There’s a lot of things about hockey that make it wildly unique.

First of all, and most obviously of all, it’s played on ice. Automatically, that sets the good ole’ hockey game apart from the rest. When it comes to mainstream sports.

It doesn’t end there, though! There’s also the way that players drop their gloves and fight one another, which is generally frowned upon in most other sports, the fact that ‘hockey hair’ is a thing, the crazy amount of superstitions and unwritten rules, and of course, chirps.

Hockey talk is a language of its own. We even gave it its own dictionary!

 

 

While you can learn the language by simply reading through the dictionary, chirping is a much more delicate and intricate artform.

Okay, not really, but kind of!

Learning to talk the talk is one thing, but learning how to chirp in hockey is an essential skill that requires a whole lot of quick-thinking and creativity on the ice. While there’s a whole plethora of classic chirps to choose from about anything from gear, to ability, to appearance, and so on - we often find that the best, most effective chirps are off the cuff and personalized to their recipient.

We’ve heard some pretty out there chirps in the NHL over the years, but here are our five favourites.

1. “Go dye your hair”.

This line was as absolutely bizarre when Matt Martin said it as it sounds now, but it absolutely comes to mind first when we think of ridiculous and memorable NHL chirps.

2. “Buddy, you suck at hockey”.

Drew Doughty is known for a lot of things, and while his way with words is definitely not one of them, this chirps just resonates with us. To the point, aggressive, leaves its recipient without much to say. Sometimes it’s the simple things.

3. *miscellaneous pigeon noises*

The day that Claude Giroux started making pigeon noises at James Van Riemsdyk on the ice was the day that redefined chirping forever in the most literal sense of the word. It was the day that players learned to call a player a pigeon, without calling a player a pigeon. Revolutionary, off the cuff, chirping Hall of Fame worthy.

4. “You’re a f*&^%$# nerd”.

This one was off the cuff, incredibly rude, and really throws a person off and makes them think. Good on you, Tom Wilson.

5. “Coach know you’re playing tonight? Ask him if you’re supposed to be out here”.

This is a classic from Adam Burish, and it’s a great way of really making someone question their abilities without having to outright say they’re brutal. Nicely done.

 

Did we miss any? Let us know your favourite chirps @BarDown!