As one of the most exciting and fast-paced sports in the world, ice hockey has attracted millions of fans worldwide. And when it comes to the greatest players in NHL history, there are some names that are simply synonymous with excellence.
Arguably the most iconic and dominant of all of these players is Wayne Gretzky, who has set an unparalleled standard of excellence in the game.
Statistical Dominance
When it comes to the sheer statistical dominance of a player in their sport, Wayne Gretzky is undoubtedly one of the most exceptional athletes of any era. Throughout his career, he set numerous records that have yet to be broken.
He reached the astonishing milestone of 200 points in a single season four times, an achievement that nobody else even came close to. In fact, no other player in NHL history has ever reached even 150 points in a single season.
This kind of dominance extends beyond individual milestones, however. Gretzky won the Hart Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s MVP, a record-setting eight times in his career.
He also led the league in goals scored five times, assists 12 times, and points for an incredible 16 seasons – all records that still stand today.
Greatest Player of All Time
There’s no question that Wayne Gretzky is the most dominant hockey player in NHL history in terms of statistics. But his legacy extends beyond his impressive numbers.
He was and remains an icon of the sport, even to people who have never seen a single game of hockey. For proof of his impact on the game and the league’s awareness of his greatness, consider that retiring the number 99 was a league-wide decision in 2000, out of respect and recognition of what Gretzky had accomplished during his career.
This kind of recognition is uncommon – the only other instance of a league-wide retirement of a player number is Jackie Robinson’s retirement of number 42 across all of baseball.
The Bottom Line
There can be no debate about it, Wayne Gretzky is the greatest hockey player in history. With his unprecedented achievements in the game and his never-to-be-matched influence on the sport, he remains an enduring symbol of excellence and dedication and shows us all what can be accomplished with hard work, passion, and a burning desire to succeed.
Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux, nicknamed “Super Mario,” is recognized as one of the greatest hockey players to ever put on a pair of skates. His legendary career is marked by numerous accolades and accomplishments, both on and off the ice.
In this article, we will delve into two of his career’s most significant aspects: saving the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise and his individual and team achievements.
Saving the Pittsburgh Penguins Franchise
Mario Lemieux was undeniably a superstar on the ice, but he also made a significant impact on the game off the ice. In 1995, The Pittsburgh Penguins were struggling financially, and many believed the franchise would go under.
Enter
Mario Lemieux, who stepped up and bought a controlling interest in the team, creating stability and sparking a resurgence of interest in the team. With Lemieux as a part-owner, the Penguins’ average attendance increased significantly, with fans flocking to see their beloved team play.
The team’s newfound popularity made them a box office attraction not just in Pittsburgh but across the league. Lemieux’s unretiring as a player-coach also brought a renewed sense of confidence to the team.
Through his dedication and passion for the Penguins, Lemieux helped create a legacy that extended beyond his career. The Penguins franchise is now considered one of the NHL’s most successful and respected teams, due in no small part to Lemieux’s leadership and commitment.
Individual and Team Achievements
As a player, Lemieux was nothing short of phenomenal. He ranks sixth on the all-time points leaderboard despite playing fewer games than anyone in the top fifteen.
He was also the fastest player to reach 1,000 points in NHL history. Lemieux won three Art Ross Trophies as the league’s top scorer, twice won the Hart Trophy, and was a member of two Stanley Cup-winning teams with the Penguins.
What is most impressive is that he accomplished all of this while dealing with a number of health issues, including a battle with cancer. One of the most memorable moments of Lemieuxs career came in the 1992 Stanley Cup Final, where he recorded 34 points, including a hat trick in Game 2.
This feat earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy as the series’ most valuable player. Lemieux’s individual success helped elevate his team and made him a defining figure in hockey history.
Mark Messier
Mark Messier, a two-time Hart Trophy winner and six-time Stanley Cup champion, is considered one of the greatest leaders in hockey history. In this article, we will explore his leadership style and legacy, along with his defining moments on the ice.
Leadership and Legacy
Mark Messier spent the majority of his career in the shadow of his friend and teammate Wayne Gretzky, but that didn’t stop him from carving out his own legacy. His leadership skills on and off the ice were unparalleled, earning him the nickname “The Captain” and making him a revered figure in the sport.
Messier’s greatest leadership moment came in 1994 when he led the New York Rangers to their first Stanley Cup in 54 years. He carried his team through intense play-off battles, famously guaranteeing victory in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
His leadership skills and unparalleled work ethic inspired his teammates and set him apart as one of the greatest leaders in sports history.
Defining Moments
While Messier’s leadership skills were remarkable, his on-ice achievements were also impressive. One of his most defining moments came in the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals against the New Jersey Devils.
With the series tied 3-3, Messier gave a legendary performance in Game 7, scoring a hat-trick to lead his team to victory. Messier’s career is also marked by numerous other accomplishments, including six Stanley Cup championships and the most points scored by a Canadian-born player.
His leadership and individual achievements have made him a defining figure in hockey history, and his legacy is secure as one of the most respected players to ever step onto the ice.
The Bottom Line
Mario Lemieux and
Mark Messier were two of the most influential and successful players in NHL history. Through their leadership skills, individual achievements, and off-ice impact, they helped shape the future of the game and inspired countless fans around the world.
Their legacies are secure, and their accomplishments will forever be remembered as defining moments in hockey history.
Phil Esposito
Phil Esposito is one of the greatest goal scorers in NHL history, amassing an impressive 717 goals in his career. In this article, we will delve into two of his most notable accomplishments: his prowess as a pure goal scorer and his success in the playoffs.
Pure Goal Scorer
Phil Esposito’s goal-scoring ability was unparalleled. He led the league in goal scoring six times and is still the only player in NHL history to have scored more than 70 goals in a season.
In 1970, he broke Bobby Hull’s record for most goals in a single season with an astonishing 76 goals, a record that stood for ten years. Esposito also had a remarkable six-year goal-scoring streak, during which he scored at least 40 goals in each season.
Despite his incredible achievements, he was often overshadowed by his teammate Bobby Orr, who was considered the face of the Boston Bruins during their successful championship run.
Playoff Success
Esposito’s playoff success was just as impressive as his regular-season achievements. He led his team in goals and assists during the playoffs in three of the four championship seasons he won with the Bruins.
In 1970, he scored thirteen goals and 27 points in only 14 playoff games. Esposito’s success in the playoffs extended beyond his time with the Bruins.
After being traded to the New York Rangers in 1975, he continued to dominate the postseason, leading the Rangers to a number of successful playoff runs. His ability to consistently perform in high-pressure situations solidified his reputation as one of the greatest playoff performers in NHL history.
Jean Beliveau
Jean Beliveau is considered one of the greatest players in Montreal Canadiens history, a franchise with a storied history of success. In this article, we will explore two of his most significant moments: his Stanley Cup dominance and his signature moment in the 1969 semifinals.
Stanley Cup Dominance
Jean Beliveau was a key member of the Montreal Canadiens during their heyday in the 1950s and 60s. Over the course of his career, he won an impressive ten Stanley Cups as a player, the second-most in NHL history.
During one stretch, he won nearly half of the Canadiens’ championships himself. Beliveau also holds the record for most individual championships in NHL history, having won the Hart Trophy twice as league MVP and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1965.
His dominance over the course of his career made him a revered figure among hockey fans and solidified his place in history as one of the greatest players ever.
Signature Moment
Jean Beliveau’s signature moment came in the 1969 semi-final against the Boston Bruins. In Game 4, with the series tied at 2-2, Beliveau scored an overtime goal to give the Canadiens a 4-3 victory.
The goal remains one of the most iconic moments in Canadiens history and helped push the team towards their eventual championship. Beliveau’s dedication and skill resulted in him being named captain of the Canadiens, and he used his position to inspire his team and lead them to great success.
His work ethic and determination helped cement his reputation as one of the greatest players and leaders in NHL history.
The Bottom Line
Phil Esposito and
Jean Beliveau were two of the most accomplished players in NHL history, both known for their incredible skill and contributions to their respective teams. Esposito’s scoring ability and playoff success are still talked about today, while Beliveau’s Stanley Cup dominance and signature moment continue to inspire hockey fans around the world.
Their contributions to the game have helped shape the NHL into the league it is today.
Steve Yzerman
Steve Yzerman, nicknamed “Stevie Y,” is a Detroit Red Wings icon and one of the most successful hockey players in NHL history. In this article, we will delve into his early career and individual accomplishments and his legacy as a Stanley Cup champion.
Early Career and Accomplishments
Yzerman entered the league with a bang, scoring 87 points in his rookie season and earning the Calder Trophy as the league’s rookie of the year. He quickly established himself as one of the most talented players in the league, with a knack for scoring goals.
Yzerman had several spectacular individual seasons, including a 155-point season in 1988-89. He also holds the record for the most shots on goal in a single season with 402, a testament to his unwavering confidence and ability to score.
Despite these individual achievements, Yzerman’s true impact is seen through his leadership skills and his ability to elevate his team. In 1996, he helped lead the Red Wings to a record-setting 62 wins, an impressive achievement that showcased his incredible talent as both a player and a leader.
Stanley Cup Success and Legacy
Yzerman’s legacy as a Stanley Cup champion is undeniable. He helped lead the Red Wings to three championships in his career, with the first coming in 1997.
In Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, Yzerman scored the game-winning goal in double overtime, a moment that has been etched in hockey history. Yzerman’s career was not without its struggles, however, particularly in his pursuit of the Stanley Cup.
For years, he and the Red Wings couldn’t seem to get over the hump, despite many successful regular seasons. But in 1998, Yzerman finally raised the cup as captain of the Red Wings, ending a long drought for the team and cementing his legacy as a true champion.
Yzerman’s impact on the Red Wings organization and the NHL as a whole cannot be overstated. His leadership skills and unwavering dedication to the game have helped make him one of the most respected and beloved players in hockey history.
Honorable Mentions
While there are plenty of great players in NHL history, there are a few notable mentions who have made significant contributions to the game. In this article, we will explore
Joe Sakic,
Bryan Trottier, and
Stan Mikita.
Joe Sakic
Joe Sakic is considered one of the most talented players in NHL history, with a career point-per-game average of 1.19. He scored a number of iconic playoff goals in his career, including a memorable game-winning goal in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final in 2001.
Sakic was also a catalyst for the Colorado Avalanche franchise, helping lead them to two Stanley Cups during his career.
Bryan Trottier
Bryan Trottier was an integral part of the New York Islanders dynasty in the 1980s, a team that won four consecutive Stanley Cups. Alongside Mike Bossy, Trottier formed one of the NHL’s most formidable duos, scoring over 1,300 combined points in their careers.
Trottier also won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins later in his career, cementing his legacy as one of the most successful players in NHL history.
Stan Mikita
Stan Mikita was a cornerstone of the Chicago Blackhawks franchise for over two decades. He won the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP twice, the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s leading scorer four times, and the Lady Byng Trophy as the player who best exempl