Ice hockey may have more traditions and superstitions than any other sport. Some are league-wide rituals, such as the handshake line at the end of every playoff series, playoff beards, and each player on a Stanley Cup-winning team getting a day with the trophy. Others belong to fans, like throwing hats on the ice after a hat trick or the Detroit octopus. Many are deeply personal, such as how a player tapes a stick, the order they put on equipment, or refusing to touch a conference championship trophy. Together they give hockey much of its character and sense of history.
This article explains the best-known team and league traditions, fan rituals, player superstitions, goalie habits, the stories behind them, and a few myths.
Famous hockey traditions at a glance
| Tradition | What happens | Origin |
|---|---|---|
| Handshake line | Teams shake hands after a playoff series | A long-standing sign of respect after hard-fought series |
| Playoff beards | Players stop shaving during the playoffs | Often credited to the New York Islanders of the early 1980s |
| Day with the Stanley Cup | Each winning player and key staff get time with the trophy | Became a formal tradition in the mid-1990s |
| Names on the Cup | Winning players’ names are engraved on the Stanley Cup | One of the few trophies to carry players’ names |
| Hat trick hats | Fans throw hats on the ice after a player scores three goals | Popular since the mid-20th century |
| Detroit octopus | Fans throw an octopus on the ice during playoff games | Started in 1952, when eight wins were needed to win the Cup |
| Not touching conference trophies | Captains often avoid touching the conference championship trophy | A superstition that only the Stanley Cup should be lifted |
League and team traditions
The postseason handshake line is one of the most respected customs in sport. After a gruelling series, often full of physical battles, players line up and shake hands with their opponents. The Stanley Cup itself carries many traditions: players lift it overhead and skate with it, the captain usually lifts it first, and every winning player’s name is engraved on it. Since the 1990s, each member of the winning team has been given time with the Cup, which has led to it visiting hometowns, hospitals and celebrations around the world.
Fan traditions
When a player scores a hat trick, three goals in one game, fans throw hats onto the ice, which are collected and sometimes donated. In Detroit, the tradition of throwing an octopus dates back to 1952, when the eight legs symbolised the eight playoff wins then needed to win the Stanley Cup. Other teams have their own rituals, such as rally towels, chants and goal songs.
Player superstitions
- Stick taping rituals: taping sticks the same way before every game.
- Equipment order: putting on gear in a fixed order, often left before right.
- Pre-game meals: eating the same food on game days.
- Warm-up routines: taking the same number of shots or laps.
- Avoiding certain words: not mentioning a goalie’s shutout while it is in progress.
Goalie habits
Goalies are known for especially elaborate rituals. Some talk to their goalposts, tap them with their stick before periods, or follow strict routines on and off the ice. Many avoid stepping on lines, such as the blue line or the crease line, when entering or leaving the ice. These habits help goalies stay focused in a position where one mistake can decide a game.
Why traditions matter
Traditions connect current players and fans with the sport’s history. They create shared experiences, build team identity, and help players manage pressure through familiar routines. Even players who say they are not superstitious often keep small rituals because they help them feel prepared and calm.
Traditions and their origin stories are often passed on informally, so accounts can vary. League rules govern items thrown on the ice, and throwing objects can lead to penalties or removal from the arena, so fans should follow venue policies.
Common myths
- Every team shakes hands after regular-season games: the handshake line is mainly a playoff tradition.
- Players are required to grow beards: playoff beards are voluntary.
- Touching the conference trophy guarantees a loss: it is a superstition, and some captains have touched it and still won.
On-ice and dressing-room customs
Many traditions happen away from the cameras, in the dressing room or during warm-ups. They are less famous than the handshake line, but players take them just as seriously.
| Custom | What happens |
|---|---|
| Stick taps | Players tap their sticks on the ice or boards to applaud a teammate, an opponent or a milestone |
| Goalie leads the team out | On many teams, the starting goalie is the first player onto the ice |
| Tapping the goalie’s pads | Skaters tap the goalie’s pads with their sticks after warm-ups or before the opening faceoff |
| Not stepping on the logo | Many teams have a rule that nobody walks on the team logo in the dressing room |
| Retired numbers | Teams raise banners to honour great players, and the NHL retired Wayne Gretzky’s number 99 league-wide in 2000 |
Outdoor games and the pond hockey spirit
Hockey’s roots are on frozen ponds and outdoor rinks, and many traditions celebrate that history. The NHL holds outdoor games such as the Winter Classic, first played in 2008, which draw huge crowds and often feature throwback uniforms. At grassroots level, outdoor rinks and pond hockey tournaments remain a winter ritual in Canada, the northern United States and northern Europe, where families play on community rinks each winter.
How to take part as a fan
- Learn your team’s traditions before your first game so you know when to join in.
- Follow arena rules on throwing items, since many venues fine or eject fans for throwing objects onto the ice.
- Stand for the anthems and join in with respect for both teams.
- Applaud good play from either side, especially at the handshake line.
Traditions in the women’s and international game
Hockey’s traditions are not limited to the NHL. Women’s professional and international teams share many of the same customs, including stick taps, the handshake line and celebrating milestones with teammates. International tournaments add rituals of their own, such as playing the winning team’s national anthem after each game while both teams stand on their blue lines, a standard part of IIHF events. These shared customs help connect players and fans across leagues and countries.
Frequently asked questions
Why do hockey fans throw hats on the ice?
To celebrate a player scoring a hat trick, three goals in one game.
Why do Detroit fans throw octopuses?
The tradition began in 1952, when an octopus’s eight legs represented the eight playoff wins needed to win the Stanley Cup.
What is the playoff beard?
A tradition where players stop shaving during the playoffs until their team is eliminated or wins.
