50 Best Hockey Players Of All Time
When it comes to hockey, there have been numerous legendary players who have left an indelible mark on the game. Choosing the best among them is not an easy task, as each one of them has contributed to the sport in their unique way. However, we have compiled a list of the 50 best hockey players of all time, who have revolutionized the game and earned their place in hockey history.
1. Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky is undoubtedly the greatest hockey player of all time. He dominated the game for two decades, setting numerous records that still stand today. Gretzky won four Stanley Cups and nine Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL. He retired in 1999 with 894 goals and 1,963 assists, for a total of 2,857 points.
2. Bobby Orr
Bobby Orr is widely considered the greatest defenseman of all time. He revolutionized the position with his offensive prowess and unparalleled skating ability. Orr won two Stanley Cups and three Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL. He retired in 1978 with 915 points in just 657 games.
3. Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe was one of the most complete players in hockey history. He played for 32 seasons, winning four Stanley Cups and six Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL. Howe retired in 1980 with 801 goals and 1,049 assists, for a total of 1,850 points.
4. Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux was one of the most gifted players to ever grace the ice. He won two Stanley Cups and three Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL. Lemieux retired in 2006 with 690 goals and 1,033 assists, for a total of 1,723 points.
5. Maurice Richard
Maurice Richard was the first player to score 50 goals in a season and the first to reach 500 career goals. He won eight Stanley Cups and one Hart Trophy as the most valuable player in the NHL. Richard retired in 1960 with 544 goals and 421 assists, for a total of 965 points.
6. Jean Beliveau
Jean Beliveau was one of the most elegant and skilled players in hockey history. He won ten Stanley Cups and two Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL. Beliveau retired in 1971 with 507 goals and 712 assists, for a total of 1,219 points.
7. Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull was one of the most feared scorers in hockey history. He won one Stanley Cup and two Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL. Hull retired in 1980 with 610 goals and 560 assists, for a total of 1,170 points.
8. Terry Sawchuk
Terry Sawchuk was one of the greatest goaltenders in hockey history. He won four Stanley Cups and four Vezina Trophies as the best goaltender in the NHL. Sawchuk retired in 1970 with a career goals-against average of 2.51.
9. Doug Harvey
Doug Harvey was one of the most dominant defensemen in hockey history. He won six Stanley Cups and seven Norris Trophies as the best defenseman in the NHL. Harvey retired in 1969 with 371 points in 1,113 games.
10. Eddie Shore
Eddie Shore was one of the toughest and most physical players in hockey history. He won two Stanley Cups and four Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL. Shore retired in 1940 with 284 points in just 551 games.
11. Henri Richard
Henri Richard was one of the greatest centers in hockey history. He won 11 Stanley Cups and one Conn Smythe Trophy as the most valuable player in the playoffs. Richard retired in 1975 with 358 goals and 688 assists, for a total of 1,046 points.
12. Stan Mikita
Stan Mikita was one of the most skilled and versatile players in hockey history. He won two Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL and four Art Ross Trophies as the leading scorer. Mikita retired in 1980 with 541 goals and 926 assists, for a total of 1,467 points.
13. Guy Lafleur
Guy Lafleur was one of the most exciting and dynamic players in hockey history. He won five Stanley Cups and three Art Ross Trophies as the leading scorer. Lafleur retired in 1991 with 560 goals and 793 assists, for a total of 1,353 points.
14. Phil Esposito
Phil Esposito was one of the greatest goal scorers in hockey history. He won two Stanley Cups and two Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL. Esposito retired in 1981 with 717 goals and 873 assists, for a total of 1,590 points.
15. Patrick Roy
Patrick Roy was one of the most clutch goaltenders in hockey history. He won four Stanley Cups and three Conn Smythe Trophies as the most valuable player in the playoffs. Roy retired in 2003 with a career goals-against average of 2.54.
16. Jaromir Jagr
Jaromir Jagr is one of the most prolific scorers in hockey history. He won two Stanley Cups and one Hart Trophy as the most valuable player in the NHL. Jagr is still playing in the NHL, with 766 goals and 1,155 assists, for a total of 1,921 points.
17. Mark Messier
Mark Messier is one of the greatest leaders in hockey history. He won six Stanley Cups and two Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL. Messier retired in 2004 with 694 goals and 1,193 assists, for a total of 1,887 points.
18. Ray Bourque
Ray Bourque is one of the greatest defensemen in hockey history. He won one Stanley Cup and five Norris Trophies as the best defenseman in the NHL. Bourque retired in 2001 with 1,579 points in 1,612 games.
19. Tim Horton
Tim Horton was one of the most reliable and durable defensemen in hockey history. He won four Stanley Cups and one Norris Trophy as the best defenseman in the NHL. Horton retired in 1974 with 115 goals and 403 assists, for a total of 518 points.
20. Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur is one of the greatest goaltenders in hockey history. He won three Stanley Cups and four Vezina Trophies as the best goaltender in the NHL. Brodeur retired in 2015 with a career goals-against average of 2.24.
21. Glenn Hall
Glenn Hall was one of the most consistent goaltenders in hockey history. He won two Stanley Cups and three Vezina Trophies as the best goaltender in the NHL. Hall retired in 1971 with a career goals-against average of 2.49.
22. Bryan Trottier
Bryan Trottier was one of the most complete players in hockey history. He won six Stanley Cups and one Hart Trophy as the most valuable player in the NHL. Trottier retired in 1994 with 524 goals and 901 assists, for a total of 1,425 points.
23. Jari Kurri
Jari Kurri was one of the most skilled players in hockey history. He won five Stanley Cups and one Lady Byng Trophy as the most gentlemanly player in the NHL. Kurri retired in 1998 with 601 goals and 797 assists, for a total of 1,398 points.
24. Dave Keon
Dave Keon was one of the greatest centers in hockey history. He won four Stanley Cups and one Lady Byng Trophy as the most gentlemanly player in the NHL. Keon retired in 1982 with 396 goals and 590 assists, for a total of 986 points.
25. Bernie Parent
Bernie Parent was one of the most dominant goaltenders in hockey history. He won two Stanley Cups and two Vezina Trophies as the best goaltender in the NHL. Parent retired in 1981 with a career goals-against average of 2.55.
26. Frank Mahovlich
Frank Mahovlich was one of the most gifted scorers in hockey history. He won six Stanley Cups and one Lady Byng Trophy as the most gentlemanly player in the NHL. Mahovlich retired in 1974 with 533 goals and 570 assists, for a total of 1,103 points.
27. Joe Sakic
Joe Sakic was one of the greatest captains in hockey history. He won two Stanley Cups and one Hart Trophy as the most valuable player in the NHL. Sakic retired in 2009 with 625 goals and 1,016 assists, for a total of 1,641 points.
28. Bill Durnan
Bill Durnan was one of the greatest goaltenders in hockey history. He won two Stanley Cups and two Vezina Trophies as the best goaltender in the NHL. Durnan retired in 1950 with a career goals-against average of 2.36.
29. Ted Lindsay
Ted Lindsay was one of the toughest and most physical players in hockey history. He won four Stanley Cups and one Art Ross Trophy as the leading scorer. Lindsay retired in 1960 with 379 goals and 472 assists, for a total of 851 points.
30. Chris Chelios
Chris Chelios was one of the most durable and rugged defensemen in hockey history. He won three Stanley Cups and three Norris Trophies as the best defenseman in the NHL. Chelios retired in 2010 with 185 goals and 763 assists, for a total of 948 points.
31. Patrick Kane
Patrick Kane is one of the most skilled and exciting players in hockey today. He has won three Stanley Cups and one Hart Trophy as the most valuable player in the NHL. Kane is still playing in the NHL, with 392 goals and 642 assists, for a total of 1,034 points.
32. Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby is one of the best centers in hockey today. He has won three Stanley Cups and two Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL. Crosby is still playing in the NHL, with 462 goals and 801 assists, for a total of 1,263 points.
33. Pavel Datsyuk
Pavel Datsyuk is one of the most skilled and versatile players in hockey today. He has won two Stanley Cups and three Selke Trophies as the best defensive forward in the NHL. Datsyuk is currently playing in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), with 316 goals and 513 assists, for a total of 829 points.
34. Martin St. Louis
Martin St. Louis was one of the most dynamic and creative players in hockey history. He won one Stanley Cup and two Art Ross Trophies as the leading scorer. St. Louis retired in 2015 with 391 goals and 642 assists, for a total of 1,033 points.
35. Brett Hull
Brett Hull was one of the most lethal scorers in hockey history. He won two Stanley Cups and one Hart Trophy as the most valuable player in the NHL. Hull retired in 2005 with 741 goals and 650 assists, for a total of 1,391 points.
