The Most Iconic Goal Celebrations in NHL History: From Ovechkin’s Belly Flop to Walman’s Griddy Celly

Goal celebrations, or "cellies," are a cherished tradition in hockey, offering players a moment to express their joy and connect with fans. Over the years, some celebrations have transcended the rink, becoming viral sensations and integral parts of hockey culture. Here's a look at some of the most memorable goal celebrations in NHL history. 

Why Do Hockey Players Celebrate Goals?

Goal celebrations are more than just spontaneous bursts of joy—they are a vital expression of the emotional heartbeat of the game. Scoring a goal in hockey is no small feat. It requires skill, precision, timing, and often a bit of luck. When the puck hits the back of the net, it's the culmination of intense effort, and in that moment, players are overcome with adrenaline, excitement, and pride. Celebrating is a natural way to release all of that emotion.

TOP 10 NHL Goal Celebrations

But beyond personal expression, celebrations serve a deeper purpose. They are a way to connect—not just with teammates on the ice, but with fans in the arena and watching around the world. A great celebration can electrify a crowd, swing momentum, and lift the energy of an entire team. For fans, it creates a visual and emotional cue that this goal was special—that it mattered.

Celebrations also give players a chance to showcase their personalities in a sport that has traditionally valued uniformity and modesty. A signature move, a dance, or even just a heartfelt fist pump tells you something about who that player is. It turns athletes into characters, moments into memories, and highlights into history.

Funny NHL Goal Celebrations

In today's digital age, where moments are instantly clipped, shared, and spread across social media, a memorable celebration can become iconic. It can live on far beyond the game itself, turning players into viral sensations and further building their personal brand.

Whether it’s a well-rehearsed move or a spontaneous explosion of emotion, goal celebrations add an essential human element to the speed and structure of hockey. They are passion made visible. And that’s something everyone—from hardcore fans to casual viewers—can understand and appreciate.

TOP 50 Hockey Goal Celebrations

When Did Goal Celebrations in Hockey Start?

Goal celebrations in hockey have evolved over time, with their roots tracing back to the early days of the sport. While players have always expressed joy after scoring, the more elaborate celebrations we see today became prominent in the 1980s and 1990s. Before that, players typically kept their emotions in check, following the more conservative ethos of the game.

However, as hockey grew in popularity and the game became more global, players began showcasing their personalities and creativity after scoring, leading to the viral celebrations we now know and love. The evolution of these moments reflects the growing connection between players and fans, with celebrations becoming an integral part of hockey culture.

Best NHL Goal Celebrations

11. Evgeny Kuznetsov – The Bird Walk

Ex-Washington Capitals' forward Evgeny Kuznetsov is known for his unique "Bird Walk" celebration. After scoring, Kuznetsov crouches down, extends his arms, and flaps them like a bird, walking back to the bench. This celebration, inspired by the "Spartak Moscow dance," adds a touch of flair and individuality to his goal-scoring moments.

Kuznetsov's Eagle

10. Patrick Kane – The Heartbreaker

Patrick Kane’s most iconic celebration, known by fans as the “Heartbreaker,” is as smooth and confident as his playing style. After scoring, Kane often skates away with a subtle glide, dropping one knee and pointing directly at the net—cool, composed, and a little bit cocky. This signature move, often delivered in clutch moments, became a symbol of his elite skill and big-game flair, perfectly capturing the swagger that made him one of the NHL’s most electrifying players.

Patrick Kane's Celly

9. Teemu Selänne – Shooting the Glove

When Teemu Selänne broke the NHL's rookie goal-scoring record, he celebrated by shooting his glove into the air, mimicking a gunshot. This celebration became iconic, symbolizing Selänne's dynamic playstyle and adding a memorable moment to his historic achievement .

Teemu Selänne's Goal Celebration

8. Jaromír Jágr – The Salute

Jaromír Jágr's "Salute" celebration involved a one-handed goal followed by a casual salute to the crowd. Inspired by former NFL player Terrell Davis, this celebration became a signature move for Jágr, reflecting his unique personality and connection with fans.

The Legendary Salute

7. Theo Fleury – The Running Man

In a high-stakes playoff game, Theo Fleury scored a breakaway goal and celebrated with an exuberant "Running Man" dance. This spontaneous and emotional celebration captured the intensity of the moment and became a defining image of Fleury's career.

The Running Man by Theo Fleury

6. Bobby Orr – The Dive 

One of the most iconic celebrations in NHL history belongs to Bobby Orr. In Game 6 of the 1970 Stanley Cup Final, Orr scored the overtime game-winner against the St. Louis Blues to clinch the championship for the Boston Bruins. Just as the puck crossed the goal line, Orr was tripped by a defender and went flying through the air with his arms outstretched. The resulting image — famously known as “The Dive” — captured Orr mid-flight and became an enduring symbol of triumph, emotion, and hockey history.

The Dive by Bobby Orr

5. Tiger Williams – Riding the Stick

Vancouver's Dave "Tiger" Williams introduced the legendary "Riding the Stick" celebration, where he straddled his stick and pretended to ride it like a horse. This playful and unique celebration quickly became a fan favorite and showcased Williams' charismatic personality. Decades later, Michael Pezzetta of the Montreal Canadiens brought it back after scoring a goal — paying tribute to hockey history while entertaining fans with a touch of nostalgia.

Riding the Stick Celly

4. Auston Matthews – The Finger Flick

Auston Matthews’ “Finger Flick” celebration is one of the more unique and stylish gestures in today’s NHL. After scoring, Matthews casually flicks his wrist downward, almost as if offering his hand to be kissed—an effortlessly cool move that mixes confidence with a bit of humor. The celebration, originally inspired by teammates Jake Gardiner and Morgan Rielly, has since become one of the Matthew's trademarks, adding flair to his already impressive goal-scoring résumé. It’s a subtle yet memorable way of showing that hockey can have both swagger and personality.

Auston Matthews – The Finger Flick

3. Jake Walman – The Griddy

One of the most unexpected and viral NHL celebrations came in 2023 from Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jake Walman, who broke into the Griddy dance after scoring an overtime winner. Inspired by NFL stars like Justin Jefferson, Walman’s confident moves lit up social media and gave hockey a fresh dose of personality. It wasn’t just a celebration—it was a statement that even defensemen can bring swagger and pop culture to the ice.

The Griddy

2. Sean Avery – The Push-Up

Sean Avery's “Push-Up” celebration was as unorthodox as the player himself. After scoring, Avery would occasionally drop to the ice and do a few quick push-ups, turning a goal into a moment of theatrical showmanship. This tongue-in-cheek move reflected his brash personality and flair for getting under the skin of both opponents and fans—further cementing his role as one of the NHL’s most polarizing figures.

Sean Avery – The Push-Up

1. Alex Ovechkin – The Belly Flop

In 2025, Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals scored his 895th career goal, beating Wayne Gretzky's NHL record. To celebrate, Ovechkin performed an impromptu belly flop onto the ice, a move that delighted fans and showcased his playful side. This celebration was a testament to his passion and love for the game.

The Belly Flop by Alex Ovechkin

Kids Have Fun Too

Young hockey players have also been making viral waves with their creative celebrations. One memorable moment was when a 10-year-old boy scored in an amateur game and celebrated with a mini version of Ovechkin’s famous “belly flop,” which quickly went viral. Similarly, after Jake Walman’s “Griddy” dance took off, young players around the world began performing their own versions, including one viral video of a kid doing the dance after scoring.

Another viral moment came when a young player in Canada mimicked Kuznetsov’s signature "bird walk" or “eagle” celebration, spreading his arms like an eagle after scoring a beautiful goal. These kids’ celebrations reflect how hockey culture continues to evolve, showing that even the youngest players can bring personality and creativity to the game.

The Mini Eagle

The Evolution of Goal Celebrations

Over the years, goal celebrations have evolved from simple gestures to elaborate performances. Players are increasingly using celebrations to showcase their individuality and creativity, leading to viral moments that resonate with fans worldwide. Social media platforms have amplified these celebrations, allowing fans to share and celebrate these moments in real-time.

However, not all reactions to these celebrations are positive. Some traditionalists feel that certain celebrations are excessive or disrespectful. This ongoing debate highlights the balance players must strike between personal expression and respect for the game.

Funny Hockey Cellys

Cellys Are Essential 

Goal celebrations are a vibrant testament to the passion, creativity, and individuality that players bring to the game of hockey. They transform a fleeting moment of success into something personal, emotional, and often unforgettable. From Alex Ovechkin’s legendary belly flop to Evgeny Kuznetsov’s quirky bird walk, these celebrations inject flair and storytelling into a sport that thrives on structure and intensity. They’re not just about scoring—they’re about being seen, being remembered, and connecting on a human level.

As the game continues to evolve, so too does the culture around celebrating goals. Today’s NHL is home to a new generation of players who are unafraid to show emotion, entertain the fans, and embrace the spotlight. At the same time, these moments often spark conversation, even controversy, as traditionalists debate where to draw the line between passion and provocation.

Interesting NHL Celebrations

Yet one thing remains clear: celebrations have become an integral part of hockey’s modern identity. They’re shared instantly across social media, they create viral moments that travel beyond the rink, and they help grow the game by appealing to younger, more entertainment-driven audiences. Whether subtle or theatrical, respectful or bold, these post-goal rituals are a reflection of the energy, joy, and raw emotion that make hockey so compelling to watch.

In a sport where every second counts and every goal can change a season, the celebration is the punctuation mark—the exclamation point that reminds us why we love the game in the first place.