Forget Football, Hockey Is The Hottest Sport A Man Can Play

This year, the National Hockey League (NHL) replaced its annual All-Star Game with the 4 Nations Face-Off, and it’s safe to say it was a success. After NHL players weren’t allowed to take part in the 2018 or 2022 Winter Olympics, this was the first time in years since NHL players from the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland competed in an international competition outside of the World Championships (which often excludes some of the top NHL players due to the schedule conflict with the Stanley Cup Playoffs).

The tournament not only brought Americans together, but proved that Team USA is stronger than ever, and most importantly, that hockey might just be the hottest sport a man can play.

How The 4 Nations Face-Off Brought Americans Together

Despite four countries competing, the focus was on Team USA and Team Canada, for they had the best players and it was obvious they were going to be the final two teams. The teams faced off twice in the week-long tournament, starting with a 3-1 victory for Team USA. Several moments of the game went viral, especially the three fights that broke out within the first nine seconds of the game. 

Two of the three American players who started the fights were Matthew and Brady Tkachuk. After the tournament, the two brothers appeared on Jason and Travis Kelce’s podcast, New Heights, to discuss how the fights came about.

Matthew insisted it was about establishing that Team USA was united and ready to fight for the win. He said, “That team is such a proud group of Americans and wanted to show how united we were and how proud we were to be American. Let’s face it, in the last bunch of years, you haven’t seen that from Americans in general.”

He continued, “It was more than that. It was more to show your teammates that we’ve got this and we’re together in this. We all come from different parts of the country, different backgrounds, different teams, and we’re in this and we’re gonna fight together.”

Later, Jason chimed in, “There were two countries, Canada and the US, that were so proudly fighting for each other, and it was just awesome to witness.”

Hockey has been known as Canada’s sport since its inception, but the United States isn’t far behind, producing some of the best players in the sport to date. The competition to make Team USA’s roster was so competitive that Patrick Kane, who is widely considered to be one of the greatest American-born hockey players of all time, didn’t make the cut after a poor performance due to an injury.

After an electric first game, the final game brought in 16 million viewers. While Team Canada ended up winning the game and the tournament, Team USA remains proud. On The Tonight Show, Matthew Tkachuk said he was most proud of “how much pride we showed in representing our country and being Americans. We’re so lucky to be from this great country.” He also said the final game was the “biggest game he ever played in,” which is saying a lot considering he won the Stanley Cup last year.

Another amazing thing Team USA did during the tournament was honor Johnny Gaudreau, who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and likely would have made the Team USA roster if he hadn’t been killed in a car crash alongside his brother last August. The team welcomed his father to one of their practices and hung his Team USA jersey in the locker room throughout the whole tournament.

In a deeply divisive political climate, the 4 Nations Face-Off showed that Americans can still come together and be proud of their country. The patriotism and masculinity displayed by Team USA were not only fun to watch but also proved that hockey might be the hottest sport a guy can play.

Why Women Can’t Resist Hockey Players 

Athleticism Is Hot

We all know that athletes are hot, and studies have provided scientific proof of why so many women crush on them. In a 2014 University of Zurich study, 800 people were shown photographs of 80 men who competed in the Tour de France and had to rank them based on attractiveness. Without knowing the race results, the more successful athletes were rated more attractive. 

The scientific reason behind this is that athletic men are perceived to be more physically protective, something our ancient female ancestors relied on for survival. If a man was athletic and willing to take risks to keep the family safe, the more likely they were to survive. This translates well into hockey because it’s not only a risky sport, but requires athleticism. When measured against other sports regarding ten aspects of athleticism (endurance, strength, power, speed, agility, flexibility, nerve, durability, hand-eye coordination, and analytic aptitude), ice hockey ranks second behind boxing. It’s hard to watch a guy play hockey and not be impressed by the skill it takes.

The Thrill of The Game

If you’ve ever been to a hockey game, you understand the hype. Unlike other popular sports like baseball or golf, hockey is fast-paced and thrilling. Players skate on ice with the simple goal (pun very much intended) to move a puck onto their side of the ice, and the action doesn’t stop. Most games will leave you on the edge of your seat when a fight starts or an impressive goal is scored, making it exciting for anyone. The dangerous aspect of the game also makes it more interesting, especially if you’re invested in a team or a certain player. In short, you don’t need to be an expert to enjoy it (though knowing the basics does help).

It’s A Gentleman’s Sport

Yes, hockey is a very physical and rough sport, but that doesn’t make it any less gentlemanly. Traditions like the handshake at the end of every playoff series promote good sportsmanship, and the NHL even gives out awards for the most gentlemanly players like the Lady Byng Trophy, which is rewarded to a "player adjudged to have exhibited the best type of sportsmanship and gentlemanly conduct combined with a high standard of playing ability." The trophy has been a tradition since 1925, proving that, despite being known for fighting, the league has always encouraged gentlemanly conduct.

The Hottest Hockey Players And Where To Follow Them

Tom Wilson, 30 - Washington Capitals

With a reputation for stirring the pot on the ice, it’s safe to say that Wilson is for the girls who have a thing for bad boys. The bad news is that he married longtime girlfriend Taylor Pische in 2022, but the good news is they’re adorable together and welcomed their first child, Teddy, last May.

Follow him on Instagram here.

Mat Barzal, 27 - New York Islanders

If you’ve spent any time on the hockey romance side of #BookTok (more on that later), you’re well aware of Barzal and his smoldering gaze. He’s rather private about his personal life, which we don’t mind simply because we love a man of mystery.

Follow him on Instagram here.

Tyler Seguin, 33 - Dallas Stars

There’s a stereotype that hockey players love getting tattoos, and there’s a good chance Seguin started it. A favorite among millennial hockey girlies, he was arguably the most eligible bachelor in the league before getting married in 2023. He and his wife, Kate, welcomed their daughter, Wren, in January.

Follow him on Instagram here.

Matthew Tkachuk, 27 - Florida Panthers

Tkachuk went viral last year for how he and his family wholesomely celebrated his Stanley Cup win, but also went viral during the 4 Nations Face-Off for causing trouble on the ice. This proves he’s multi-faceted, loves his family, and loves America, and how much more could you ask for in a man?

Follow him on Instagram here.

Shane Pinto, 24 - Ottawa Senators

All it took was one reel on the Ottawa Senators Instagram account to make Pinto a favorite among the girls. In the video, he simply introduces himself before taking fans behind the scenes of NHL Media Day, and the comments speak for themselves. Some of our favorites are “No babe that was great,” “I didn't hear a word that man said,” and “All of a sudden I really love hockey…” 

Follow him on Instagram here.

Alexander Wennberg, 30 - San Jose Sharks

Wennberg went viral a few years back for being the center of a controversy that nearly broke the hockey romance side of #BookTok. Because of Wennberg’s good looks, many #BookTok creators saw some of their favorite book characters in him and projected their fantasies onto him (that bordered on sexual harassment), ultimately forgetting that he’s a real person with a wife and kids. While it’s completely harmless to acknowledge he’s attractive from afar, this controversy exposed the dark side of parasocial relationships and sexualizing celebrities. The bright side is that Wennberg and his wife, Felicia, handled the situation with class and grace, making us like them even more. 

Follow him on Instagram here.

Dylan Larkin, 28 - Detroit Red Wings

Larkin not only gets to achieve the dream of being the star captain of his hometown team but also gives back to his community through various charities and by opening a hockey school in Waterford Township, Michigan. He's also represented Team USA several times, and we'd love to see him on the roster if NHL players are allowed to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Follow him on Instagram here.

Jonathan Toews, 36 - Free Agent

We were hesitant to include Toews on this list because he’s not currently active in the NHL, but finding out he’s planning a comeback after healing health issues due to Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome put him back on our radar. He won not one, not two, but three Stanley Cups during his tenure as the captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, and we’d love to watch his comeback as much as we love just looking at him. And did we mention that he’s passionate about teaching public school children about nutrition?

Follow him on Instagram here.

Roman Josi, 34 - Nashville Predators

Anyone who follows sports knows how rare it is for an athlete to spend their entire career in one city, making Josi a token of loyalty. He's also dedicated to his family and philanthropic work in Nashville, making him beloved both on and off the ice.

Follow him on Instagram here.

Jack Hughes, 23 - New Jersey Devils

Another favorite of the #BookTok and Gen Z girlies, Hughes is one of the most entertaining players in the league. We love him for his skills on the ice, old-school Justin Bieber vibes, and patriotic love for his country, which we saw in the 4 Nations Face-Off. Unfortunately, he won’t be playing for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury, but we know he’ll be back and better than ever next season.

Follow him on Instagram here.