What happens to all the hats on the ice after a Hat Trick?

Question

I want to know if there is some system in place that returns the hats to their original owners.

Answer 1

In Colorado you used to be able to go claim your hat after the game and any unclaimed hats were donated to charity.  Since they rarely score enough for anyone to get that honor in the last few years, I couldn't tell you what happens now.  heh  Here's an answer from Barry Melrose a few years back.

What happens to the hats on the ice after someone scores a hat trick? Does the player keep them? -- Dean Arnold, Daytona Beach, Fla.

Melrose: Actually, a lot of teams do special things with the hats. For example, Philadelphia showcases them in their waiting room -- it's sort of an art display. A lot of the hats are also given to charities like to the salvation army or the baptist church. But the players don't get the hats and the teams don't throw them away. They're somehow put to good use.

Answer 2

nope...they sit in a bin in the staduim and then donate them.

Answer 3

They collect them and then donate them.

Answer 4

I always thought that the hats went to the player that got the hattrick- I though McCarty said something like that a long time ago when he got one!

Answer 5

Most teams collect and donate them.