This is a professional ice hockey league that has 32 teams spread across North America, with 25 in the United States and seven in Canada. There is no greater professional ice hockey league in the world than this one, and it is the most important professional sports league in both the United States and Canada. The league was formed on November 26, 1917 at the Windsor Hotel in Montreal.
Players from approximately 20 countries are currently playing in the NHL, which attracts many highly skilled players from around the world. In this article, we are not discussing the NHL, but we are discussing the Top NHL players of all time, so without wasting any time, let’s get started on the discussion of the Top NHL players of all time.
1• Wayne Gretzky
Canadian hockey player and coach Wayne Gretzky played for four teams in the National Hockey League from 1979 to 1999 Wayne Gretzky is the leading goal scorer, assist producer and point scorer in NHL history Born on January 26, 1961, Wayne Gretzky is the top assist producer, goal scorer, and point scorer in NHL history.
2• Gordie Howe
His first 25 seasons were with the Detroit Red Wings and he passed away on June 10, 2016 at the age of 90. Gordie Howe was born on March 31, 1928, and played professional ice hockey for 26 years in the World Hockey Association.
3• Bobby Orr
Orr was born on March 20, 1948, and his full name is Robert Gordon Orr. He was an internationally acclaimed former professional ice hockey player, widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time. He was crowned the MVP of the 1976 Canada Cup international hockey tournament.
4• Sidney Crosby
As an ice hockey center, Crosby plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League. Nicknamed “Sid the Kid” and dubbed “The Next One”, Crosby was selected first overall by the Penguins in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Crosby was born August 7, 1987 in Kelowna, British Columbia.
5• Maurice Richard
Maurice Richard, born on August 4, 1921, was considered one of the most iconic players in the history of the Montreal Canadiens. A professional ice hockey player from Canada, he played in 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Montreal Canadiens.
6• Mark Messier
A former professional ice hockey center of the National Hockey League, Mark Messier played for the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks during his 25 year NHL career. He was born on January 18, 1961, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
7• Phil Esposito
A former professional ice hockey player and coach, Phil Esposito is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. He played for the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers during his 18 years in the National Hockey League. He was born on February 20, 1942.
8• Alexander Ovechkin
A Russian professional ice hockey winger and captain of the National Hockey League, Alexander Ovechkin is one of the greatest goal scorers in the history of the game and holds the NHL record for the most power play goals. Born in 1985, Alexander Ovechkin stands tall as one of the greatest hockey players ever.
9• Bobby Hull
Known as “The Golden Jet” due to his blonde hair and speedy skating, Bobby Hull was the highest scoring left wing in National Hockey League history. Born on January 3, 1939, he is a Canadian former hockey player who is regarded as one of the best players of all time.
10• Bryan Trotter
A former professional ice hockey center, who played 18 campaigns in the National Hockey League and won four Stanley cups with the islanders, two with the penguins, and one as an assistant coach, Bryan Trotter was born on July 17, 1956 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
11• Jari Kurri
As a former professional hockey player and five-time Stanley Cup champion, he was the first Finnish player to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001. He is currently the owner of jokerit and the general manager of the team. He was born on May 18, 1960.
12• Henri Richard
The Canadian professional ice hockey player Henri Richard played center for the Montreal Canadians in the national hockey league from 1955 to 1975. He was nicknamed “Pocket Rocket” following his older brother, Canadian hockey legend and fellow hall of famer Maurice “Rocket” Richard. He was born on February 29, 1936, in Quebec City.
13• Adam Oates
Former professional ice hockey player and current co-head coach for the New Jersey Devils and former head coach of the Washington Capitals, Adam Oates was born on August 27, 1927.
14• Toe Blake
Joseph Hector “Toes” Black was a Canadian ice hockey player and coach in the national hockey league. He played for the Montreal maroons and Montreal canadiens between 1935 and 1948. He was born on August 21, 1912.
15• Guy Lafleur
Guy Lafleur is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was the first player in National Hockey League history to score 50 goals in six consecutive seasons as well as 50 goals and 100 points in six consecutive years. He was born on September 20, 1951 in Ontario.
Conclusion
The history of the NHL has many more famous players, but in this small article, it would be impossible to include all of them, and all of the players that are listed above can be considered some of the greatest NHL players. If you are aware of some other top players who belong to the NHL, please let us know.
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