Have you noticed the goal horn that goes off for your favorite NHL team lately?
Maybe you didn’t notice because you’re too busy celebrating the goal that’s scored, and that’s the right move.
But if you haven’t? They’re all so different — well, mostly, as you’ll see — with some going up high, some low, and some with chords that either sooth or scare.
With the puck dropping on the 2022-23 season, I decided to listen to all 32 goal horns and rank them (hat tip to Goalhorns.net!). What’s the criteria? Creativity is a plus, and if it scared me out of my office chair, it lost points.
Let’s go:
32
San Jose Sharks
Honestly, it just sounds like a truck stuck in traffic with the driver leaning on the horn.
31
Montreal Canadiens
I live in New York City. I heard this sound all the time, and it’s annoying as heck.
30
Colorado Avalanche
How does a team so good have a horn that’s not as good?
29
Edmonton Oilers
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! TOO SCARY!
28
Vegas Golden Knights
I wish a franchise with so much creativity would have a better horn!
27
Vancouver Canucks
I like going the chord route, but this one is just all over the place.
26
Columbus Blue Jackets
There are a bunch of these that sound all the same, starting with this one.
25
St. Louis Blues
See above.
24
Tampa Bay Lightning
Yep.
23
Toronto Maple Leafs
Also similar.
22
Los Angeles Kings
We’ve reached the “creativity for chords” section. This one is much less frightening than the Oilers’ but still made me jump.
21
Buffalo Sabres
Hoooonnnnnnk!
20
Chicago Blackhawks
19
Dallas Stars
Not bad, but there are better.
18
Calgary Flames
It’s kind of annoying?
17
Minnesota Wild
Also grating.
16
Nashville Predators
Creative but also not music to my ears.
15
Carolina Hurricanes
Sounds like maybe a boat horn? So it gets this spot.
14
Florida Panthers
I know this might be similar to some others above, but it’s a solid HONK.
13
New Jersey Devils
I guess I’m a fan of this kind of honking. Maybe it’s the low tones that are getting me.
12
New York Islanders
A chord that fits pretty well together!
11
Seattle Kraken
That low blast nearly puts it into the top 10.
10
Boston Bruins
I almost feel like I underrated this one.
9
Anaheim Ducks
A real blast.
8
Washington Capitals
I love this intricate chord!
7
Arizona Coyotes
Another chord that just fits well together (note that I’m not grading the music that comes after, but if I did, this would probably grab the top spot).
6
Philadelphia Flyers
A low blast with that nice harmony in the back.
5
Ottawa Senators
Nice and simple: A two-note high honk.
4
New York Rangers
Full disclosure: I grew up with this honk at the many Rangers games I attended. You can accuse me of bias all you want — objectively, this is a lovely goal horn.
3
Detroit Red Wings
Feels old school, just like the franchise!
2
Winnipeg Jets
A train whistle!! I love it!!!!
1
Pittsburgh Penguins
Goodness, you see why it’s No. 1 right? A gorgeous, harmonious chord, almost like they’re saying “TA-DA! WE SCORED!”
