Why does the goalie go first?

You’re a hockey fan (and you’d better be, living in this country), you probably know that the starting goaltender leads the team onto the ice every single time.

But here’s a curious fact: my research shows that nobody seems to know why.

I have asked two retired NHL goalies, one Major Junior A goalie and one NHL referee: “Why does the goalie always go first?” In order, here are their responses: “I don’t know. He just does.” “I don’t know. He always has.” “I couldn’t tell ya.” “No clue.” I think, initially, the goalie went first to give him time to rough up his crease. But did you know this?

In 1945, Edgar Laprade of the New York Rangers decided that if his goalie, Chuck Rayner, insisted on going first, Edgar was determined to go last.

One by one, Rangers players and then players from the other five NHL teams decided, “I’m following so-and-so” and always did for as long as they played together.

The goalie goes first is a mainstay of professional hockey to this day.

But a set place in line for the other players has pretty much become obsolete, probably because the rosters change so much, thanks to free agency.

I’m sure some players still adhere to it, but, these days, for the most part, runway protocol differs from team to team.

But next time you watch an NHL game, keep an eye on the goaltenders and you’ll see that for the warm-up and the start of each period, the goalie always goes first.

I’m Fred Trainor and that’s a Little Good News.