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If you’ve arrived early at the United Center for a Blackhawks game or have driven by and wondered why there’s a herd of people outside before the gates even open, the answer is almost always bobbleheads.

The miniature statues with large heads are one of the most sought-after giveaways in sports and a popular way for an organization to honor players who have had a monumental impact on the franchise.

Additionally, bobblehead night tends to be lucky for the respective player. Marian Hossa recently tallied two goals on his night (Feb. 9 vs. Arizona) and Jonathan Toews scored a goal when his statue was distributed (Jan. 20 vs. Arizona).

RedEye asked current Hawks what it’s like to be immortalized in bobblehead form.

Patrick Sharp, forward

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I know my daughter likes all the bobbleheads. I’ve collected them all since 2005. She plays with them all and calls them “Daddy’s hockey friends.” There’s about 10 Kane and Toews bobbleheads, different ones. There’s a couple Sharps. There’s a lot of Hossas, there’s a Coach Q in there, Savvy [Denis Savard], all the old guys. So it’s pretty special to have those bobbleheads I guess.

They always try to have one [defining] characteristic. One year I had big, Patrick Swayze-type hair. I don’t know if that was a compliment or not. They try to get the skin tone down. Sometimes I got a better tan than other years. I like the one year the one [for] Kaner, they had his little white mouthguard out the side of his mouth. That was a cool feature.

Andrew Shaw, forward

[Mine] was gorgeous. It was a good-looking bobblehead. Everyone is going to be putting it at the front of their bobbleheads for sure. They won’t be sticking it in the back anywhere.

Seabs [Brent Seabrook] gave me a hard time about having one. [He said,] “Oh, you’ve been here for a cup of tea and you already got a bobblehead.” Guys just give each other hard times about it. Guys have said to Toews and Kane, “Oh is this your 14th or 15th bobblehead already?” Just friendly chirps going around the dressing room.

It’s huge that the organization does that for people. I think it was pretty neat. To see yourself as a bobblehead, it’s pretty funny I guess.

Marian Hossa, forward

Definitely it’s nice to see the little guy moving the head. I think kids are really happy when they receive it.

[RedEye pointed out that the bobbleheads seem to be lucky for players.] You’re right. But [players] don’t think about these things [on the ice]. Obviously when it happens, it’s great. But like I said, it’s a cool thing to have, but when the puck drops you don’t even think about it.

Brandon Saad, forward

It’s definitely pretty neat, to see that and collect and give it to friends and family. It’s definitely a moment you’ll remember.

I don’t remember too much [about the day mine was passed out]. I don’t know how much it actually looked like me. It’s pretty funny. It’s kind of like your night out there, so I think they’ll definitely be some jokes around.

Scott King is a RedEye special contributor. @scottkingmedia

For more Blackhawks coverage in RedEye sports, click here.

TUESDAY’S GAME

Blackhawks vs. Florida

7:30 p.m. CSN

Note: It’s Niklas Hjalmarsson bobblehead night.