100 Best Hockey Players Of All Time
As one of the most popular and exciting sports in the world, hockey has produced some of the greatest players to ever lace up a pair of skates. From the gritty enforcers to the skilled playmakers, the history of the game is filled with players who have left an indelible mark on the sport. In this article, we will be taking a look at the 100 best hockey players of all time.
1. Wayne Gretzky
Known as "The Great One", Wayne Gretzky is widely regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time. Over the course of his career, Gretzky set numerous records and won four Stanley Cup championships. He also won nine Hart Trophies as the NHL's most valuable player and is the all-time leading scorer with 2,857 points.
2. Bobby Orr
Bobby Orr revolutionized the game of hockey with his offensive prowess and smooth skating style. He won two Stanley Cup championships with the Boston Bruins and was a three-time Hart Trophy winner as the NHL's most valuable player. Orr also won eight Norris Trophies as the league's top defenseman.
3. Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux was a dominant force on the ice, with a combination of size, skill, and scoring ability that made him one of the most feared players of his time. He won two Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins and was a three-time Hart Trophy winner. Lemieux also overcame cancer and returned to the NHL to continue his stellar career.
4. Gordie Howe
Known as "Mr. Hockey", Gordie Howe was a legendary player who played professional hockey for an astonishing 32 seasons. He won four Stanley Cup championships and six Hart Trophies as the NHL's most valuable player. Howe was also known for his toughness and physical style of play.
5. Maurice Richard
Maurice Richard, also known as the "Rocket", was a dynamic scorer who helped lead the Montreal Canadiens to eight Stanley Cup championships. He was the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in a single season and was a two-time Hart Trophy winner. Richard was also known for his fiery temper and willingness to stand up for himself and his teammates.
6. Jean Beliveau
Jean Beliveau was a skilled and graceful center who won 10 Stanley Cup championships with the Montreal Canadiens. He was also a two-time Hart Trophy winner and was named to the NHL All-Star team 10 times. In addition to his on-ice success, Beliveau was known for his sportsmanship and leadership qualities.
7. Mark Messier
Mark Messier was a powerful and versatile player who won six Stanley Cup championships over the course of his career. He was a two-time Hart Trophy winner as the NHL's most valuable player and was known for his clutch performances in big games. Messier was also a respected leader, serving as captain for multiple teams throughout his career.
8. Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby is one of the most skilled players in the world today, with a combination of speed, skill, and hockey IQ that makes him a dominant force on the ice. He has won three Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins and has been a two-time Hart Trophy winner. Despite his young age, Crosby is already considered one of the greatest players of all time.
9. Jaromir Jagr
Jaromir Jagr is a prolific scorer who has played for numerous NHL teams over the course of his career. He has won two Stanley Cup championships and is a five-time Art Ross Trophy winner as the league's leading scorer. Jagr is also known for his longevity, having played professional hockey for over 30 years.
10. Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull was a dynamic scorer who led the NHL in goal scoring three times over the course of his career. He won three Art Ross Trophies as the league's leading scorer and also won a Stanley Cup championship with the Chicago Blackhawks. Hull was known for his blazing speed and powerful shot.
11. Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur is widely regarded as one of the greatest goaltenders of all time, with a career that spanned over 20 years. He won three Stanley Cup championships with the New Jersey Devils and is the NHL's all-time leader in wins and shutouts. Brodeur was also a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team Canada.
12. Steve Yzerman
Steve Yzerman was a skilled and tenacious center who led the Detroit Red Wings to three Stanley Cup championships. He was a one-time Hart Trophy winner and is the Red Wings' all-time leader in points. Yzerman was also a respected leader, serving as team captain for many years.
13. Patrick Roy
Patrick Roy is regarded as one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history, with a career that spanned over 20 years. He won four Stanley Cup championships, two with the Montreal Canadiens and two with the Colorado Avalanche. Roy also holds numerous NHL goaltending records, including most playoff wins and most playoff shutouts.
14. Phil Esposito
Phil Esposito was a prolific scorer who won two Stanley Cup championships with the Boston Bruins. He led the NHL in scoring five times and is a two-time Hart Trophy winner. Esposito was also a member of Team Canada's legendary 1972 Summit Series team.
15. Doug Harvey
Doug Harvey was a dominant defenseman who won six Stanley Cup championships over the course of his career. He was a seven-time Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's top defenseman and was known for his strong two-way play. Harvey was also a member of Team Canada's 1972 Summit Series team.
16. Joe Sakic
Joe Sakic was a skilled and clutch player who led the Colorado Avalanche to two Stanley Cup championships. He was a one-time Hart Trophy winner and is the Avalanche's all-time leader in points. Sakic was also a respected leader, serving as team captain for many years.
17. Denis Potvin
Denis Potvin was a dominant defenseman who won four Stanley Cup championships with the New York Islanders. He was a three-time Norris Trophy winner and was known for his strong offensive and defensive skills. Potvin was also a member of Team Canada's 1976 Canada Cup championship team.
18. Tim Horton
Tim Horton was a tough and gritty defenseman who won four Stanley Cup championships with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was also known for his business savvy, as he co-founded the Tim Hortons restaurant chain that is now a Canadian institution.
19. Guy Lafleur
Guy Lafleur was a dynamic scorer who won five Stanley Cup championships with the Montreal Canadiens. He led the NHL in scoring three times and was a three-time Hart Trophy winner. Lafleur was known for his speed and shooting ability.
20. Sergei Fedorov
Sergei Fedorov was a skilled and versatile player who won three Stanley Cup championships with the Detroit Red Wings. He was a one-time Hart Trophy winner and was known for his offensive prowess and two-way play. Fedorov was also a member of the Soviet Union's 1990 and 1991 World Championship teams.
21. Jarome Iginla
Jarome Iginla was a powerful and skilled forward who played for multiple NHL teams over the course of his career. He won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada and is known for his leadership and work ethic on and off the ice.
22. Eddie Shore
Eddie Shore was a dominant defenseman who won two Stanley Cup championships with the Boston Bruins. He was a four-time Hart Trophy winner and was known for his physical play and strong defensive skills.
23. Chris Chelios
Chris Chelios was a tenacious and physical defenseman who played for numerous NHL teams over the course of his career. He won three Stanley Cup championships and was a three-time Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's top defenseman. Chelios was also a member of Team USA's 1996 World Cup of Hockey championship team.
24. Mike Modano
Mike Modano was a skilled and speedy center who played for multiple NHL teams over the course of his career. He won a Stanley Cup championship with the Dallas Stars and was a seven-time NHL All-Star. Modano was also a member of Team USA's 1996 World Cup of Hockey championship team.
25. Patrice Bergeron
Patrice Bergeron is a skilled and defensively responsible center who has won multiple Stanley Cup championships with the Boston Bruins. He has also won numerous awards for his strong two-way play and is considered one of the best defensive forwards in NHL history.
26. Brian Leetch
Brian Leetch was a skilled and offensively gifted defenseman who won a Stanley Cup championship with the New York Rangers. He was a two-time Norris Trophy winner and was known for his smooth skating and strong offensive instincts. Leetch was also a member of Team USA's 1996 World Cup of Hockey championship team.
27. Luc Robitaille
Luc Robitaille was a prolific scorer who won a Stanley Cup championship with the Detroit Red Wings. He led the NHL in goal scoring once and is the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history. Robitaille was also known for his charitable work and community involvement.
28. Stan Mikita
Stan Mikita was a skilled and versatile center who won one Stanley Cup championship with the Chicago Blackhawks. He won four Art Ross Trophies as the NHL's leading scorer and was a one-time Hart Trophy winner as the league's most valuable player. Mikita was also known for his unique "banana blade" stick.
29. Billy Smith
Billy Smith was a tough and clutch goaltender who won four Stanley Cup championships with the New York Islanders. He was known for his aggressive style of play and his ability to perform in big games, earning him the nickname "Battlin' Billy."
30. Marcel Dionne
Marcel Dionne was a skilled and dynamic scorer who won no Stanley Cup championships over the course of his career. He led the NHL in scoring twice and was a two-time Hart Trophy winner. Dionne was also a member of Team Canada's 1976 Canada Cup championship team.
31. Patrick Kane
Patrick Kane is a skilled and creative forward who has won multiple Stanley Cup championships with the Chicago Blackhawks. He has also won numerous awards for his scoring ability and was a Hart Trophy winner in 2016. Kane is known for his exceptional stickhandling and playmaking ability.
32. Scott Niedermayer
Scott Niedermayer was a skilled and offensively gifted defenseman who won four Stanley Cup championships over the course of his career. He was a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team Canada and was known for his smooth skating and strong offensive instincts. Niedermayer was also a member of Team Canada's 2004 World Cup of Hockey championship team.
33. Pavel Datsyuk
Pavel Datsyuk is a skilled and defensively responsible forward who has won multiple Stanley Cup championships with the Detroit Red Wings. He has also won numerous awards for his strong two-way play and is considered one of the best defensive forwards in NHL history. Datsyuk is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Team Russia.
34. Denis Savard
Denis Savard was a skilled and dynamic scorer who played for multiple NHL teams over the course of his career. He won a Stanley Cup championship with the Montreal Canadiens and was a three-time NHL All-Star. Savard was known for his incredible stickhandling and playmaking ability.
35. Teemu Selanne
Teemu Selanne was a prolific scorer who played for multiple NHL teams over the course of his career. He won a Stanley Cup championship with the Anaheim Ducks and was a one-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner as the NHL's leading goal scorer. Selanne was also a member of Team Finland's Olympic bronze medal-winning team in 1998.