What Happened
Edmonton Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard scored a hat trick in Tuesday's season opener against the visiting Vancouver Canucks. His third goal came midway through the third period, trimming Vancouver's lead to 5-4 and causing a brief stoppage while arena staff gathered the hats thrown onto the ice. According to Sportsnet, it was the first hat trick by an NHL defenceman in a season opener since Mark Howe did it for the Hartford Whalers in 1980.
Key Details
- Bouchard's hat trick came in the Oilers' 2026-27 season opener against Vancouver.
- His third goal made it 5-4 Vancouver midway through the third period.
- Last defenceman with an opening-night hat trick: Mark Howe, Hartford Whalers, 1980.
- Bouchard posted career highs last season with 21 goals, 74 assists and 95 points in 82 games.
- Bouchard is a native of Oakville, Ontario.
What It Means
Bouchard's opening-night output extends the offensive trajectory he set last season, when he posted career bests across the board. A three-goal game from a defenceman is rare at any point in the schedule, and doing it in a season opener had not happened in the league for more than four decades.