When it comes to sports superstitions, NHL fans aren’t just dipping their toes in the water; they’re diving head-first into the ice with unwashed jerseys on their backs. A new survey of NHL fan bases reveals just how far hockey enthusiasts will go to avoid jinxing their team’s success, and let’s just say: the results are eye-opening (and occasionally nose-wrinkling).
NHL Superstitions: Key Findings
- Vegas fans top the “Superstitious Stank Index” with only 29% of fans that regularly wash their jerseys
- 19% of Maple Leafs fans engage in superstitious behavior, making them the NHL’s most ritualistic fanbase
- Nearly half (49%) of Buffalo Sabres fans wash their jerseys regularly; the cleanest and perhaps most unlucky fanbase in the NHL
- 38% of Maple Leafs and Penguins fans grow playoff beards, leading the league in facial hair dedication
- Only 5% of Seattle Kraken fans report any superstitious behavior, demonstrating traditions are built over years of pain and gain
The Superstitious Stank Index: When Clean Isn’t Lucky
Let’s talk about that gameday jersey hanging in your closet, or more likely, wadded on the floor in the corner. According to many NHL fans, the funk emanating from their unwashed jerseys is more than just a textile Petri dish; it’s also a good luck charm. Our NHL fan “Superstitious Stank Index” reveals just how committed fans are to preserving their jersey’s “lucky essence.”
Leading the pack in the jersey preservation game are the Vegas Golden Knights fans, with an impressive Stank Index of 98. Who says new franchises can’t build traditions? They’re followed closely by the Toronto Maple Leafs (97) and Winnipeg Jets (95) faithful. Perhaps the cold Canadian air helps with the, shall we say, aromatic situation.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, a league-topping 49% of Buffalo Sabres fans regularly wash their jerseys. Which tracks, as the franchise hasn’t made the playoffs since 2011 and fans are likely trying to wash away whatever it is that has them cursed.
Beyond the Unwashed Jersey: Extreme Acts of Fandom
But jersey hygiene habits are just the tip of the superstitious iceberg. Our pool of fans divulged a whole world of ritualistic behaviours ranging from humdrum to heinous, and everything in between
The Maple Leafs fanbase leads the league in overall superstitious behavior, with 19% of their fans admitting to various game-day rituals and life-altering decisions based on their team’s performance. This might explain a lot about Toronto’s… unique relationship with their team.
Let’s break down some of the most impressive (or concerning, depending on your perspective) findings:
The Playoff Beard: More Than Just Face Fuzz
The playoff beard remains hockey’s most sacred tradition, with 38% of Maple Leafs and Penguins fans embracing their inner lumberjack, followed closely by Detroit (35%) and Montreal Canadiens (36%) devotees. This hairy ritual, which began with the 1980s New York Islanders dynasty, has become such an integral part of hockey culture that even in the sunbelt, where facial hair might be less comfortable, 27% of Kings fans and 25% of Stars fans are willing to sweat it out for the sake of their team. The commitment varies dramatically by market—while 37% of Vegas fans participate despite their desert location, only 10% of Kraken fans join in this bristly tradition.
Fans of the Original Six teams average 35% participation in playoff beards, more than double the rate of expansion teams (16%). Some fans take it to the extreme, refusing to trim a single whisker until their team is eliminated (or hoists the Cup), leading to some questionable Zoom talking heads come June. It’s the one time of year when “looking professional” takes a backseat to “looking like you’ve been stranded on a desert island,” and somehow, that’s completely acceptable in hockey culture.
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Life-Changing Decisions? You Betcha
When it comes to showing dedication to their team, 15% of Toronto Maple Leafs fans have permanently linked their family’s legacy to their hockey heroes. Imagine the future Ontario classroom roll calls filled with little Wendels and Sydneys, each name carrying the weight of championships won (or in Toronto’s case, desperately hoped for). While naming your child after a hockey player might seem extreme to some, it’s arguably more lasting than an unwashed jersey and certainly less offensive to the nose. Though one has to wonder about the conversations these parents will have years down the line: “Well, sweetie, we named you Auston because he had an incredible wrist shot, and you should be grateful we didn’t go with your father’s choice, ‘Power Play’.”
A Fresh Perspective on Foul Play
While some might view these superstitious behaviors as excessive, they’re simply a testament to the unbreakable bond between NHL teams and their fans. Every unwashed jersey, every skipped wedding, and every child named “Wayne” tells a story of dedication that goes beyond rational thought.
So the next time you catch a whiff of that distinctive hockey fan aroma at a game, remember: you’re not just smelling an unwashed jersey. You’re smelling tradition, dedication, and maybe just a hint of desperation. Which, in the world of NHL fandom, that’s the sweetest smell of all.
Just maybe don’t tell your mother what the Stank Index of your jersey is. Because she probably already knows all too well, and if not, some traditions are better kept between you and your fellow fans.
Methodology
In March 2025 we surveyed 1,600 NHL fans representing 50 from each fan base. Our group of respondents ranged in age from 22 to 61 years and was comprised of 65% men, 34% women, and 1% of individuals representing other gender identities.
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