In the history of the NHL, there have been many great hockey players. But who are the best of the best? Here are the top 10 greatest hockey players of all time.
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky is widely considered the greatest hockey player of all time. He played 20 seasons in the NHL, winning four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers. Gretzky holds nearly 60 NHL records, including the most goals (894), assists (1,963) and points (2,857) in a career. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999.
One cannot fully understand the impact Gretzky made in hockey. He broke his own records and managed to become a cultural figure in the NHL. His impact is seen in various industries and online gambling is one of them. A lot of casino operators including BetChan Casino have decided to make slots based on the NHL.
Bobby Orr
Bobby Orr is considered one of the best defensemen of all time. He played 12 seasons in the NHL, winning two Stanley Cups with the Boston Bruins. Orr holds the record for most goals by a defenseman in a season (46) and is the only defenseman to win the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s leading scorer. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1979.
Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He played 17 seasons in the NHL, winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lemieux is the only player in NHL history to score more than 200 points in a season, doing so twice. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997.
Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He played 26 seasons in the NHL, winning six Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings. Howe is the only player in NHL history to play in five different decades. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.
Jean Beliveau
Jean Beliveau is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He played 20 seasons in the NHL, winning 10 Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens. Beliveau is the second player in NHL history to score 1,000 points, doing so in 1,219 games. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.
Maurice Richard
Maurice Richard is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He played 18 seasons in the NHL, winning eight Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens. Richard is the NHL’s all-time leader in goals per game, scoring 508 goals in 978 games. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1961.
Terry Sawchuk
Terry Sawchuk is considered one of the greatest goalies of all time. He played 21 seasons in the NHL, winning four Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings. Sawchuk holds the NHL record for most shutouts in a career, with 103. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1971.
Bernie Geoffrion
Bernie Geoffrion is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He played 15 seasons in the NHL, winning six Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens. Geoffrion is the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season, doing so in 1960-61. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.
Johnny Bucyk
Johnny Bucyk is considered one of the greatest players of all time. He played 21 seasons in the NHL, winning two Stanley Cups with the Boston Bruins. Bucyk is the Bruins’ all-time leader in goals, assists and points. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1981.
Ed Belfour
Ed Belfour is considered one of the greatest goalies of all time. He played 17 seasons in the NHL, winning a Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars. Belfour is the Stars’ all-time leader in games played, wins and shutouts. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011.