Many athletes develop routines or customs they believe will help them perform at a higher level. From pregame music to the order their gear goes on, hockey players are one group known for these habits. Several NHL players follow specific routines and sometimes unique superstitions. Much like the professionals, HSE’s Hockey A team has adopted superstitions of their own as a team and individually.
“Our biggest rule is no stepping on the logo in the locker room,” senior defenseman Noah Robbins said. “Other than that, we like to kick off our warmups with a game of sewer ball and tips about 45 minutes before our game.”
Superstitions are often defined as unjustified beliefs in supernatural causation that link specific actions to outcomes. Most athletes know that their superstitions have no real effect on their performance. But they continue to do these rituals as a way to boost their confidence and calm their nerves. A forgotten superstition or habit can throw off an athlete’s game because it changes the routine that they have perfected in their mind.
“The biggest superstition [where] I notice a difference is when I don’t have my favorite pregame meal and eat a certain amount of time before,” Robbins said. “It can throw off my game.”
Habits and routines have a way of quieting an athlete’s mind, especially before a big game. These sometimes superstitious customs encourage players to focus on their established patterns rather than the pressure of the game.
“You don’t really choose superstitions,” senior defenseman Will Ellenwood said. “You just pick up on things you do when the team is doing well and you try to repeat them.”
There are some sports in which on occasion a few athletes can lead their team to victory; in hockey this is not the case. No one player can carry the team to a win or carry the burden of a loss all on their own. The team won’t see success if players aren’t delivering on both ends of the ice. Individual superstitions and routines that ease the mind can aid the team as a whole. When each player is relaxed and able to play to the best of their ability, collectively the team will perform better.
“I kind of just look for routine to bring my focus onto the game,” Ellenwood said. “When I’m thinking about keeping my routine the same, I’m not hyperfocused on the game, which I think helps me stay loose and play better.”
