The Hat Trick: A Storied Tradition Returns for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games

The 2026 Milan Cortina Games men's hockey tournament is anticipated to feature hat tricks, a feat involving scoring three goals in a single game. This event will mark the return of National Hockey League (NHL) players after a 12-year absence, following a record number of hat tricks in the NHL in January.

The "hat trick" embodies a celebrated achievement across sports, with a rich history rooted in tradition and fan engagement that spans from cricket fields to hockey rinks.

Origin in Cricket

The term "hat trick" originated in cricket. It describes a bowler dismissing three batters with three successive balls, an achievement considered rare. In the 19th century, cricketers were sometimes awarded a hat for this accomplishment, as player pay was often supplemented with material prizes.

By 1874, "hat trick" became the common term, replacing alternatives like "hat feat" or "bowling a gallon." The practice of gifting hats in cricket, however, declined in the early 1900s.

Hat Tricks in Hockey

In hockey, a hat trick refers to a player scoring three or more goals in a single game. This achievement is often celebrated by spectators throwing their hats onto the rink.

The origin of the term in hockey is debated between two Canadian hat shops, Sammy Taft: World Famous Hatter and Henri Henri, both of which reportedly started gifting hats to players as a marketing strategy.

The tradition of fans throwing hats began gradually in the late 1940s and 1950s as hockey crowds grew. Initially, spectators could retrieve their hats after games. Henri Henri even distributed cards to be tucked into hats, helping owners identify their headwear.

Today, tossed hats are either given to the player who scored the hat trick or displayed in the arena.

The continuation of this tradition in hockey highlights the sport's reverence for its historical customs.