Fans took to social media to express their surprise at
Letestu inhaling a packet of mustard
in what became a viral clip as the Jets played the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday.
Jets coach Paul Maurice and Letestu discussed the method to the mustard-based madness on Saturday.
"Over the years, I've seen various guys do it on and off... I just had a little bit of a cramping problem, asked for it... It helps. It works. I didn't have any issues the rest of the game," Letestu said.
Letestu said was dealing with cramps early in the third period, but passed on water or a sports drink
or even pickle juice
for the regular hot dog topping. He said he only needed one packet and was fine the rest of the way.
"There are a few guys in here that [cramping] is like clockwork in the third period," Letestu said. "I've taken just about everything for it, salt packets, pickle juice, but here it seems to be mustard... It tastes like crap for a couple of seconds, and the cramp goes away."
For Maurice, the choice of mustard is standard operating procedure. And he's seen plenty more than that in almost 25 years coaching in the NHL.
"[Jets forward] Adam Lowry buys it by the bucket," Maurice said. "I've seen it for a while, but I've seen more guys eat hot dogs on the bench over 20 years. I've had a goalie hiding a dog in his mitt."
Letestu doesn't plan on switching cramp-relieving tactics anytime soon.
"I don't discriminate against mustard. Mustard's all right by me," Letestu said.
NHL.com staff writer Tim Campbell contributed to this report.
