As a sport, hockey has a rich history of tradition and superstition. One of the most interesting aspects of hockey culture is the practice of giving nicknames to individual lines on a team. These nicknames are often based on the players’ surnames or on some other shared trait. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best hockey line nicknames of all time.
1. The Triple Crown Line (Los Angeles Kings)
The Triple Crown Line was a line for the Los Angeles Kings during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The line consisted of Marcel Dionne, Charlie Simmer, and Dave Taylor. These three players led the Kings to their first-ever divisional championship in 1980-81 and dominated the league with their scoring for several seasons. The nickname “Triple Crown Line” was coined due to the fact that all three players had scored 100 or more points in a single season.
2. The French Connection (Buffalo Sabres)
The French Connection was another legendary line in NHL history. It was composed of Gilbert Perreault, Rene Robert, and Rick Martin, who all happened to be from Quebec. This line was known for its dazzling moves and swift skating, as well as their deadly accuracy on the ice. They helped lead the Sabres to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1974-75, where they ultimately lost to the Philadelphia Flyers.
3. The Production Line (Detroit Red Wings)
The Production Line refers to a line composed of Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, and Sid Abel who played for the Detroit Red Wings in the 1940s and 1950s. This line remains one of the most famous in NHL history. The Production Line was known for its speed, skill, and toughness, as well as its ability to score goals at will. The nickname refers to their ability to produce points at a high rate.
4. The Legion of Doom (Philadelphia Flyers)
The Legion of Doom was a line consisting of Eric Lindros, John LeClair, and Mikael Renberg. The line was named after the DC Comics supervillain group and was known for its size, skill, and physicality. The Legion of Doom was only together for a few seasons, but during that time, they were one of the most dominant lines in the league. They helped lead the Flyers to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996-97, where they lost to the Detroit Red Wings.
5. The Pizza Line (Winnipeg Jets)
The Pizza Line was a line consisting of Ulf Nilsson, Anders Hedberg, and Bobby Hull who played for the Winnipeg Jets in the World Hockey Association (WHA) during the 1970s. The line was named after a popular pizza chain in Winnipeg, and it was known for its speed, skill, and ability to score goals. The Pizza Line helped lead the Jets to three AVCO Cup championships in the WHA, and two NHL playoff appearances after the league merged with the NHL in 1979.
In conclusion, hockey line nicknames have become a time-honored tradition in the sport. These nicknames not only give fans a shorthand way of referring to different lines, but they also capture the unique characteristics of each line. The five lines we’ve looked at in this article are some of the best in NHL history, and they will always be remembered by fans of the game.
