The Best Hockey Players of All Time: Legends, Records and Achievements.

Hockey is a sport that has captured the hearts of fans around the world. It is a game of speed, agility, and skill, and some players have truly mastered it to become legends. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best hockey players of all time, their records, and the achievements that have cemented their legacy in the sport.

Wayne Gretzky

Gretzky dominated the game in the 1980s and early 1990s and set numerous records that still stand today. He has scored more goals and assists than any other player in NHL history, with 894 goals and 1,963 assists in his career. Gretzky won four Stanley Cups and nine Hart Trophies as the NHL's most valuable player. His ability to see the ice and make precise passes earned him the nickname "The Great One."

Bobby Orr

Bobby Orr revolutionized the position of defenseman in hockey. He was known for his offensive skills and his ability to skate with the puck. Orr won two Stanley Cups and eight Norris Trophies as the NHL's best defenseman. He also won three Hart Trophies as the NHL's most valuable player. Orr's most famous moment came in the 1970 Stanley Cup Finals when he scored the game-winning goal in overtime to give the Boston Bruins the championship.

Gordie Howe

He was known for his toughness and his ability to score goals. Howe scored 801 career goals in the NHL, which was a record at the time of his retirement. Howe was also known for his durability, playing in 1,767 NHL games.

Gordie Howe, also known as "Mr. Hockey," played 26 seasons in the NHL and is considered one of the most complete players to ever lace up skates. Howe's career spanned from 1946 to 1980, and he played for the Detroit Red Wings, Houston Aeros, and New England Whalers.

Mario Lemieux

Mario Lemieux was a dominant force in the NHL in the 1980s and 1990s. He was known for his size, skill, and scoring ability. Lemieux won two Stanley Cups and three Hart Trophies as the NHL's most valuable player. He retired with 690 goals and 1,033 assists in his career. Lemieux's most impressive achievement came in 1993 when he won the Stanley Cup, the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP, and the NHL scoring title, all in the same season.

Maurice Richard

Maurice Richard was one of the first superstars in NHL history. He was known for his scoring ability and his toughness on the ice. Richard won eight Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens and was the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in a season. He retired with 544 career goals and was the first player in NHL history to score 500 goals.

Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby is one of the most talented players in NHL history. He has won three Stanley Cups and two Hart Trophies as the NHL's most valuable player. Crosby is known for his skill with the puck and his ability to make his teammates better. He has scored 462 goals and 801 assists in his career so far and is still going strong.

Jean Beliveau

Jean Beliveau played for the Montreal Canadiens for 20 seasons and won 10 Stanley Cups. He was known for his leadership on and off the ice and was one of the most respected players in NHL history. Beliveau scored 507 career goals and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1972.

Mark Messier

Mark Messier was a dominant player in the NHL in the 1980s and 1990s. Mark Messier is known as one of the greatest leaders in NHL history. He led his teams to a total of six Stanley Cup championships, two with the Edmonton Oilers and four with the New York Rangers. Messier was known for his physical play, scoring ability, and his leadership qualities, which earned him the nickname "The Messiah" in New York.

 

Messier is the only player in NHL history to captain two different teams to a Stanley Cup victory. He won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player twice, and he was also awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoff MVP in 1984. Messier ranks second all-time in career points with 1,887, trailing only Wayne Gretzky.

 

Messier's most memorable moment came in Game 6 of the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals. With the Rangers facing elimination in a do-or-die game, Messier made a guarantee that the Rangers would win. He then backed up his words by scoring a hat trick to lead the Rangers to victory, forcing a Game 7, which they also won to end a 54-year championship drought in New York.

Off the ice, Messier is known for his charity work and philanthropy. He is a co-founder of the Canada SCORES charity, which provides after-school programs for underprivileged children. Messier's leadership and contributions to the sport have earned him a place in the Hockey Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in 2007.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, hockey has produced some of the greatest athletes of all time. The players mentioned above have all left their mark on the sport, setting records and achieving feats that have cemented their legacy in hockey history. From Wayne Gretzky's dominance in the 1980s to Mark Messier's leadership and clutch performances, each player brought their unique talents and skills to the ice.

 

These legendary players not only entertained fans with their amazing skills but also inspired future generations of hockey players to strive for greatness. Their achievements and contributions to the sport will be remembered for generations to come, and their legacy will continue to inspire hockey fans around the world. It's safe to say that these players will always be remembered as some of the best hockey players of all time.