Best Hockey Players of All Time” – this list celebrates the greatest legends ever to step onto the ice. These players changed the game with their incredible skill, leadership, and toughness. From record-breaking scorers to unstoppable goalies, they each left a huge mark on hockey history. Let’s take a look at the Best Hockey Players of All Time

Here Are the Top 10 Best Hockey Players of All Time

10. Jacques Plante

Jacques Plante was a brave and smart goalie for the Montreal Canadiens. In 1959, he was hit in the face by a puck and needed stitches. He then became the first goalie to regularly wear a mask. Plante won seven Vezina Trophies and helped his team win five straight Stanley Cups from 1956 to 1960. He was also named the league’s MVP in 1962. His skill and courage changed goalie safety forever. Jacques Plante is not only one of the top goalies but also a true hockey pioneer. He is the Best Hockey Players of All Time.

Player	Jacques Plante
Position	Goalie
Stanley Cups	6 (1953, 1956–1960)
Vezina Trophies	7
MVP Awards	1 (1962)
Nationality	Canadian

9. Steve Yzerman

Steve Yzerman led the Detroit Red Wings for over 20 years and is known for his leadership and heart. He was the longest-serving captain in NHL history and won three Stanley Cups with the team in 1997, 1998, and 2002. Yzerman could score goals, play defense, and inspire teammates. He became the Best Hockey Players of All Time. He helped bring the Red Wings back to greatness. His calm attitude and class made him loved by fans and respected by players. Yzerman’s legacy is strong, and he remains one of the greatest captains in hockey and the Best Hockey Players of All Time.

Player	Steve Yzerman
Position	Center
Stanley Cups	3 (1997, 1998, 2002)
Captaincy	Longest in NHL history
Team	Detroit Red Wings
Nationality	Canadian

8. Terry Sawchuk

Terry Sawchuk was one of the best goalies of all time. He played 21 seasons and won four Stanley Cups—three with Detroit and one with Toronto. He had 447 career wins and 103 shutouts, a record that lasted for decades. Sawchuk often played without a mask and received hundreds of stitches. He later wore one, like Jacques Plante. His toughness and talent made him a legend. Sadly, his life ended early due to injuries and struggles off the ice. Still, his impact on the game remains strong. He is the Best Hockey Players of All Time. He is the Best Hockey Players of All Time.

Player	Terry Sawchuk
Position	Goalie
Stanley Cups	4 (1952, 1954, 1955, 1967)
Shutouts	103
Career Wins	447
Nationality	Canadian

7. Jean Béliveau

Jean Béliveau was a graceful and powerful center for the Montreal Canadiens. He won 10 Stanley Cups, one of the most in history. He scored over 500 goals and was named MVP twice in his career. Béliveau was loved for his class, leadership, and strong play. When he retired, he was added to the Hockey Hall of Fame without the usual waiting period. His legacy is not only in the records but also in the way he carried himself on and off the ice. He is the Best Hockey Players of All Time.

Player	Jean Béliveau
Position	Center
Stanley Cups	10 (1956–1960, 1965–66, 1968–71)
Career Goals	507
MVP Awards	2 (1956, 1964)
Nationality	Canadian

6. Maurice Richard

Maurice “The Rocket” Richard was a fiery and fearless forward. He was the first NHL player to score 500 career goals and 50 in a single season. Richard played 18 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens and won eight Stanley Cups. Known for his speed, strength, and temper, he inspired many, especially French Canadians. His 1955 suspension caused a huge riot in Montreal. Richard was more than just a player—he was a symbol of passion and pride. He helped change the game and still inspires fans today. Maurice Richard is the Best Hockey Players of All Time..

Player	Maurice Richard
Position	Right Wing
Stanley Cups	8 (1944, 1946, 1953, 1956–60)
Career Goals	544
Nickname	The Rocket
Nationality	Canadian

5. Mario Lemieux

Mario Lemieux was a tall and talented forward who amazed fans with his speed and skill. He scored 690 goals in his career and won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins. And also he is one of the Best Hockey Players of All Time. Lemieux missed many games due to cancer and back problems but always came back strong. He later became the team’s owner and helped them win again. Mario made history by winning as both a player and an owner. His strength, leadership, and grace make him one of the all-time greats in hockey.

Player	Mario Lemieux
Position	Center
Stanley Cups	2 (1991, 1992)
Career Goals	690
Comeback	Beat cancer, returned to play
Nationality	Canadian

4. Bobby Orr

Bobby Orr changed how defensemen played hockey. He was fast, smart, and could score like a forward. He won the Norris Trophy as best defenseman eight times in a row and won two Stanley Cups with the Boston Bruins. Orr was also the first defenseman to lead the league in scoring. He won the MVP award three times. His career was cut short by knee injuries, but his impact on hockey is still strong. Orr made defense exciting and set the standard for generations to come. He is the Best Hockey Players of All Time.

Player	Bobby Orr
Position	Defense
Stanley Cups	2 (1970, 1972)
Norris Trophies	8
MVP Awards	3 (1970–72)
Nationality

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3. Alex Ovechkin

Alex Ovechkin is one of the best goal scorers in NHL history. He started his career in 2005 with the Washington Capitals and quickly became a fan favorite. Ovechkin has won the Maurice Richard Trophy many times for leading the league in goals. In 2025, he broke Wayne Gretzky’s record with the most goals ever. He also won the Stanley Cup in 2018 and has three MVP awards. Ovechkin is powerful, fun, and full of energy, always entertaining both on and off the ice.

Player	Alex Ovechkin
Position	Left Wing
Stanley Cups	1 (2018)
All-time Goals	895+
MVP Awards	3 (2008–09, 2013)
Nationality	Russian

2. Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky, known as “The Great One,” is the most famous name in hockey. He scored 2,857 points in his career, more than anyone else. Gretzky won four Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers and was MVP nine times. He made the game faster and smarter with his amazing passes and plays. When he moved to the Los Angeles Kings, he helped make hockey popular in the U.S. Gretzky changed hockey forever and still holds many records that may never be broken. He is the Best Hockey Players of All Time.

Player	Wayne Gretzky
Position	Center
Stanley Cups	4 (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988)
Career Points	2,857
MVP Awards	9 (1980–87, 1989)
Nationality	Canadian

1. Gordie Howe

Gordie Howe is called “Mr. Hockey” for a reason. He scored 801 goals and played tough, skilled hockey for decades. He won four Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings and was known for scoring, passing, and even fighting. The “Gordie Howe Hat Trick” includes a goal, an assist, and a fight in one game. He is the Best Hockey Players of All Time. Howe played professional hockey until he was 52 years old, showing amazing strength and love for the game. His mix of talent, toughness, and long career makes him number one.

Player	Gordie Howe
Position	Right Wing
Stanley Cups	4 (1950, 1952, 1954, 1955)
Career Goals	801
Known For	“Mr. Hockey,” long career
Nationality	Canadian

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