A Gordie Howe hat trick is when a hockey player scores a goal, records an assist, and gets into a fight all in the same game. It represents the ultimate combination of skill and physical toughness in ice hockey.
This rare feat honors one of the sport’s greatest legends. In this guide, I will break down everything you need to know about this unique hockey achievement.
You will learn the three components required, why it carries Gordie Howe’s name, and which players hold the all-time records.
Table of Contents
What Is a Gordie Howe Hat Trick?
A Gordie Howe hat trick requires three specific achievements in a single game: one goal, one assist, and one fight resulting in a five-minute major penalty.
The fight must be an actual altercation that draws a fighting major, not just a roughing minor or scrum. This distinguishes the Gordie Howe hat trick from standard offensive performances.
Unlike a regular hat trick, which celebrates three goals by one player, the Gordie Howe version emphasizes versatility. It honors players who contribute on both ends of the ice while showing physical dominance.
The Three Components Explained
1. The Goal: The player must score at least one goal during regulation or overtime. Shootout goals do not count toward a Gordie Howe hat trick.
2. The Assist: The player must register at least one primary or secondary assist on a teammate’s goal.
3. The Fight: The player must receive a five-minute major penalty for fighting. Roughing minors or misconduct penalties without a fight do not qualify.
Gordie Howe Hat Trick vs Regular Hat Trick
A standard hat trick requires three goals by one player in a single game. This focuses purely on offensive production.
The Gordie Howe hat trick demands a broader skill set. It combines scoring ability, playmaking, and physical intimidation in one performance.
Fans and analysts consider the Gordie Howe version more impressive due to its rarity. It captures the complete hockey player that Gordie Howe embodied throughout his career.
Origin and History of the Term
The term originated in the 1950s when New York sportswriters coined it to describe Gordie Howe’s versatile playing style. Howe dominated games through scoring, passing, and fierce physical play.
During the 2026 season, hockey journalists noticed Howe’s unique ability to impact every aspect of a game. They created the unofficial statistic to honor his all-around excellence.
The name stuck even though it carries an ironic twist. Gordie Howe himself only achieved two official Gordie Howe hat tricks during his 26-season NHL career.
The Misconception About Gordie Howe
Many fans assume Gordie Howe recorded dozens of Gordie Howe hat tricks given the name. The reality surprises most hockey historians.
Howe officially achieved only two Gordie Howe hat tricks during his entire NHL career. Both occurred in the 1950s when the statistic first gained attention.
The term honors his playing style and reputation rather than his statistical output. Howe fought rarely but effectively, preferring to dominate through skill and intimidation.
Mr. Hockey’s Legacy
Gordie Howe earned the nickname “Mr. Hockey” for good reason. He played professional hockey across six decades, from 1946 to 1980.
His combination of scoring prowess and physical strength defined the power forward position. Howe’s elbows became legendary weapons that discouraged opponents from targeting him or his teammates.
Although he recorded only two official Gordie Howe hat tricks, his influence on the statistic remains unmatched. The term celebrates the complete hockey player he represented.
Notable Records and All-Time Leaders
Rick Tocchet holds the NHL record for most career Gordie Howe hat tricks with 18. The former power forward played for six teams between 1984 and 2002.
Brendan Shanahan ranks second all-time with 17 Gordie Howe hat tricks. Like Tocchet, Shanahan excelled as a power forward who could score and fight.
Only 11 players in NHL history have recorded 10 or more Gordie Howe hat tricks. This highlights how rare the achievement remains even among elite players.
Top 10 All-Time Gordie Howe Hat Trick Leaders
Here are the players with the most career Gordie Howe hat tricks in NHL history:
1. Rick Tocchet – 18 GHTs (Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, Boston Bruins, Washington Capitals, Phoenix Coyotes)
2. Brendan Shanahan – 17 GHTs (New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers)
3. Wilf Paiement – 14 GHTs (Kansas City Scouts, Colorado Rockies, Toronto Maple Leafs, Quebec Nordiques, New York Rangers)
4. Chris Simon – 14 GHTs (Washington Capitals, Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, New York Islanders, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild)
5. Gary Roberts – 13 GHTs (Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning)
6. Owen Nolan – 12 GHTs (Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Minnesota Wild)
7. Kevin Dineen – 12 GHTs (Hartford Whalers, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers)
8. Keith Tkachuk – 12 GHTs (Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, Atlanta Thrashers)
9. Scott Mellanby – 11 GHTs (Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, Atlanta Thrashers)
10. Brian Sutter – 11 GHTs (St. Louis Blues)
Active Players to Watch
Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals has emerged as the modern leader in Gordie Howe hat tricks. He achieved one during the 2026 Winter Olympics, making it one of the most discussed recent examples.
Josh Manson recorded a memorable Gordie Howe hat trick that excited fans across hockey forums. His achievement shows the statistic still carries significance in today’s NHL.
Tyler Lewington accomplished a unique variation by scoring his first career goal, first career assist, and getting into his first career fight all in the same game. This debut Gordie Howe hat trick represents a career milestone few players achieve.
Rare Variations and Special Cases
Several extraordinary variations of the Gordie Howe hat trick exist. These special cases add fascinating layers to hockey’s most complete single-game achievement.
The Double Gordie Howe Hat Trick
A “Double Gordie” occurs when two opposing players each achieve a Gordie Howe hat trick in the same game. This represents one of hockey’s rarest statistical occurrences.
In 2026, J.T. Miller and Anthony Mantha accomplished a double Gordie during a Vancouver Canucks versus Washington Capitals matchup. Fans celebrated the historic achievement across social media and hockey forums.
Only a handful of double Gordie Howe hat tricks have occurred in NHL history. Each one becomes an instant classic among hockey trivia enthusiasts.
Career Firsts Variation
Some players achieve their Gordie Howe hat trick with career milestone components. Tyler Lewington recorded his first career goal, first career assist, and first career fight all in one game.
This variation adds extra significance to an already rare achievement. Players who accomplish this essentially announce their NHL arrival with a complete performance.
Consecutive Days Achievement
Recording Gordie Howe hat tricks on back-to-back days represents another ultra-rare feat. Only a few players in NHL history have accomplished this.
Brian Sutter and Rick Tocchet both recorded consecutive day Gordie Howe hat tricks during their careers. This demonstrates sustained dominance across multiple games.
Goalie Gordie Howe Hat Tricks
Goaltenders can technically achieve Gordie Howe hat tricks, though it remains extremely rare. The requirements stay the same: goal, assist, and fight.
A goalie Gordie Howe hat trick usually requires the goaltender to leave their net during an empty-net situation or score directly into an empty net. The assist and fight components add additional complexity.
Alex Nedeljkovic achieved a notable goalie Gordie Howe hat trick in the AHL before reaching the NHL. This rare occurrence generates significant discussion whenever it happens.
Women’s Hockey Milestone
Tereza Vanišová made history in February 2025 by recording the first-ever Gordie Howe hat trick in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL). She achieved this playing for the Ottawa Charge against Montreal.
This milestone marked a significant moment for women’s hockey visibility. It demonstrated that the PWHL features the same complete players and competitive intensity as the NHL.
Modern Context and Recent Examples
The Gordie Howe hat trick remains relevant in modern hockey despite evolving league dynamics. Fighting has decreased across the NHL, making each Gordie Howe hat trick more special.
Tom Wilson’s Olympic Gordie Howe hat trick during the 2026 Winter Games generated over 150 comments on Reddit alone. Fans appreciate the rarity and significance of the achievement.
How the Statistic Is Tracked Today
Modern analytics teams and hockey databases track Gordie Howe hat tricks as unofficial statistics. NHL.com and Hockey-Reference both record these achievements for historical purposes.
Fans can find complete lists of career Gordie Howe hat trick leaders through these sources. The data helps preserve this unique hockey tradition.
Shootout Clarification
One common misconception involves shootout goals. Shootout goals do not count toward Gordie Howe hat tricks.
The three components must occur during regulation time or overtime. Shootout statistics remain separate from official game scoring in this context.
This clarification matters because some fans initially thought Oliver Moore achieved a Gordie Howe hat trick when he scored in a shootout after recording a goal and assist in regulation. The shootout goal disqualified it from official status.
Cultural Significance
The Gordie Howe hat trick represents more than a statistical curiosity. It embodies the hockey ideal of the complete player who excels in every aspect of the game.
Coaches and scouts still seek players with this versatile skill set. Power forwards who can score, pass, and protect teammates remain valuable assets in 2026 and beyond.
FAQ
Who has the most Gordie Howe hat tricks in the NHL?
Rick Tocchet holds the NHL record with 18 career Gordie Howe hat tricks. Brendan Shanahan ranks second with 17, followed by Wilf Paiement and Chris Simon tied with 14 each. Only 11 players in NHL history have recorded 10 or more.
Why is it called a Gordie Howe hat trick?
New York sportswriters coined the term in the 1950s to honor Gordie Howe’s versatile playing style. The name stuck because Howe embodied the complete hockey player who could score, pass, and play physically. Ironically, Howe only achieved two official Gordie Howe hat tricks himself during his 26-season career.
Is a Gordie Howe hat trick rare?
Yes, Gordie Howe hat tricks are extremely rare. Most NHL players never achieve one in their entire career. Only a select group of power forwards and versatile players have recorded multiple GHTs, with just 11 players reaching double digits.
What is a double Gordie Howe hat trick?
A double Gordie Howe hat trick occurs when two opposing players each achieve a Gordie Howe hat trick in the same game. This happened recently in 2026 when J.T. Miller and Anthony Mantha accomplished the feat. Double Gordies are among the rarest statistical occurrences in NHL history.
Has a goalie ever had a Gordie Howe hat trick?
Yes, though extremely rare. Goalies must score a goal, record an assist, and get into a fight with a five-minute major penalty all in the same game. Alex Nedeljkovic notably achieved a goalie Gordie Howe hat trick in the AHL. The empty net usually plays a role in the goal component.
How many Gordie Howe hat tricks did Gordie Howe actually have?
Gordie Howe officially recorded only two Gordie Howe hat tricks during his entire NHL career. Both occurred in the 1950s. The term honors his playing style and reputation as the ultimate complete player, not his statistical output in this specific category.
Conclusion
A Gordie Howe hat trick represents hockey’s ultimate single-game achievement. It combines scoring skill, playmaking vision, and physical toughness in one complete performance.
Although Gordie Howe himself only recorded two official GHTs, his legacy lives on through this unique statistic. Rick Tocchet’s record of 18 remains the benchmark for power forwards and complete players.
Now you understand what is a gordie howe hat trick and why it matters to hockey fans and historians. The next time you see a player score, assist, and fight in the same game, you will witness one of the sport’s rarest accomplishments.