockey and carry the exact same weight (one point) as a goal itself, assists are never taken into play when discussing a hat trick. A hat trick is based on goals alone.

When a player in the National Hockey League (NHL) scores a hat trick, the fans, as a custom, toss their hats or caps on to the ice as a sign of their appreciation and respect. It's their way of recognizing the rarity of this feat. Hall of famer Wayne Gretzsky, had fans tossing their hats to the ice many times during his storied 20-year career. Of the many NHL records Gretzsky owns, the fact that he scored 50 hat tricks from 1979-1999 may be the most amazing. Akin to the grand slam in baseball, a hat trick is a feat fans will not often witness, but when they do, they won't soon forget.

Answer 10

A hat trick is when a player scores 3 goals in one game

Answer 11

A hat trick is when one player scores 3 goals in one game.
:)