2015-16 was a slow season for Gordie Howe Hat Tricks. There were a total of seven. The previous low total I had researched was 10 in 2012-13, a lock-out shortened season.. Compared to 2014-15, fights per game was down to 0.28 from 0.32 and goals per game down to 2.71 from 2.73. So this was more a case of the stars not aligning for the GHHTs this year. Of note, Chris Neil notched his fourth career GHHT while playing in 900th career game. Alex Petrovic recorded a pair of Hat Tricks on February 9, 2006. One was the Gordie Howe Hat Trick, another was for fighting the same opponent, Evander Kane, three times during the same game.
Larry Robinson was not a prolific fighter, but he was a feared man. He built his reputation on bouts with Dave "The Hammer" Schultz and Gary Howatt during his second season. Robinson, at 6'3, 200lbs, was a big man by 1970s standards but he also had skill. Robinson would win two Norris trophies and be a 1st or 2nd Team All-Star six times. He set a NHL record with a +/- rating of +120 in 1976-77. Robinson, a HHOFer, would only rack up two Gordie Howe Hat Tricks during his career. His reputation as a fighter, and value on the ice, would keep his gloves on and Larry out of the sin bin.
In a way it strange that we profile Larry Robinson, not because of his low GHHT count, but since it can be argued that there would have been many more GHHTs if it wasn't for Larry Robinson. The expansion Philadelphia Flyers of the late 1960s was a weak team, in the standings and on the ice. Fred Shero took over as head coach in 1971 and began to bring in physical players. The team would bring a new style of play, often relying on their fists, as opposed to skill to win games. By 1973, the team had acquired the nickname "The Broad Street Bullies". The Flyers won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 1974 and 75. Success bread imitators and some look as the Flyers reign as the dark days of hockey.
Then in 1976, the Canadiens swept the Flyers in the Stanley Cup finals. The Canadiens were seen as a team of skill and finesse, led by names such as Lafleur, Shutt, Dryden and Cournoyer. Although with Robinson, it could be said, beat the Flyers at their own game, intimidation. Robinson already had a much publicized win in ab out with Flyers legendery tough guy/goon Dave Schultz under his belt, and then in game two of the 1976 Finals, Robinson dished out one of the greatest hits in NHL history. Instead of acting like the Broad Street Bullies and jumping Robinson, the Flyers left Robinson alone.
In "The Game", Ken Dryden wrote of Robinson "They (Bruins and Flyers) held him in such awe, treating him with an embarrassing, almost fawning, respect, that they seemed even to abandon their style of play when he was around, and with it any hope of winning." So in a way, Robinson, while not putting a stop to thugs and goons around the NHL, helped the Canadiens show the rest of the NHL that you can win with skill and without the violence and goonery.
Granted with the continued trend of expansion of the NHL in the 1970s, the talent level continued to get watered down and it was easier to find goons as opposed to the skilled players the 1970s Canadiens had stockpiled over the years. So the GHHTs would continue to mount throughout the 1970s and 80s, as goals and fights would continue to increase.
Gordie How Hat Trick were coming fast and furious early in the season. There were five in both October and November. Then only another six for the rest of the season. The 2014-15 Art Ross winner, Jamie Benn, also led the league in the Gordie Howe Hat Tricks. Benn might be the first player to led the league in points and Gordie Howe Hat Tricks in the same season. No, Jarome Iginla did not lead the league in GHHTs during his Art Ross season in 2001-02. I'd have to check on Stan Mikita. There were two night with two Gordie Howe Hat Tricks, November 13th and February 2nd, but both times they were in separate games. Steve Pinizzotto scored his first career goal during his Gordie Howe Hat Trick. Vladimir Tarasenko had his first career fight in this GHHT. Teams were 20-3-3 when having a Gordie Howe Hat Trick.
Cam Neely is regarded as one of the all-time best power forwards. Neely scored 50 goals in three different seasons including 50 in 49 games during the 1993-94 season. Neely slowed down in the fisticuffs department once he became a 50 goal scorer. He had 10 GHHTs in his first 6 season, but only two during the rest of his career. The rest of his career was marred by injuries. Neely had four GHHTs during the 1987-88 season. All four came within a 15 game span. Neely took on all comers in his fights, including heavyweights Chris Nilan, Ken Baumgartner and Dave Semenko. It is ironic that his last Gordie Howe Hat Trick was against Ulf Samuelsson, a player who cost Neely almost two seasons due to a dirty hit.
There were 21 Gordie Howe Hat Tricks in 2007-08, including one during the play-offs. Jarome Iginla extended his lead as the active leader with his eight and ninth career GHHTs. Jarome, and Sean Avery were the only players to have multiple GHHTs in 2007-08. Teams with a player having a GHHT went 14-7. Sidney Crosby earned his first GHHT, which included a fight against Andrew Ferrence of the Boston Bruins. Tom Kostopoulus completed his GHHT when he instigated a fight against Shane Hnidy of the Bruins with less than 10 minutes in the game. Rick Nash completed his GHHT with a fight at the end of the game.
By most accounts, mine included, Rick Tocchet accumulated the most career Gordie Howe Hat Tricks of any player, including Stan Mikita. Tocchet earned GHHTs with five different franchises, including nine with the Philadelphia Flyer. Tocchet's best year for GHHTs 1986-87, when he had three GHHTs. All 18 of Tocchet's GHHTs were during the regular season. He averaged a GHHT every 64 games but yet never got one during 143 play-off games. For his career, Tocchet scored 440 goals, 952 points and 2972 PIM. Tocchet was the quintessential power forward. A player who could score, but who would also physically intimidate the opposing team, just like Goride Howe.
There were 20 GHHTs in 2008-09. Corey Perry was the only player to have more than one. Perry had one in the regular season, and one during the play-offs. There were three nights with two GHHTs, twice by players in different games, and once by teammates. The teammates were Luke Schenn and Jamal Mayers, who both got a GHHT in a losing cause for the Toronto Maple Leafs. David Clarkson earned himself a GHHT and then a few weeks later was the fight opponent for Brent Seabrook`s GHHT. Teams with GHHTs were 16-4, including 2-0 in the play-offs.
2015-16 was a slow season for Gordie Howe Hat Tricks. There were a total of seven. The previous low total I had researched was 10 in 2012-13, a lock-out shortened season.. Compared to 2014-15, fights per game was down to 0.28 from 0.32 and goals per game down to 2.71 from 2.73. So this was more a case of the stars not aligning for the GHHTs this year. Of note, Chris Neil notched his fourth career GHHT while playing in 900th career game. Alex Petrovic recorded a pair of Hat Tricks on February 9, 2006. One was the Gordie Howe Hat Trick, another was for fighting the same opponent, Evander Kane, three times during the same game. 
