Discussion»Statements»Rosie's Corner» Who makes up the words/phrases in sports? "HAT TRICK" in hockey/"LOVE" in tennis/"BIRDIE/BOGEY in golf/"TRIPLE DOUBLE" in basketball?.
The Hockey Hall of Fame, however, recognizes a similar story as the true origin of the phrase for hockey. When Chicago Blackhawks winger Alex Kaleta wandered into the Toronto haberdashery of owner Sammy Taft in January 1946 before a game with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kaleta fell in love with a swanky new gray fedora on sale with a gray silk band around the top. Kaleta, however, had just returned to playing professional hockey after serving in the Canadian military during World War II, and didn’t have enough money, so Taft cut him a deal. If Kaleta could score three goals against the Maple Leafs at the game that night, he could come back to the shop and have the hat for free. Kaleta went on to score four goals in the game (Chicago wound up losing to Toronto 6-5) and got a free hat out of his on-ice feat. Taft would continue on with the “trick” and award a free hat to any player who scored three goals in a single game at Maple Leaf Gardens, and the phrase eventually evolved into the three-goal celebratory label we know today.
Thank you for the thoughtful and informative reply tom. That makes sense. Lucky he didn't require 10 goals! Merry Christmas Monday to you and your family! :)
tom jackson 