A hockey hat trick typically occurs when a player scores a goal, gets an assist on another’s goal, and then gets another goal or assists on a third player’s goal. The term dates back to the 20s and was first used in reference to hockey players wearing multiple hats. However, today it largely applies to the goal scorers of a hockey game who wear the coveted multi-colored sweaters on the ice. The sweater is often confused with the hat trick, leading to some interesting conversations with fans and other hockey players. Here are the reasons why they call it a hat trick in hockey.
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The Multi-Purpose Swatch
Hockey players have long been seen as brand ambassadors for their teams and companies. The popularity of the game and ability to showcase your school’s colors makes for a perfect marketing campaign. The sweater allows for easy identification of the player’s school and can even be used to promote a certain product. In today’s day and age when fans are bombarded with ads, having a hockey player wearing a specific brand’s gear is a great way to stand out.
Hat tricks in hockey are fairly common, with several players reaching this milestone during their careers. The most famous hockey hat trick was performed by Gordie Howe in 1960. The Hockey Hall of Famer accomplished the feat in a game against the Los Angeles Kings. He scored a goal, got an assist on a Wayne Gretzky goal, and then scored another goal, giving him five points in the game.
Howe is one of the all-time greats and is still actively playing at the age of 94. He holds the record for most games played by a Canadian in international competition, a record which he still holds. The fact that he is still playing at such a high level is a testament to his remarkable career and work ethic. Howe was not only a phenomenal athlete but a versatile player who could play centre or the wing. One of his greatest qualities was his ability to read the game and make quick, intelligent decisions with the puck. The fact that he could play in a variety of positions demonstrates his great hockey IQ.
The Popularity Of The Game
While attending a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals in 2017, I overheard a number of fans confusing the sweater with the hat trick. Many were also under the impression that wearing a white hockey jersey during the regular season was the same as wearing a hat trick. Fortunately, most hockey fans know the difference between the two, which allows them to have an intelligent conversation about the sport.
The popularity of the game has steadily increased since its inception in the 19th century. The sport is now firmly established in the United States, Canada, and around the world. Perhaps the greatest indicator of the game’s growing popularity is the amount of people playing and participating in hockey across all age groups. There are now over 300 million people playing some form of hockey around the world, demonstrating the growth of the sport internationally.
The Marketing Platform
The fact that so many people are playing and watching hockey creates a massive marketing platform for businesses, schools, and teams. With so many potential customers, parents, students, and fans, it is easy for brands to reach out to this audience with targeted marketing campaigns. The marketing potential alone of having a professional hockey player wearing your product is huge.
Hockey is a highly popular sport with an incredibly engaged audience. Having a professional hockey player represent your brand on and off the ice will put your brand in front of millions of passionate fans.
The Ability To Spotlight Players
As mentioned above, the marketing potential of having a professional hockey player wear your brand is incredible. The fact that they are in the public eye makes it easy for brands to gain support from these celebrities, even if it is for a product they have never tried before. Professional athletes can be seen as modern day celebrities, and having one sport on the rise provides an opportunity for other sports to follow.
The History Of The Term
Hockey players have been wearing several different hats throughout the years. For a long time, the most recognizable hat in hockey was the flat cap. These were all white, with some teams opting for the shade tree while others went with the knit hat. In the 1920s and ’30s, the stocking hat became common. These were light colored with red and blue being the most popular choices. Finally, in the 1940s, the rolled brim became popular. During this period, the color of the hat was limited to white, black, tan, or brown.
The rolled brim made the game look more professional, with players wearing them out on the town during the day. This is probably why they are often associated with athletes and executives today. The term “hat trick” was first used in reference to hockey players wearing multiple hats in the 1920s. The number of hats the player wore determined how many points they would earn in that game. Back in the day, players would often wear a hat for every period of the game, with the first period being the shortest. When a player reached the three-point threshold, they would then be able to pull off what is now recognized as a traditional ‘hat trick’ – scoring a goal, getting an assist on another’s goal, and then scoring another goal. This is how the term ‘hat trick’ came about. Once a player reached the three-point threshold, it was common to see them pull off a second consecutive hat trick in the same game. This accomplishment was called a ‘quadruple hat trick’ and earned the player an extra 25 points! The fact that the game only lasted for three periods at the time made it necessary for players to change hats between periods. After the third period, the players would resume wearing what they wore at the end of the second period, with the exception of the goalie, who would always be wearing the mask. This is why the goalie’s mask is considered one of the most important parts of the helmet – it keeps the face warm.
The Ability To Make A Statement
One of the main purposes of the hat trick is to make a statement. In the example above, the player is wearing three different hats to make a political statement. Wearing a yellow hat during the summer is a way to let the world know you are a proud supporter of the Labour Party, whereas wearing a grey one in winter is a way to show your allegiance to the Conservative Party. These are your unequivocal statements to the world, and wearing them is an easy way to make a political statement without saying a word.
The Popularity Of The Multi-Colored Sweater
The fact that so many people are playing and watching hockey opens up the possibility for everyone to wear what they want. The multi-colored sweaters are a great way to show off your school’s colors and spirit, with many fans identifying them as a mark of athletic achievement. For instance, the men’s Princeton Tigers baseball team has been known to wear orange and black as their team colors since 1869. You will often see fans at baseball games wearing these colors combination, much to the confusion of non-baseball fans who think they are wearing a hat trick.
The Ability To Be A Brand Ambassador
Athletes are often called upon to be brand ambassadors for their teams and sponsors. The fact that they work hard for their team and put their body on the line for their country makes them perfect ambassadors for certain brands. The ability for a brand to have a celebrity representative is invaluable, with the potential to bring in new customers and create word of mouth marketing. In the example above, the player is representing Nike and the Swoosh logo is on the front of his shirt. When a player is seen as a brand ambassador, it is often assumed that they will be wearing the sponsor’s logo on their gear. However, in some cases it is not necessary to have a logo on the jersey to be considered a brand ambassador. A brand ambassador can be anyone associated with a company or brand, whether they are working directly with customers or not. The most effective way to show your support for a brand is by being the face of that brand, whether you are working directly with customers or not.
The Status Symbol
Hockey players are often the focus of much public attention, especially when they score a goal. The fact that they are highly skilled athletes makes them easy to recognize on the field. However, the fact that they can wear what they want and switch teams at the end of the season makes them even more attractive to women and men who admire a powerful and independent woman (or man!)