We’ve all heard of players wearing the same dirty socks for each game, growing a beard or having a particular routine when getting dressed before a game, but these players have taken superstition to a whole new level. Whether or not you believe in superstition, these players really believe that their rituals, have helped their performance.
Patrick Roy Believe it or not, Patrick Roy would talk to the goal posts. No huge conversations apparently, but would ask for a little help in the game or thank them when a puck was deflected. He would also not talk to reporters on game days and refused to step on red or blue lines. Glenn Hall Probably one of the Also known as “Mr. Goalie”, would actually force himself throw up before each game because he thought it would make him play better.
Joe Nieuwendyk Before each game, Joe was known to eat exactly two pieces of toast with peanut butter on them. Not strange enough? Well, then he would sprinkle baby powder on the blade of his hockey stick, believing that it had magical powers that helped him score goals.
Félix Potvin (Former NHL Goalie) Before every game Felix made a cross out using his tape and stuck it to his locker.
Karl Alzner During the Canadian National Anthem, Alzner taps his stick exactly 88 times on the ice during song, then proceeds to trace the outline of a Canadian maple leaf with his stick on the ice.
Brendan Shanahan Brendan would wear the same shoulder pads he had in his junior hockey days. He was also known for listening to Madonna on game days.
Stephane Quintal Quintal refused to talk to anyone after 1:30 p.m. on game days. He would not reply to a question and would ignore anyone who called.
Ray Bourque NHL Legend would change his laces before every game and between periods.
Stephan Lebeau Stephan would chew 20 -25 sticks of gum before the start of a game and throw it out exactly two minutes before opening face-off. Lebeau played a total of 373 games which would account for over 7,460 sticks of gum that he chewed.
Wayne Gretzky The Great One had many habits and superstitions, which included refusing to cut his hair while on the road. One of his most famous ones however, was the beverages he drank before and during a game. He would start with a Diet Coke first, next ice water, then a Gatorade and finish off back with a Diet Coke. Another well known superstition he had was the way he dressed. He always put his equipment on in the same order : left shin pad, left sock, right shin pad, right sock, pants, left skate, right skate, shoulder pads, left elbow pad, right elbow pad, then the jersey, with the right side tucked into his pants.
Sidney Crosby Sidney Crosby might very well be the most superstitious hockey player in the NHL. Crosby’s long list of habits include using the home teams tape on his stick, and no one is allowed to touch it after he tapes it, otherwise he need to re- tape. Crosby will also not call his mother on game days and when going over railroad tracks, will lift his feet and touch glass.
