NHL players are tough, intense athletes—but even the most macho of the bunch have superstitions. Whether it’s a lucky suit or the proper way to lacing skates, these guys do anything to help them feel ready for the game. Sometimes these rituals are funny, sometimes they’re gross, and sometimes they’re downright weird. But for the sake of a win, the players will keep doing them. Here are 12 of the strangest superstitions that NHL players actually believe in.
Featured Image Credit: Patramansky /Depositphotos.com.
Don’t Touch the Conference Trophy
Some players believe that only the Stanley Cup should be touched. You shouldn’t touch conference trophies. Eric Lindros helped make that belief popular in the ’90s. Some players are strict about it, others are not. But it’s not good luck if you touch the “wrong” trophy.
Tying Skates in a Certain Order
Some players are superstitious about how they lace their skates. For example, they may always tie the left skate first, then the right—never the other way around. If they switch the order, they feel off the whole game.
Baby Powder on the Stick
Wayne Gretzky would sprinkle baby powder on the blade of his stick before games. It had no real purpose other than it was part of his routine. He said, “I take care of the tool that takes care of me.” A little weird, but when you’re The Great One, nobody cares.
Same Pre-Game Meal and Nap
Many players eat the exact same meal before every game. Matt Duchene claims he always eats pasta with salmon and takes a nap. Meanwhile, goaltender Scott Wedgewood has a ritual of tapping his stick and gear in a certain rhythm to keep himself focused. It’s all about being consistent.
Playoff Beards
This is one of the most famous hockey traditions. Players don’t shave during the playoffs. It started in the 1980s and stuck. The idea is to let your beard grow until your team gets knocked out… or wins the Cup. It’s a sign of unity and believing in the streak.
Lucky Outfit on the Bench
Did you know that William Nylander has a lucky brown suit that he wears during hot streaks? If he scores wearing it, he wears it again and again. It’s a style choice mixed with superstition. And yes, fans have noticed.
Chaotic Tunnel Rituals
Before games, some teams do wild rituals in the tunnel. In the Washington Capitals team, Alex Ovechkin and John Carlson are said to lead chants, make jokes, and yell about chicken parm. This may be chaotic but it cheers up the team!
Talking to the Goalposts
Patrick Roy, one of the best goalies in NHL history, had an odd habit. He talked to the goalposts. He would thank them before and during games when the puck hit the post instead of going in. Roy felt that the posts were on his side and “helped” him. This may sound silly but it helped him relax and focus.
Helmet Stitch Marks for Luck
Goalie Gerry Cheevers had a famous superstition: every time his mask got hit, he’d draw a stitch mark on it with a marker. Over time, it looked like a mask full of scars—and it became one of the most iconic looks in goalie history. It started as a joke but became a superstition and lucky charm.
Stick-Taping Rituals
Many players are fussy about how they tape their sticks. They’ll be picky about the color, the pattern and how tight it is. If it doesn’t feel right, they’ll redo it—or not use that stick at all. It’s part of their mental prep.
Talking to the Stick
Some players talk to their hockey sticks. They whisper to them or give them a little pep talk before hitting the ice—as if they’re asking for goals or good luck. It sounds silly, but for players, it helps them get into the zone.
Vomit Before Every Game
One of hockey’s all-time great goalies, Glenn Hall, had a unique pre-game ritual: he would throw up before every game. He believed it helped calm him down and get him focused. Sounds gross, but it worked for him!
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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