NHL Best Friend Quiz: Teammate or Rival?

Hockey is a sport where guys can knock each other’s teeth out for 60 minutes of game time, then go grab dinner together afterward. Sounds crazy? Welcome to the NHL, where brutality on the ice somehow coexists with solid male friendship beyond it. And if you’ve ever wondered which hockey superstar you’d click with, our quiz will help you figure it out.

What’s the Friendship Culture Like in the NHL?

The NHL isn’t just a league where millionaires chase a puck around. It’s an exclusive club with its own rules, traditions, and most importantly, incredibly strong bonds between players. Take Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin from Pittsburgh. These two have been playing together since 2006, won three Stanley Cups, and still hang out away from the arena. Malkin once admitted that Crosby helped him adapt to America when the Russian forward could barely speak English.

Or remember the story of Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron from Boston. Marchand is known as one of the dirtiest players in the league, but Bergeron always had his back. When Bergeron retired in 2023, Marchand cried at the press conference. And this is the same guy who regularly licks opponents during fights!

In NHL locker rooms, there are dozens of unwritten rules. Rookies bring coffee to veterans, whoever loses at cards buys dinner for the whole team, and whoever scores their first career goal gets the puck as a keepsake from their teammates. These little things create a brotherhood atmosphere that extends far beyond contracts and trades.

How Does Character Affect the Game?

Hockey coaches often talk about “locker room chemistry,” and these aren’t empty words. A team can be stacked with stars, but if they don’t get along, success won’t come. Tampa Bay won two straight Stanley Cups not just because of Kucherov and Vasilevskiy’s talent, but because Steven Stamkos created a family atmosphere in the team.

The captain’s character sets the tone for the entire team. Alexander Ovechkin is known as the life of the party – he throws barbecues for the whole team, invites young players to his home, and is the first to celebrate teammates’ goals. No wonder Washington became one of the most tight-knit teams in the league under him.

On the other hand, there are loner-type players like Connor McDavid. Brilliant on the ice, but pretty reserved in life. His teammates respect him for his professionalism, but rarely become close friends. And this works too – Edmonton builds their game around his individual mastery.

What Will This Quiz Show You?

Our quiz isn’t a test of NHL statistics knowledge. We took real character traits of league stars and turned them into questions about your preferences. Love loud parties? You might get along with Ovechkin. Prefer a quiet evening with video games? Then Auston Matthews is your guy.

The quiz analyzes your answers across several key parameters:

• Social activity – whether you’re an extrovert or introvert, love big crowds or a tight circle of friends
• Risk attitude – ready for spontaneous adventures or prefer to plan everything ahead
• Sense of humor – appreciate trolling and pranks or prefer intellectual humor
• Life priorities – career and achievements or work-life balance

Each question is tied to real stories from NHL players’ lives. For example, the question about your favorite way to spend weekends is based on interviews where stars talked about their hobbies. The result will show not just a player’s name, but explain why exactly he matches your character. You’ll learn interesting facts about his life off the ice, interests, and how he communicates with friends.

Hockey Stars Who Could Become Your Best Friends

Hundreds of talented guys play in the NHL, but we chose six with the brightest and most different personalities. From the wild party animal Ovechkin to the introverted gamer Matthews – each represents a certain personality type. And one of them will definitely resonate with you.

Alexander Ovechkin – The Party King

Ovi is 230 pounds of pure energy and positivity. The Washington captain is famous for his epic celebrations after victories. When the Capitals won the Stanley Cup in 2018, Ovechkin partied with the trophy around Washington for three straight days. He bathed with it in fountains, drank beer from it, and let every fan he met hold it.

If you love being the center of attention, adore karaoke, and are ready to dance until dawn – Ovechkin is your guy. He’s that friend who’ll drag you out of the house on Friday night and make you forget all your problems.

Sidney Crosby – The Reliable Perfectionist

Crosby is the complete opposite of Ovechkin. The Pittsburgh captain is known for his discipline and attention to detail. He arrives at practice two hours early and leaves last. Everything in his house is in its place, and his daily routine is scheduled by the minute.

But this doesn’t mean Sid is boring. He’s a loyal friend who’ll help you move, give solid advice, and never forget your birthday. If you need a friend you can count on in any situation – Crosby is the perfect choice.

Auston Matthews – The Gamer Introvert

The Toronto center is a new-generation superstar. Matthews scores 60 goals per season, but off the ice prefers a quiet life. His passion is video games. Auston streams Call of Duty on Twitch and can spend hours discussing Fortnite tactics.

If your ideal Friday is pizza, couch, and co-op in the latest FIFA, Matthews would make a great partner. He won’t drag you to clubs, but will happily discuss the latest season of “The Mandalorian.”

Nathan Mackinnon – The Fitness Fanatic

Colorado’s MacKinnon is obsessed with healthy living. His diet consists of chicken breast, broccoli, and protein shakes. Nate gets up at 5 AM for runs and goes to bed at 9 PM. His Instagram is an endless feed from the gym.

Need a friend who’ll motivate you for morning workouts? MacKinnon is your choice. He’ll create a nutrition program for you, show proper squat technique, and send motivational messages at 6 AM.

Brad Marchand – The Trolling King

Marchand is the most hated player in the NHL among opponents and the most beloved among teammates. His sense of humor borders on insanity. Brad can prank anyone, including himself. His Twitter is a collection of memes and jabs at other teams.

If you appreciate dark humor, love pranks, and don’t get offended by jokes at your expense, Marchand will be the life of your crew. Just keep him away from your parents – he’ll definitely tell them something compromising.

Nikita Kucherov – The Mysterious Genius

Tampa’s Kucherov is one of the most talented players in the league, but also one of the most private. He rarely gives interviews, doesn’t like cameras, and prefers to let his pucks do the talking. Nikita might seem cold, but those close to him know him as a thoughtful and deep person.

If you value intellectual conversations, love playing chess, and prefer quality over quantity in friendship, Kucherov is your option. He won’t call every day, but when you really need help, he’ll show up first.

Conclusion

NHL players aren’t just athletes with million-dollar contracts. They’re real people with their own quirks, hobbies, and personalities. Someone among them could become your best drinking buddy, someone your video game partner, and someone your morning run motivator.

Our quiz will help determine which NHL star you have the most in common with. Maybe you’ll be surprised by the result, or maybe it’ll confirm what you already suspected. Either way, it’s a great way to learn something new about yourself while diving into the amazing world of professional hockey, where even the toughest guys know how to be real friends.