The Most Legendary Hockey Players of All Time

Professional hockey began in Montreal, Canada when the National Hockey League (NHL) was founded in 1917. But the sport dates back even further with amateur leagues and the first game ever played took place in Montreal on March 3, 1875. Often considered the birthplace of modern hockey, Canada is also home to the Birthplace of Hockey Museum, located in Nova Scotia.

Hockey is a well-known sport with a high-paced, intense atmosphere that has drawn in an increasingly larger group of fans to the game. A sport renowned for its aggressive, and perhaps violent nature, the competition during the game radiates off the ice. It's because of this intensity that many argue that hockey is the best sport ever. Players need excellent stamina, skill, strength, speed, awareness, and adaptability. To do all this, and do it well, is considered a feat of greatness to many.

While the National Hockey League is chock-full of incredible athletes who have skated their way across the ice and into hockey fans' hearts, there is just something about the athletes on this list. (Other incredible athletes who also need stamina, speed, and skills are soccer players like Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez who play for Inter Miami CF.)

To excel in an intense sport like hockey takes many factors. Players must be coachable, adaptable, and willing to go the extra mile to hone their abilities. The athletes on this list have incredible skill, as shown by their movements on the ice, not just their numbers. From Wayne Gretsky to Sidney Crosby, the best athletes to play hockey all have something that outshines the rest.

To compile a list of the most legendary hockey players of all time, 24/7 Tempo consulted multiple sites, including sports reports and the official National Hockey League website. This list is in no particular order. (Don't forget to read our list of the most shocking scandals that rocked the sports world.)

• Seasons played: 20 seasons
• Team(s): Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers
• Position: Center

Gretzky holds numerous awards for his time on the ice, including four Stanley Cup victories, nine Hart trophies, and five Lady Byng trophies. Gretzky led a 20-year career and then retired in 1999. Twenty-five years later, he is still considered the GOAT, the greatest of all time, in the sport of hockey.

• Seasons played: 12 seasons
• Team(s): Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks
• Position: Defenseman

Bobby Orr is considered the most outstanding defenseman to ever come through the NHL. Bruins coach Don Cherry stated, "He broke the mold because before that, defensemen were big, slow guys. They just cleared the guys out and got the puck up. Bobby changed the whole face of the game and how it's played."

Orr was the top NHL scorer in two seasons, earning him the Art Ross trophy both times. It's hard to imagine a defenseman reaching such an achievement, but Orr did it. He also received the Hart Memorial trophy three times and the Conn Smythe trophy twice.

• Seasons played: 17
• Team(s): Pittsburgh Penguins
• Position: Center

Mario Lemieux had a way of motivating those around him to play harder, especially his opponents. He won the Stanley Cup two seasons in a row and received MVP honors. Aside from his incredible talent on the ice, he has immense perseverance, overcoming Hodgkin's disease and a back injury. After returning to hockey, he was stronger than ever.

• Seasons played: 18
• Team(s): Montreal Canadiens
• Position: Right wing

Maurice Richard is called "The Rocket" because of his speed, and with his eight Stanley Cup wins and 544 goals scored, he has long been considered the greatest hockey player of the 1950s.

• Seasons played: 23
• Team(s): Chicago Black Hawks, Winnipeg Jets, Hartford Whalers
• Position: Left wing

Bobby Hull was nicknamed "The Golden Jet" because of his hair color – golden – and his speed. When he shot the puck, its speed and velocity were akin to a bullet. Hull's scoring ability made him notorious, and he also achieved the feat of scoring 50 points in 50 games.

• Seasons played: 20
• Team(s): Montreal Canadiens
• Position: Center

Jean Beliveau holds incredible records – he has won two Hart trophies and the Conn Smyth trophy, but one of his most impressive feats is winning 10 Stanley Cup championships as a player and seven as the Canadiens' executive vice president.

Beliveau had respect for other people, and his demeanor with those around him and his incredible skill made him one of the most respected hockey players ever. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.

• Seasons played: 37
• Team(s): Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames
• Position: Right wing

Jaromir Jagr started his rookie year for the Penguins in 1990. As one of the leading scorers in the NHL, he is regarded as an excellent player with incredible offensive skills. Although he is not in the Hockey Hall of Fame, many still consider Jagr one of the top players in the NHL.

Jagr has the longest playing career in the history of professional ice hockey. Plans are underway for him to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2024.

• Seasons played: 25
• Team(s): Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks
• Position: Center

Mark Messier is often described as an incredible leader who was equally loyal and dedicated to his team and sport. During his career, he won six Stanley Cups. He also received two Hart Memorial trophies as MVP and had great success in coaching and management roles and philanthropy work.

• Seasons played: 17
• Team(s): Habs (followed by a three-year retirement), New York Rangers, Quebec Nordiques
• Position: Right wing

Guy Lafleur had incredible speed and smooth skating ability, but after three seasons, he chose not to wear a helmet during his games. At one point, it was not a requirement to wear a helmet, and his speed, choices, and skating left fans in awe. He was nicknamed "The Flower" because his skill on the ice was quite elegant and because of the translation from his surname into English. He earned five Stanley Cups through the 1970s.

• Seasons played: 26
• Team(s): Detroit Red Wings, Houston Aeros, Hartford Whalers
• Position: Right wing

Gordie Howe had immense longevity in the NHL. Before Gretzky came along, Howe held the record for goals and points in the NHL. He was also the oldest player in the NHL before retiring at 52, a player who was strong and agile and honed his incredible skills throughout his career. He also won four Stanley Cups and for many years, was often compared to the energizer bunny because of his ability to keep going and going.

• Seasons played: 18
• Team(s): Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers
• Position: Center

Marcel Dionne may not have won a Stanley Cup but he scored over 700 goals and earned over 1,700 points, which is quite impressive. He is said to have had plenty of humility, and his skill is often underappreciated.

• Seasons played: 22
• Team(s): Detroit Red Wings
• Position: Center

Steve Yzerman was a center with incredible passing skills and longevity. He ranks on the NHL's all-time scoring list with 1,514 points, 692 goals and 1,063 assists. He also won three Stanley Cup championships, the Selke trophy, and the Masterton trophy. One of his best accomplishments was improving the Red Wings Detroit team.

• Seasons played: 19 and counting
• Team(s): Pittsburgh Penguins, Canadian Mens National Hockey Team
• Position: Forward, center

Considered one of the top players in the NHL, Crosby is in his 19th season and seemingly keeps getting better. His statistics show that he is highly determined and passionate about hockey. He has three Stanley Cups, three Lindsay Awards, and two Art Ross trophies, as well as 584 goals and 991 assists. His skill is essential to his team.

• Seasons played: 18
• Team(s): Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers
• Position: Center

Phil Esposito is ranked in the top ten best Hockey players in the 2023 edition of The Athletic and in addition to receiving two Stanley Cups, he scored over 1,000 points in his career. He was an influential player whose talents are still remembered.

• Seasons played: 19 seasons and counting
• Team(s): Washington Capitals, Russian National Ice Hockey Team
• Position: Left wing, forward

Alex Ovechkin, also known as "the Great Eight," was a top scorer in the NHL, with 848 goals and 1,416 points. Since he is still playing the game, the question has been asked if he will be able to surpass Gretzky. While it is quite possible, considering he is not far behind Gretzky in goals, Ovechkin has said that he believes he will retire after his contract ends.

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