Hockey has been played for many years, and over time, some players have stood out as the best in the game. These players changed the way the sport is played, broke records, and became legends. From goal scorers to goalies, each of these players made a huge impact on the ice. In this article, we look at the top 10 greatest hockey players of all time and the amazing things they achieved in their careers.
Here’s a table summarizing the stats for the players mentioned in the article
| Rank | Player | Stanley Cups | Career Goals | Career Assists | Career Points | MVP Awards | Trophies | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gordie Howe | 4 | 801 | 1,049 | 1,850 | 6 | Art Ross Trophy (6x), Hart Trophy (6x) | 1946–1980 |
| 2 | Wayne Gretzky | 4 | 894 | 1,963 | 2,857 | 9 | Art Ross Trophy (10x), Hart Trophy (9x) | 1979–1999 |
| 3 | Bobby Orr | 2 | 270 | 645 | 915 | 3 | James Norris Trophy (8x), Conn Smythe Trophy (2x) | 1966–1979 |
| 4 | Mario Lemieux | 2 | 690 | 1,033 | 1,723 | 3 | Art Ross Trophy (6x), Hart Trophy (3x), Conn Smythe Trophy (2x) | 1984–1997, 2000–2006 |
| 5 | Maurice Richard | 8 | 544 | 421 | 965 | 0 | Hart Trophy (1x) | 1942–1960 |
| 6 | Jean Béliveau | 10 | 507 | 712 | 1,219 | 2 | Conn Smythe Trophy (1x), Hart Trophy (2x) | 1950–1971 |
| 7 | Terry Sawchuk | 4 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0 | Vezina Trophy (4x) | 1949–1970 |
| 8 | Steve Yzerman | 3 | 692 | 1,063 | 1,755 | 0 | Lester B. Pearson Award (1x) | 1983–2006 |
| 9 | Jacques Plante | 6 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1 | Vezina Trophy (7x) | 1947–1975 |
| 10 | Alex Ovechkin | 1 | 822 | 658 | 1,480 | 3 | Maurice Richard Trophy (9x), Hart Trophy (3x) | 2005–present |
10. Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin, or “Ovie,” is known as an amazing hockey player. Since joining the NHL in 2005 with the Washington Capitals, he has regularly been one of the top goal scorers. He has won the Maurice Richard Trophy for most goals several times (2008–09, 2013–16, 2018–19, 2020). Ovechkin has also won the Hart Memorial Trophy three times (2008–09, 2013) for being the most valuable player in the league. In 2018, he helped the Capitals win the Stanley Cup. Fans love his energetic personality, and he’s famous for saying things like “Russian machine never breaks” and wearing a fisherman’s hat during a 2009 skills competition.
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9. Jacques Plante
Jacques Plante changed hockey forever. He was a goalie for the Montreal Canadiens and is famous for making face masks standard in hockey. After getting hit in the face with a puck in 1959 and needing 21 stitches, he insisted on wearing a mask. This was a big moment in hockey. Plante was also a great goalie, helping the Canadiens win five straight Stanley Cups from 1956 to 1960. In 1962, he was named the league’s most valuable player and won the Vezina Trophy (given to the best goalie) seven times during his career.
8. Steve Yzerman
Steve Yzerman was key in turning the Detroit Red Wings into one of the best hockey teams, restoring the pride of “Hockeytown.” He was the longest-serving captain in NHL history and led the Red Wings to three Stanley Cup wins (1997–98, 2002). Known for both his scoring and defensive abilities, Yzerman was respected for his quiet and classy leadership.
7. Terry Sawchuk
Many consider Terry Sawchuk the greatest goalie ever. During his 21-year career, he won four Stanley Cups three with the Detroit Red Wings (1952, 1954-55) and one with the Toronto Maple Leafs (1967). He also won four Vezina Trophies (1952-53, 1955, 1965) and had an incredible 447 career wins, including 103 shutouts (a record that wasn’t broken until 2009). Sawchuk paid a high price for his success, getting about 400 stitches before finally wearing a face mask. In 1966, Time magazine showed a picture of his injuries, which shocked many people. Sadly, Sawchuk struggled with depression and alcoholism and died in 1970 at the age of 40 after a fight with a teammate.
6. Jean Béliveau
Jean Béliveau is known as one of the best centers in hockey history. He won 10 Stanley Cups (1956–60, 1965–66, 1968–69, 1971) with the Montreal Canadiens and scored 507 career goals. He was also named the league’s MVP twice (1956, 1964). Béliveau was so outstanding that he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972, just one year after retiring, skipping the usual three-year waiting period.
5. Maurice Richard
Maurice Richard, also known as “The Rocket,” was a record-breaking player. He was the first to score 500 goals and the first to score 50 goals in one season. Over his 18-year career with the Montreal Canadiens, Richard won eight Stanley Cups (1944, 1946, 1953, 1956–60). He was known for his intense playing style and fierce temper. He was a hero to French Canadians, and his suspension in 1955 for fighting led to riots in Montreal, showing how much he was loved.
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4. Mario Lemieux
Standing at 6 feet 4 inches (1.9 meters), Mario Lemieux was famous for his speed and skill. He played 17 years for the Pittsburgh Penguins, winning two Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992. Despite battling Hodgkin lymphoma and missing several seasons, Lemieux scored 690 career goals. After retiring in 1997, he became the majority owner of the Penguins and helped save the team from bankruptcy. He even returned to play for a few seasons before retiring for good in 2006. In 2009, the Penguins won another Stanley Cup, making Lemieux the first person to win as both a player and an owner.
3. Bobby Orr
Bobby Orr is often called the best defenseman in hockey history. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy for best defenseman eight times from 1968 to 1975. While playing for the Boston Bruins, he became the first defenseman to lead the NHL in scoring in 1970 and won the league’s MVP award three times (1970–72). Orr also won two Stanley Cups in 1970 and 1972.
2. Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky, also known as “The Great One,” changed the game with his amazing talent. He holds many records, including 894 career goals. Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers (1984–85, 1987–88) and was named the NHL’s MVP nine times (1980–87, 1989). When he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988, he helped grow the popularity of hockey in the United States.
1. Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe, often called “Mr. Hockey,” scored 801 career NHL goals. He was a key player on the Detroit Red Wings’ “Production Line” and won four Stanley Cups (1950, 1952, 1954–55). Known for his toughness, he earned the nickname “Mr. Elbows” for his aggressive play. Howe didn’t need an enforcer to protect him, unlike some players. He inspired the “Gordie Howe hat trick,” which includes a goal, an assist, and a fight in one game. Howe played until he was 52, which is almost unheard of in hockey.
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