Hockey players have built Hall of Fame careers on the strangest pregame rituals imaginable.
From forced vomiting to conversations with inanimate objects, NHL superstitions push the boundaries of normal behavior completely.
These bizarre habits might seem unnecessary to outsiders, but the players who practice them swear these routines unlock their best performance on ice. The proof lies in championship rings and trophy cases filled with hardware.
Let’s explore the weirdest superstitions that somehow delivered real results.
Patrick Roy Talked to his Goalposts During Games
The legendary goaltender held full conversations with the metal posts protecting his net.
Roy believed his goalposts had consciousness and could affect his performance. He thanked them after good saves and encouraged them throughout matches. The four-time Stanley Cup winner treated the posts like teammates who needed motivation.
His relationship with the goalposts became as iconic as his butterfly style. Roy credited these conversations for keeping him focused and connected to his team. The psychological edge helped him become one of hockey’s all-time greats.
Glenn Hall Vomited Before Every Single Game
Hall of Fame goalie Glenn Hall forced himself to throw up before games for his entire career.
Hall felt physically sick before each match, starting in his junior league days. The anxiety never disappeared even after he became one of hockey’s greatest netminders. He believed vomiting helped him reach peak mental preparation.
He vomited in the locker room before games. Hall played 502 consecutive complete games without missing a single minute, all without wearing a mask. His ritual clearly worked for him despite how extreme it seemed.
Wayne Gretzky Followed a Precise Beverage Routine
The Great One drank specific beverages in exact order between every period.
Gretzky consumed Diet Coke, ice water, Gatorade, and then another Diet Coke in that sequence throughout his career. He never deviated from this pattern regardless of game circumstances. The routine helped him maintain rhythm and mental focus.
He also applied baby powder to his hockey sticks before games. These small rituals created consistency in an unpredictable sport. Gretzky won four Stanley Cups and scored 2857 career points following these habits religiously.
Sidney Crosby Obsesses Over Stick Tape and Timing
The Pittsburgh captain maintains impossibly strict equipment and schedule rituals.
Crosby cuts each stick to a specific length and tapes them in exact patterns. Nobody can touch his sticks once taped, or he completely redoes them. He sets up in his locker at the same time daily.
He eats a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at 5 p.m. sharp before every game. Crosby takes the long route, avoiding the visitors’ locker room, and shares a special handshake with Evgeni Malkin. His perfectionism extends far beyond the ice surface.
William Nylander Wore the Same Lucky Suit Repeatedly
Players develop attachments to clothing items during winning streaks.
William Nylander wore the same pregame suit for three consecutive games during the 2025 playoffs. He scored in all three games while wearing the identical outfit. Players refuse to wash lucky jerseys or change successful equipment.
Some athletes keep gloves, helmets, or skates far longer than practical purely for superstition. Hockey sticks receive special treatment, including kissing the blade or talking to new sticks. The belief in lucky equipment runs deep across the league.
Detroit Fans Throw Octopuses for Good Luck
Red Wings supporters hurl eight tentacled creatures onto the ice during crucial games.
Brothers Pete and Jerry Cusimano threw the first octopus on April 15, 1952, at Olympia Stadium. The eight arms symbolized the eight playoff wins needed for the Stanley Cup at that time. Detroit won that game and the championship.
Fans threw 36 octopuses during one 1995 playoff game including one weighing 38 pounds. The tradition continues today with specific etiquette rules. Octopuses must be boiled so they don’t stick to ice and thrown after goals or the anthem.
Phil Esposito Wore Black Under his Bruins Jersey
The Hall of Famer added unusual undergarments for a simple reason.
Esposito wore a black turtleneck dickey with a high neck under his uniform. He first wore it during a game against Toronto because he had a cold. The Bruins’ star scored three goals that night.
He continued wearing the black undergarment for the rest of his career. One successful game created a lifelong ritual he never abandoned. The superstition became part of his identity as a player, and his success validated it.
Playoff Beards Unite Entire Teams in Shared Ritual
Players refuse to shave throughout the postseason, creating distinctive facial hair.
The New York Islanders started the tradition during their four consecutive Stanley Cup victories in the 1980s. Every playoff team now participates in growing beards until elimination. The ritual creates visible team unity and commitment.
Fans have pushed for playoff beards to become a feature in EA Sports NHL video games. The tradition represents sacrifice and superstition combined into one visible statement. Players believe the beards channel winning energy through shared appearance.
TL;DR
- Glenn Hall vomited before games throughout his 502 consecutive game streak.
- Patrick Roy talked to the goalposts, believing they affected his performance.
- Wayne Gretzky drank beverages in exact order and applied baby powder to sticks.
- Sidney Crosby follows strict timing schedules, including 5 p.m. peanut butter sandwiches.
- Playoff beards started with the 1980s Islanders, and now every team participates.
- Detroit fans throw octopuses, dating back to 1952, symbolizing eight playoff wins.
- Players develop attachments to lucky clothing and equipment during winning streaks.
- Phil Esposito wore a black turtleneck under jersey after scoring three goals with it.
Read More:
- Greatest Goaltenders In NHL History
- The Truth About NHL Home Ice Advantage
- Craziest Overtime Moments in NHL History
This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
