Hat Trick: History, Rules, and Records Across Global Sports
In the world of sports, few achievements carry as much prestige as the hat trick. While most commonly associated with scoring three goals in a single match, the term encompasses a variety of feats based on the number three across a wide array of competitive disciplines. From the cricket pitches of the 19th century to the high-speed rinks of the NHL, the hat trick remains a symbol of individual dominance and athletic excellence.
The Origins of the Hat Trick
The term originated in 1858 within the sport of cricket. It was coined to describe the feat of H. H. Stephenson, who managed to take three wickets with three consecutive deliveries. To honor this rare achievement, fans held a collection and presented Stephenson with a physical hat purchased with the proceeds. This event marked the birth of the phrase, which first appeared in print in the Chelmsford Chronicle in 1865.
Over time, the terminology migrated from cricket to other sports, including association football, ice hockey, rugby, water polo, Formula 1 racing, and even competitive video games like Counter-Strike.
Hat Tricks in Association Football
In association football (soccer), a hat trick occurs when a player scores three goals in a single game. For comparison, scoring two goals in a match is referred to as a brace. According to official record-keeping, goals scored during regulation time and extra time count toward the tally, but goals scored during a penalty shootout are excluded.
Notable Football Records
- Fastest Hat Trick: Alex Torr set a record in a 2013 Sunday league game, scoring three goals in just 70 seconds.
- Youngest Achievers: Ntinos Pontikas holds the record for the youngest player to score a hat trick at 14 years and 198 days old (1996). In the FIFA World Cup, Pelé holds the record, achieving the feat at age 17 in 1958.
- Career Leaders: German player Erwin Helmchen recorded 141 official hat tricks, while Pelé recorded 92.
World Cup Milestones
The first FIFA World Cup hat trick was scored by Bert Patenaude against Paraguay in 1930. Only three players have achieved a hat trick in a World Cup final: Geoff Hurst (1966), Carli Lloyd (2015), and Kylian Mbappé (2022). While Carli Lloyd's hat trick was the fastest from kick-off (16 minutes), the fastest overall World Cup hat trick (measured by time between goals) was scored by Switzerland's Fabienne Humm in 2015.
The Tradition in Ice Hockey
In ice hockey, a hat trick is achieved when a player scores three goals in one game. This sport is famous for the tradition of fans throwing their hats onto the ice to celebrate the achievement. This practice began around the 1950s, with legends suggesting that hatmakers in cities like Toronto, Montreal, or Guelph offered free hats to players who reached the milestone.
One documented instance occurred in 1946 with the Guelph Biltmore Mad Hatters; players who scored three goals were awarded a new Biltmore fedora.
Hockey Variations
- Natural Hat Trick: Occurs when a player scores three consecutive goals without any other player from either team scoring in between. Bill Mosienko holds the NHL record for the fastest natural hat trick at 21 seconds (1952).
- Gordie Howe Hat Trick: A tongue-in-cheek achievement consisting of one goal, one assist, and one fight in a single game. Rick Tocchet holds the record for the most Gordie Howe hat tricks with 18.
- Rat Trick: A term coined by the Florida Panthers in 1995 after captain Scott Mellanby killed a rat in the locker room and later scored a hat trick. Fans began throwing plastic rats on the ice, a practice eventually banned by the league due to game delays.
Hat Tricks in Other Sports
Gaelic Games and Rugby
In Gaelic football, a hat trick can refer to either goals or points. Notable feats include Jack McCaffrey's "classic hat trick" of points in 2019, scored using his fist and both feet. In rugby league, players like Ken Irvine, Frank Burge, and Alex Johnston have each recorded 16 hat tricks in Australian first grade.
Other Disciplines
The term is also used in handball and water polo when a player scores three times in a game. In baseball, while not a standard term, fans have mirrored the hockey tradition; for example, Toronto Blue Jays fans threw hats on the field to celebrate Edwin Encarnación's three home runs on August 29, 2015.
Key Facts
- Origin: Started in cricket (1858) when H.H. Stephenson took three wickets in three balls.
- NHL Record: Wayne Gretzky holds the record for the most career hat tricks with 50.
- Football Speed: The fastest recorded football hat trick took only 70 seconds.
- World Cup Finals: Only three players (Hurst, Lloyd, Mbappé) have scored hat tricks in a World Cup final.
- Hockey Tradition: The practice of throwing hats on ice likely began in the 1950s.
| Sport | Type/Record | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Cricket | Original Feat | 3 wickets in 3 consecutive deliveries |
| Association Football | Fastest (Overall) | 70 seconds (Alex Torr) |
| Ice Hockey | Natural Hat Trick | 3 consecutive goals without interruption |
| Ice Hockey | Gordie Howe | 1 goal, 1 assist, 1 fight |
| NHL | Career Leader | Wayne Gretzky (50) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a hat trick and a brace?
In association football, a hat trick is the achievement of scoring three goals in a single match, whereas a brace refers to scoring two goals.
What is a natural hat trick in hockey?
A natural hat trick occurs when a player scores three goals in a row without any other player from either team scoring a goal in between those three.
Do penalty shootout goals count toward a hat trick in soccer?
No. According to official record-keeping rules, goals scored during a penalty shootout are excluded from the tally; only goals scored during regulation and extra time count.
Why do hockey fans throw hats on the ice?
The tradition is believed to have started in the 1950s, possibly linked to hatmakers in Canadian cities who gave free hats to players who scored three goals in a game.
What is a Gordie Howe hat trick?
It is a non-traditional feat in ice hockey where a player records a goal, an assist, and is involved in a fight all within the same game.