The Unofficial Hat Trick: 5 Things You Didn't Know About The Gordie Howe Hat Trick (And Who Holds The REAL Record)
The "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" stands as one of the most iconic, yet statistically unofficial, accomplishments in professional ice hockey, symbolizing the rare combination of skill, playmaking, and toughness required to dominate the sport. As of this writing in late 2024, the feat—defined by a player registering a goal, an assist, and a fight in a single game—continues to capture the imagination of fans, celebrating the legendary duality of its namesake, Mr. Hockey himself.
Despite its enduring legacy, the most fascinating detail about the Gordie Howe Hat Trick is that the man it's named after achieved it only a handful of times in his illustrious career, making the true career leaders a surprising list of NHL legends and rugged players from different eras. The most recent examples, including a remarkable double-feat in October 2024, prove that this blend of artistry and aggression is still alive and well in the modern game.
Gordie Howe: The Legend Behind the Unofficial Stat
The Gordie Howe Hat Trick is a term of endearment and respect, but it is also a statistical anomaly, named for a player who embodied the spirit of the accomplishment more than he racked up the numbers. To understand the feat, you must first understand the man who inspired it.
Gordie Howe Biography and Profile
- Full Name: Gordon "Gordie" Howe
- Born: March 31, 1928, in Floral, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Died: June 10, 2016 (Age 88)
- Nickname: Mr. Hockey
- Primary Position: Right Wing
- NHL Career: 1946–1971; 1979–1980 (26 seasons in the NHL)
- Major Teams: Detroit Red Wings (1946–1971), Hartford Whalers (1979–1980)
- Major Awards & Honors:
- Stanley Cup Champion (4 times)
- Art Ross Trophy (NHL Scoring Leader) (6 times)
- Hart Memorial Trophy (NHL MVP) (6 times)
- NHL First All-Star Team (12 times)
- Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee (1972)
- Inaugural Recipient of the NHL Lifetime Achievement Award (2008)
Howe’s reputation was built on his scoring prowess—he was the NHL’s all-time leading scorer until Wayne Gretzky—but also on his sheer physical toughness and willingness to use his elbows and fists. This combination of skill and grit is precisely what the "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" celebrates, making him the perfect namesake, even if the statistics don't align with the title. He was known for his "Gordie Howe hat trick" long before the term was officially coined and tracked.
The Shocking Truth: How Many Gordie Howe Hat Tricks Did Mr. Hockey Have?
The most surprising piece of trivia about this iconic hockey milestone is that Gordie Howe himself officially recorded the feat only twice in his entire 1,767-game NHL career.
The first recorded Gordie Howe Hat Trick for Mr. Hockey was on October 10, 1953, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The second came over 16 years later, on March 21, 1969, against the Boston Bruins. The low number is largely due to the fact that the term was popularized later in his career, and official tracking of the specific combination of stats (goal, assist, fight) only became a common point of interest long after his prime. The feat is often attributed to him because of his reputation for being a complete player who could score, pass, and fight.
The All-Time Career Leaders: The Real "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" Kings
While Howe is the spiritual leader, other players have made the combination of scoring and fighting a more consistent part of their game. The players on this list are considered the ultimate power forwards and enforcers who could contribute on the scoreboard while also protecting their teammates.
The player widely credited with the most Gordie Howe Hat Tricks in NHL history is Rick Tocchet, a four-time All-Star who played 18 seasons and won a Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Top 5 Career Gordie Howe Hat Trick Leaders (Unofficial)
Although the NHL does not officially track this statistic, the generally accepted list of career leaders is dominated by players known for their combination of skill and toughness:
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- 1. Rick Tocchet: 18 Gordie Howe Hat Tricks
- T-2. Brendan Shanahan: 17 Gordie Howe Hat Tricks
- T-2. Brian Sutter: 17 Gordie Howe Hat Tricks
- 4. Wilf Paiement: 16 Gordie Howe Hat Tricks
- 5. Dale Hunter: 15 Gordie Howe Hat Tricks (Often cited near the top)
Other notable players with high totals include Hockey Hall of Famers Cam Neely (12) and Jarome Iginla (11), both of whom perfectly blended elite scoring ability with a feared physical edge.
Recent Gordie Howe Hat Tricks: The Feat in the Modern NHL
The Gordie Howe Hat Trick has become increasingly rare in the modern NHL. Rule changes and a general shift away from fighting have made the combination of a goal, an assist, and a fight a true statistical outlier. However, the tradition is not entirely gone, and the 2024-2025 NHL season provided a fantastic, fresh example that proves its enduring appeal.
A Rare Double-Feat in the 2024-2025 Season
On October 9, 2024, hockey fans were treated to a truly rare occurrence: two players recorded a Gordie Howe Hat Trick in the same game.
- Anthony Mantha (Calgary Flames): In his debut game with the Flames, Mantha scored a goal, added an assist, and dropped the gloves for a fight, securing his fourth career Gordie Howe Hat Trick.
- J.T. Miller (Vancouver Canucks): Playing in the same game, Miller also completed the trifecta of a goal, an assist, and a fight.
This simultaneous achievement highlights the unpredictable nature of the sport and the sheer luck—or destiny—required for the three distinct events to align for two players on the same night. The event serves as a perfect, current example of why the Gordie Howe Hat Trick remains one of hockey’s most celebrated unofficial milestones, rewarding the player who can truly do it all.
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