While most famously associated with ice hockey, the thrilling achievement known as a "hat trick" occurs in various sports around the world. At its core, a hat trick signifies a player accomplishing a specific feat three times, either consecutively or within the same game. This tradition, steeped in sporting lore, celebrates exceptional individual performance.
Sports Featuring Hat Tricks
The concept of a hat trick originated in cricket but has since been adopted by many other sports, often with slightly different interpretations of the achievement.
Ice Hockey
In ice hockey, a hat trick is achieved when a player scores three goals in a single game. This is arguably the most common and celebrated use of the term. Fans often throw their hats onto the ice to commemorate this rare feat, especially for the home team's players.
- Natural Hat Trick: When a player scores three consecutive goals without anyone else scoring in between.
- Gordie Howe Hat Trick: A less traditional term, this refers to a player recording a goal, an assist, and engaging in a fight in the same game. While not a "three scores" hat trick, it's a notable all-around performance.
For more details on hat tricks in hockey, you can explore resources from the National Hockey League (NHL).
Soccer (Football)
In soccer, a hat trick is earned when a player scores three goals in a single match. It's a significant accomplishment, highlighting a player's exceptional attacking prowess.
- Perfect Hat Trick: A more specific and rare achievement where a player scores one goal with their left foot, one with their right foot, and one with a header.
- Natural Hat Trick: Similar to hockey, this refers to three consecutive goals scored by the same player.
Learn more about soccer records and achievements on the FIFA website.
Cricket
The term "hat trick" is believed to have originated in cricket in 1858. In this sport, a hat trick occurs when a bowler takes three wickets with three consecutive deliveries (balls) in the same match. This is a highly challenging and celebrated achievement for a bowler.
Further information about cricket statistics can be found on the International Cricket Council (ICC) website.
Other Sports
Beyond these prominent examples, the hat trick concept extends to several other sports where a player scores three times within a game:
- Water Polo: A player scoring three goals in a single game.
- Lacrosse: A player scoring three goals in a single game.
- Handball: A player scoring three goals in a single game.
- Rugby: A player scoring three tries in a single match is often referred to as a hat trick.
- Baseball: While not as commonly used, hitting three home runs in a single game is sometimes humorously called a hat trick.
Summary of Hat Trick Sports
| Sport | Hat Trick Achievement |
|---|---|
| Ice Hockey | Three goals by one player in a single game. |
| Soccer | Three goals by one player in a single match. |
| Cricket | Three wickets by a bowler with three consecutive deliveries. |
| Water Polo | Three goals by one player in a single game. |
| Lacrosse | Three goals by one player in a single game. |
| Handball | Three goals by one player in a single game. |
| Rugby | Three tries by one player in a single match. |
| Baseball | (Informal) Three home runs by one player in a game. |
Origin of the Term
The term "hat trick" is widely believed to have originated in cricket in the mid-19th century. After bowler H.H. Stephenson took three consecutive wickets for the All-England Eleven against the Hallam XI in 1858, fans were so impressed that they held a collection and presented him with a new hat as an award. This tradition of recognizing outstanding achievement with a physical symbol, and later the term itself, eventually spread to other sports.
