Okay, hockey fans, get ready to raise a glass and raise the roof! Hockey drinking games are the perfect way to turn an ordinary game night into a legendary face-off. This ain’t your average guide to generic drinking games – we’re diving into the world of hockey-themed rules and challenges designed for those thrilling NHL nights, epic Stanley Cup battles, and anytime you’re ready to party with your fellow puckheads.
Methodology
We know your time is precious – a power play is way more exciting than researching drinking games. That’s why I’ve meticulously scoured the ice for the best of the best. I’ve tested these games myself (responsibly, of course) and considered factors like:
- Excitement Factor: Can the game keep up with the fast pace and big hits of a hockey match?
- Ease of Play: No complex rules here! These games are easy to learn, even after a few celebratory beverages.
- Group Sizes: Whether you’re flying solo or with a whole bench-clearing brawl of friends, we’ve got games for everyone.
I. Drinking Games to Level Up Your Hockey Watch Party
Get ready to turn those epic NHL showdowns and legendary Stanley Cup battles into full-blown parties! These drinking games are designed to keep the excitement going between periods, amp up those big goals, and turn even a blowout into a night to remember (or maybe forget…).
1. The Hat Trick Hero
Get ready to cheer (and drink!) for the star of the game! In this classic hockey drinking game, you’ll pick a player at the start of the match. Every time your chosen hero scores a goal, you drink. BUT, the magic happens when they score a hat trick (that’s three goals, for the less puck-savvy). With that third goal, everyone else takes a drink!
Variations to crank up the challenge:
- The Gretzky Challenge: Pick a true legend – if your player pulls off a hat trick, YOU finish your whole drink.
- The Underdog: Go for the struggling rookie. You only drink if THEY land a hat trick. High risk, high reward!
- Team Spirit: Instead of one player, the whole team is your focus. Every three goals they score, everyone else drinks.
I always think back to that one playoff game where my buddy chose a fourth-line grinder as his Hat Trick Hero. Let’s just say after his surprise hat trick, the rest of the night was… a blur.
2. Play-by-Play Predictions
Think you’re a hockey hotshot when it comes to calling the game? Put your skills to the test! Before each period, everyone writes down their predictions:
- Who’ll score the first goal?
- Will there be any penalties?
- Which team will rack up more shots on goal?
Get creative with your predictions – the more outlandish, the better! Anyone who guesses correctly gets a point. At the end of the game, the person with the most points gets to dish out drinks, or maybe gets immunity from the next round!
3. Hockey Trivia Shot Challenge
Time to test your hockey knowledge and your drinking stamina! Prepare a stack of trivia cards with questions about hockey history, legendary players, rule oddities – the works! Here’s how it goes down:
- The Face-Off: One person reads a trivia question.
- Take Your Shot: Got the answer right? Gloat a little, you earned it. Incorrect? Time to take a shot!
- Difficulty Levels: Spice things up with “easy”, “medium”, and “hard” questions worth different amounts of punishment.
Add a physical challenge! Wrong answer means a shot and 10 pushups. Beware, this gets messy fast!
Here’s a list of trivia questions to get you started:
- What is the name of the trophy awarded to the NHL champions? (Stanley Cup)
- How many periods are in a regulation hockey game? (Three)
- Which team did Wayne Gretzky play most of his career with? (Edmonton Oilers)
- Who holds the record for most career NHL goals? (Wayne Gretzky)
- What’s the unusual rule called when a player shoots the puck over the glass and out of play? (Delay of game)
- Which country is considered the birthplace of ice hockey? (Canada)
- Who was the first-ever black player in the NHL? (Willie O’Ree)
- What’s the term for when a player scores three goals in a game? (Hat trick)
- Name two of the “Original Six” NHL teams (Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers)
4. Rivalry Rumble
When those classic rivalries hit the ice, it’s time to turn up the heat! This game is all about exploiting those bitter feuds. Here’s the setup:
- Choose Your Foes: Are you a die-hard Leafs fan with a seething hatred for the Habs? Perfect. That’s your matchup.
- Know Their Weaknesses: Does one team take tons of penalties? Every power play is a drink for their rivals. Known for sloppy defense? Each goal conceded means a drink for their opponents.
- Historic Grudges: Dig into the past! Every time a player scores who’s infamous for bad blood between the teams, it’s double trouble (two drinks!).
5. Hometown Heroes
Show some love for your local hockey stars! This game is all about celebrating those players who rep your hometown:
- Find Your Heroes: Do some pre-game research to see who on your team hails from your city or state.
- Celebrate Local Legends: Every time one of your hometown heroes scores a goal, everyone else drinks!
- Double the Pride: If a local player pulls off a fancy assist, those not from your neck of the woods take a sip.
If you’re feeling extra patriotic, expand the rule to include players from your whole country!
6. Penalty Box Shuffle
Uh oh, your team’s getting a little too feisty! Time to turn those bad calls into a party with this game:
- The Rulebook: Before the game, assign a drink or a mini-challenge to each type of penalty. Slashing? Tequila shot. Hooking? Do 5 burpees. Get creative!
- Sin Bin Shenanigans: Every time your team lands in the penalty box, the offender has to face the consequences based on their foul.
- Double Trouble: If it’s a major penalty, double the punishment!
Keep the challenges light and fun – the goal is rowdy laughter, not someone puking during the second period.
7. Pre-Game Drinking Challenges
Get the party started before the puck even drops! These quick challenges will get everyone warmed up and ready for the main event:
- Jersey Shots: Everyone picks a player – it can be a star, a benchwarmer, anyone! If your chosen player scores, raise a glass in their honor and take a celebratory shot.
- Puck Prediction: Put your hockey knowledge to the test! Everyone writes down their guess for when the first goal will be scored, or the total goals in the first period. Closest guess wins, and everyone else drinks!
- Faceoff Challenge: Time to settle some scores before the real faceoffs begin. Rock-paper-scissors, thumb wrestling, coin flip – quick, head-to-head battles where the loser takes a pre-game drink.
II. Hockey Drinking Games for every Fan
Whether you’re a diehard puckhead or just enjoy the occasional slap shot with a side of cold beer, these games are designed to make any hockey night legendary. Grab some pals, your favorite team’s jersey, and get ready to make some hilarious, competitive memories!
1. Goal!
The classic hockey drinking game! It’s simple, fast-paced, and perfect for any group size. Here’s the deal:
- The Rule: Every time the word “goal” is shouted by the announcer, everyone takes a drink.
- Variations:
- Only goals by your team count.
- Every “goal” is a shot instead of a sip.
- Group Size: Works like a charm whether you’re a solo spectator or part of a roaring crowd.
You know that feeling when your team scores a clutch goal, and the whole arena explodes? This game turns that moment into pure, unfiltered joy… and maybe a slight hangover the next day.
2. The Power Play Power Hour
Time to take advantage of those penalties! This game turns downtime into a drinking frenzy.
- The Setup: Designate a specific drink (beer, mixed shot, whatever fits the vibe).
- Power Up: Every time your team has a power play, that’s your cue to drink for the duration of the advantage!
- Variations:
- Double Down: If your team scores on the power play, everyone else joins in the fun and finishes their drink.
- Penalty Kill: Feeling brave? If your team is on the penalty kill, YOU drink for the duration.
- Group Size: Perfect for a party! The more people playing, the merrier the power plays become.
I’ll never forget that one time my buddy bet me I couldn’t finish a full pint during a 5-minute major power play. Let’s just say I won the bet, but the rest of the game was… hazy. Hockey and drinking responsibly is a skill, folks!
3. Icing is Icky
That dreaded whistle! An icing call might stop the play on the ice, but for us, it’s a signal to party.
- The Penalty: If your team ices the puck, you drink!
- Variations:
- Double Trouble: Icing followed by a goal against your team? That’s a double drink!
- The Icing King: Keep track of who causes the most icings. They get a special “prize” at the end of the game (a full drink, a silly hat, etc.)
- Group Size: Great for any size group, but especially fun with a crowd who can playfully heckle the icing offenders.
I once played in a beer league where every icing meant a shot. Needless to say, our defensive strategy left something to be desired… but man, were those games fun!
4. Beer Hockey
Okay, it’s time to ditch those controllers and get ready for the real deal – Beer Hockey! This is the drinking game that’s a hockey game… sort of. Here’s what you need:
The Setup
- A long table (the bigger, the better)
- Solo cups (or empty beer cans) at each end of the table as “goals”
- A ping pong ball or small, bouncy ball
- Drinks of choice
The Basics
- Players face off across the table.
- The goal: flick, slap, or blow the ball into your opponent’s “goal”.
- When a goal is scored, the loser drinks!
Advanced Techniques
- The curveball: Dip the ball in a drink before flicking for a slippery, unpredictable shot.
- The bank shot: Bounce it off the table sides for a surprise attack.
- Defense: Block shots with your hands, but don’t touch the ball if it’s on your side of the table!
Pro Tips
- Table length matters: a longer table means more time to react and set up epic shots.
- Cup arrangement: Experiment with defense formations (triangles, staggered lines, etc.)
From the Locker Room: Beer hockey was the king of our college dorm parties. Things got messy, competitive, and hilarious. Pro-tip: maybe don’t use your good dining table…
5. Commercial Hockey Drinking Card Game: The Last Leg Hockey Drinking Game
The Last Leg Hockey Drinking Game is a card-based game designed to add excitement to watching hockey. Players draw cards that dictate drinking actions based on specific in-game events like goals, penalties, shots on goal, and more. The game often includes a point system where players earn points for specific actions and the player with the least points at the end of the game has to “payout” by taking a final drink.
III. Responsible Hockey Drinking
While hockey drinking games put a fun spin on game night, it’s equally important to prioritize safety and responsible drinking. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind:
- Pace Yourself: Hockey games can be long! Spread your drinks out over time and avoid chugging.
- Hydration is Key: Alternate alcoholic drinks with water to stay hydrated.
- Eat Something: Having snacks or some food in your stomach will help slow the absorption of alcohol.
- Designated Driver: Always have a designated driver in your group, or plan to use a ride-sharing service if you’ll be drinking.
- Know Your Limits: Listen to your body and don’t push yourself to keep up if you’re not feeling well. Games are meant to be fun!
If you love the fast-paced action of hockey, you know there are other sports that bring the same thrills. Branch out and try our guides on basketball drinking games, golf drinking games (for those surprisingly rowdy tournaments), and even baseball drinking games to keep the party going all season long. And of course, the biggest sporting event of the year deserves its own set of rules – check out our epic guide to Superbowl drinking games!
