“Dog Walking, Pasta, and Czech Pop”: This Is What NHL Stars Really Do Before Hitting the Ice

Long before the puck drops, NHL players are already locked into game mode, but it’s not always how fans imagine. From napping windows and specialized meals to stretching in compression boots, NHL player routines are a fascinating mix of science, superstition, and personal comfort.

While some might call them quirks, these routines are critical to how players prepare physically and mentally for high-stakes games.

Game Day Rituals: Food, Naps, and Familiar Patterns

For Matt Duchene of the Dallas Stars, game day starts with a nap, a journal, and a consistent pregame meal: pasta and salmon. It’s not superstition, he says—it’s structure. “I have a routine, but I don’t think that means you’re superstitious,” Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson explained. “Lots of guys have routines.”

Many do rely on food to settle into rhythm. Vegas forward Pavel Dorofeyev eats pasta with Alfredo sauce and chicken. Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen sticks to chicken, pasta, and sweet potatoes. Meanwhile, Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild once ate 13 meatballs with lingonberry sauce before games but recently simplified it by going out to a restaurant instead.

Goaltender Scott Wedgewood takes things to another level with chickpea pasta, chicken breasts, soup, and a detailed pre-period stick-tapping ritual. “That’s just been a game-on, turn-the-engine-on type thing,” he said.

Off-Ice Habits: Dogs, Music, and Mental Prep

Pre-game naps are nearly sacred in NHL circles. Golden Knights defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, a father of four, still finds time to nap for at least an hour, even if it’s just quiet time. Mark Jankowski of the Hurricanes walks his dog, Lucy, post-skate, followed by a meal, Normatec boot therapy, and a 60-90 minute nap.

For some players, music sets the tone. Vegas forward Tomas Hertl prefers Czech songs he can sing along to—badly, he admits. “I have a terrible voice… but this I do by myself.”

Letting Loose Before the NHL Pressure Builds

Despite the intensity of the sport, NHL player routines often include time to unwind. Washington’s Logan Thompson, once consumed by superstitions like avoiding sidewalk cracks, now focuses on keeping his body loose. He swears by “sewer ball,” a low-stress locker room game that helps players stay relaxed before the storm.

When you overthink too much, that’s when issues happen,” Thompson said.

From pasta plates to playful games, these behind-the-scenes routines reveal that NHL greatness often begins long before players hit the ice.

Related: 15 NHL Nicknames That Hit Harder Than a Body Check

Related Articles
Hulk Hogan talks up the Hulkamania on Dec. 6, 1994, at the Hard Rock Café in Nashville during a press conference promoting the Dec. 27’s Starcade ’94, a pay-per-view wrestling bonanza at Municipal Auditorium. Hogan will battle archrival Butcher in the main event.
Ranking 7 Famous Wrestlers Who Are Actually Terrible People
Wrestling is built on over-the-top personas, but sometimes, the villain isn’t just an act. While...
Read More
US PRESSWIRE Sports Archive
LeBron James Isn't the Oldest! 7 NBA Veterans Who Played Past 40
LeBron James is the poster boy for longevity in modern basketball. But believe it or not, he’s not the...
Read More
May 29, 2025; Erin, Wisconsin, USA; Charley Hull tees off at the 1st hole during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
Eyewitness Confirms Charley Hull Visibly Frustrated as Lexi Thompson Commits LPGA’s Most Hated Offense
Slow Play Sparks Drama Between Lexi Thompson and Charley Hull The LPGA has been cracking down on slow...
Read More

As an Amazon Associate, The Quick Report earns from qualifying purchases.

Part of the Castaway Studios media network.