Throwing hands and throwing… teddy bears? A look at some of ice hockey’s quirkiest traditions

Going to an ice hockey game is more than just donning your favourite player's jersey and cheering from behind the glass.

Sure, there’s the thrill of watching players zip across the rink, puck in tow, but the magic of the game extends beyond the ice.

You’ll be swept up by the lively organ music, goal horns that could rival foghorns, and, if you’re lucky, objects flying onto the ice.

It’s a sport bursting with traditions, some cherished universally, others unique to individual teams.

Read on to dive into some of the best ice hockey traditions that could just inspire you to snag tickets to the next game. And, while you're at it, don't forget to pack an octopus.

Fighting: the ice-cold brawl

"There was once a fight, and then a hockey game broke out," so goes the joke.

Fighting has long been an integral part of hockey, as prominent to the game’s identity as the skates and sticks, though always within limits. In modern ice hockey, a fight earns players a five-minute major penalty, often called "five for fighting."

Take the 1974–75 Philadelphia Flyers, for example, who practically punched their way to a championship, earning the nickname "Broad Street Bullies."

Although fighting and the rules around it has changed over the years, but one thing remains: the gloves will drop.

It’s gritty. It’s raw. It’s hockey.

Ice hockey: the musical

Stepping into an NHL arena is a sensory experience. The chill from the ice meets the smell of stadium delicacies, all accompanied by a symphony of sounds that define hockey’s unique atmosphere.

The iconic arena organ kicks things off, belting out everything from classic tunes like “Charge!” to modern hits. In Chicago, Jim Cornelison’s powerful national anthem performance brings goosebumps while Columbus fans brace themselves for the BOOM of the Blue Jackets’ goal cannon.

Goal songs are a league-wide hallmark, with every arena boasting its own horn and soundtrack to success. Detroit fans belt out “Don’t Stop Believin’” after a Red Wings win, and Edmonton’s “La Bamba” pays homage to beloved locker room attendant Joey Moss.

And who could forget the sing-alongs? From Blink-182’s “All The Small Things” echoing through Colorado’s playoff runs to the raucous chants of “Dallas! Stars!” punctuating every goal in Texas, each team’s customs reflect its city’s soul.

Goalie traditions: The guardians of the net

Goalies are like the knights in jerseyed armour in hockey, and their rituals show just how revered they are.

Before every game, the starting goalie leads the team onto the ice, followed by players completing a few warm-up rounds.

Then, just before the action begins, starting teammates skate up and give the goalie a quick tap on the pads, a good-luck charm signalling, "We’ve got your back," and setting the tone for the battle ahead while reminding fans that the game is about to begin.

Tapping sticks: the hockey applause

Clapping with gloves and sticks? Not practical. Instead, hockey players show their appreciation by tapping their sticks on the ice or against the boards. This “hockey applause” is a universal sign of approval that adds an element of hype to any game.

Throwing octopi, rats, hats and bears

Hockey fans are known for throwing some of the oddest, and most delightful, objects onto the ice.

In Detroit, it’s all about the octopus. This slippery tradition began in 1952 during the Original Six era, when teams needed eight playoff wins to secure the Stanley Cup. Pete and Jerry Cusimano, two brothers from Detroit, kicked things off by tossing an octopus onto the ice at Olympia Stadium. With its eight arms symbolising the eight required wins, the gesture brought good luck: the Red Wings went on to sweep the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens to win the championship.

The tradition stuck, becoming a beloved ritual for Detroit fans. By 1995, the octopus even inspired the team’s mascot, "Al the Octopus." Over time, fans have embraced this quirky custom, complete with “octopus-throwing etiquette” to keep it in check.

Inspired by Detroit’s tradition, Nashville Predators fans began throwing catfish onto the ice in 1999. What started as a playful nod to the Red Wings has since become a hallmark of Predators’ home games. The Florida Panthers created their own twist, with fans hurling plastic rats onto the ice after goals. This nod to captain Scott Mellanby’s 1995 “rat trick,” when he killed a locker room rat and scored two goals in the same game, remains a cherished part of Panthers lore.

Then there’s the hat trick. When a player scores three goals in a game, fans celebrate by showering the ice with hats. Though it takes a few minutes to clean up, the excitement makes every delay worthwhile.

Finally, the teddy bear toss brings a charitable element to the ice. Popularised by the Hershey Bears minor league team, this heartwarming tradition sees fans hurl stuffed animals onto the ice after the home team’s first goal.

These are then collected, cleaned, and donated to local charities, spreading holiday cheer to kids in need. Since the first teddy bear toss in 2001, the team has collected over 389,000 stuffed animals.

The playoff beards and handshakes

As NHL players battle through the playoff grind, their sights are set on the ultimate prize: a spot in the Stanley Cup Finals. But the road to glory is paved with rituals that unite teams and fans alike.

One such tradition is what is known as the "playoff beard."

This wacky tradition begins with a razor left untouched, as what starts as a humble 5 o’clock shadow evolves into a rugged badge of honour. Players often stop shaving when the team enters the playoffs and do not shave until their team is eliminated, or wins the Stanley Cup.

By the time of the Stanley Cup Final, the scruff tells its own story.

The players are not alone in this tradition. Fans embrace the "playoff beard" tradition, too, proudly growing their own scruff and adding a unique layer of camaraderie to the stands, and the tradition has spread to other leagues as well.

But, when the final horn of playoff games sounds, win or lose, hockey’s ultimate display of sportsmanship takes centre stage: after brutal, bruising playoff matches, players line up to shake hands.

It’s a tradition of respect that transcends rivalries, in a moment that defines the soul of the game.

Thou shalt not touch the Conference trophy

Following a gruelling playoff season, the battle-hardened and shaggy players hope to secure a conference championship victory, with the winners of the Eastern and Western Conferences advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals.

Winning your conference trophy? Amazing. But touching it? A major no-no.

Superstitious NHL players believe the Stanley Cup should be the only trophy they hold, and touching the conference cup could jinx their shot at the ultimate prize.

That's because the Stanley Cup isn’t just a trophy; it’s a holy grail.

When a team does win the Cup, the traditions are pure magic. The captain is the first to skate with it, raising it high as the crowd roars. Then, in a display of team unity, the Cup is passed from player to player, each taking a lap to soak up the moment they’ve dreamed of since childhood.

The Cup’s journey doesn’t end there. Each player gets 24 hours with it, leading to adventures that range from hospital visits to fishing boats. Champagne has been sipped from it. It has been snuggled in bed by Alex Ovechkin and in the shower with Steve Yzerman.

And, of course, every player’s name is engraved onto the Cup, ensuring their place in hockey history.