Top 20 Best Ice Hockey Players Of All Time
Ice hockey has produced several stars across many decades. Some are household names because of the records they set. Others have become legends because of what they achieved. Some are recognized for their contributions on the ice and for the lasting legacy they left on the game.
Who are the sport’s best ever players? Come with us as we give you the lowdown on the greatest 20 players to have played ice hockey…
20. Joe Sakic
Arguably one of the greatest ever, Joe Sakic is a player who earned plenty of respect. He was an exceptionally consistent player, being one of the stars of the early stars of the Colorado Avalanche and helping to establish them as a top team.
His ability to remain consistent saw him achieve three consecutive 100-point seasons before the team’s move to Colorado when known as the Quebec Nordiques. He captained the team to their first-ever title success, transforming the club from that point on.
19. Martin Brodeur
When thinking of the best ice hockey players of all time to play in the net, goaltender Martin Brodeur is one who deserves recognition.
He became known for his ability to handle the puck, forcing the league to install the trapezoid between the net to stop goalies from leaving with the puck on their sticks. He also had several records that pertained to goaltending, with total wins and shutouts, making the three-time champion one of the very best.
18. Paul Coffey
Paul Coffey had to compete with Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri and others during his career. It makes him a forgotten icon of the 1980s for some, despite achieving so much on the ice.
A defenseman, he scored 1,531 points in his 1,409 games, adding four titles to his career. He still holds several records for a defenseman, and remains among the top 20 in terms of points scored all-time. Still, an underrated figure, he is one of the biggest overlooked ice hockey players in history.
17. Ray Bourque
A Boston Bruins legend, Ray Bourque has been considered one of the best ice hockey players of all time. He and Coffey can be put in the same discussion because of how good he was.
He played a total of 22 years in the league, being named in the All-Star team (across both levels) 19 times in a row, emphasizing his quality on the ice. He also had five Norris trophies, and won the Stanley Cup in his final season as a player with Colorado in 2001. He had 410 goals as a defenseman, holding the current record for the most.
16. Patrick Roy
Perhaps one of the best goaltenders ice hockey has ever seen, Patrick Roy is another who changed the way ice hockey players would play the position. He won the Stanley Cup on four occasions, winning twice with Montreal and Colorado.
What set him apart from the others was his “butterfly” technique. Modern-day goaltenders use this move to try to make their goals as small as possible, highlighting his legacy and influence on the sport.
15. Dominik Hasek
Dominik Hasek is another memorable goaltender who is considered great. He didn’t have a resume as strong or solid as others, but he left a lasting legacy that showed there was more than one way to keep the puck out of the net.
He would disregard the “butterfly” technique, using an unorthodox style to baffle forwards. He used his acrobatic body to put himself in positions that seemed impossible to replicate, keeping the puck out in any way he could, regardless of whether it looked good. As long as it worked, who cares, eh?
14. Mike Bossy
A sharp-shooter, Mike Bossy was exceptional. He is one of the best ice hockey players of all time simply because he knew how to beat a goaltender.
Although his career was cut short by a back injury, he managed to achieve an average of 57.3 goals a season in his 10-year career (752 games played; 0.76 goals per game). He also had nine straight seasons with 50+ goals, helping the New York Islanders to four Stanley Cups between 1980 and 1983.
13. Connor McDavid
One of the current active ice hockey players on our list, Connor McDavid will go down as one of the best ice hockey players of all time. Indeed, his ranking will likely only shoot higher once his career ends.
He is one of a few to be extremely efficient in points, having joined an illustrious crowd in 2024 when he recorded his third consecutive season of 120+ points. He has only failed to score 100+ in two of his years prior to 2025, with the 2025 season looking set to be another where he reaches that mark.
12. Mark Messier
A true leader, Mark Messier can be considered a great of the sport. He combined his leadership qualities with toughness and skill, as he paired up with Wayne Gretzky and provided fans with entertaining hockey viewing.
During his career, he finished up with 1,887 points in 1,756 games, which lands him third in the all-time list for scoring. With many identifying greats based on scoring, it’s unsurprising Messier ranks so highly for so many.
11. Guy Lafleur
Known as “The Flower”, Guy Lafleur was an exceptional player for Montreal in the 1970s. In 17 seasons (of which he had several injuries), he would still achieve 1,353 points in 1,126 games as he led the team to five Stanley Cups and be crowned the MVP twice.
His play was electrifying, as he had flair, speed, and skill that hadn’t been witnessed at the level he consistently produced during his playing era.
10. Nicklas Lidstrom
If it weren’t for another legend of the sport, Nicklas Lidstrom could be considered the greatest defenseman to have ever played hockey. He wasn’t flashy by any means, but he was consistent and remained strong throughout his 20-year career.
Playing for the Detroit Red Wings, the defenseman won four titles in his career, and seven Norris trophies. It wasn’t just defensively where he was solid, as he would quietly put together a solid offensive record. He amassed 1,142 points in 1,564 games, making him one of the most efficient in history.
9. Jean Beliveau
Jean Beliveau is recognized by many in the sport as one of the best ice hockey players of all time. He had a trophy-laden career, winning the biggest prize on no fewer than 10 occasions (including five straight titles).
A star of the game, his legacy was felt right until his death in 2014, with fans continuing to pay homage to him. He was unselfish on the ice throughout his career, and led a team-first example that many would love to replicate. A true leader, Beliveau had skill in abundance which made him a hugely popular player.
8. Maurice Richard
Maurice Richard is a household name. He’s one of the greatest ice hockey players ever because he did so much in a short period of time. For example, he became the first player in NHL history to reach 500 goals, and was also the first to score 50 in 50 games.
It’s no surprise that with the goalscoring efficiency he possessed, the Canadiens would be successful. He won eight titles, with five coming consecutively between 1956 and 1960. Of course, those who follow the sport will recognize the impact of his legacy, as the award for the top scorer is named after him.
7. Sidney Crosby
Another player still active in the sport today (2025), Sidney Crosby will go down as one of the best ice hockey players of all time. He is a natural leader and has been immortalized for his two-way play throughout his professional career.
He’s another player who has had injury trouble that has limited what he has managed to achieve, but he’s still been exceptional. As of the closing stages of the 2025 season, he has 1,685 points across 1,351 games (1,061 assists), making him one of hockey’s true stars.
6. Jaromir Jagr
Jaromir Jagr is one of the purest goal scorers ever. He ranks fourth in the list of all-time goal scorers, having netted 766 during a career that involved playing for several teams. In terms of total points, he is second, having amassed 1,921 in 1,733 games.
His inclusion as one of the greatest ice hockey players is debated among younger fans, as they recognize him during his latter years. However, fans of previous generations will understand just how good he was.
5. Alex Ovechkin
Some will place him higher, some lower. Alex Ovechkin’s place remains undeniable as one of the best ice hockey players of all time. He recently overtook the legend Gretzky for the most goals scored. He is currently on 896, having surpassed the 894 in a similar number of games (1,489 compared to 1,487).
Ovechkin’s longevity makes him an immediate icon, as much as his goalscoring ability. He has long endured criticism for his playoff efforts, but he has put much of that to bed.
4. Mario Lemieux
Argued by many furiously as the best ice hockey player of all time, Mario Lemieux is fourth here. He has been described by so many around the league as the best player ever to grace the ice, and it’s not hard to understand why.
Lemieux was hampered by injuries throughout his career. A back injury was significant, although a cancer diagnosis was devastating. He returned and could have challenged many of Gretzky’s records if he were healthy. His career ended after 17 years, having finished with 1,723 points in just 915 games.
3. Gordie Howe
Affectionately known as “Mr Hockey,” Gordie Howe is an undisputed great. He is one of the ice hockey players who is regularly featured in discussions about the GOAT. Indeed, with a nickname based on the sport’s name, it’s not a shock he is.
Howe was productive throughout his career, playing for multiple organizations and teams between 1946 and 1980. Still, he was extraordinary on the ice whenever he did. He was a standout for the Detroit Red Wings (for whom he played 25 seasons). He amassed 1,850 points (801 goals and 1,049 assists), placing him fourth in the all-time points list across 1,767 games.
2. Bobby Orr
Bobby Orr is credited with changing the way defense is played in ice hockey. He was the first blueliner to dominate in an offensive capacity and an individual that many have since been inspired to tailor their game on.
He totaled 874 points in 596 games. However, he would have so many more if he were not blighted by troublesome knee injuries throughout his career. He still holds a record that has lasted more than 50 years, being the defenseman with the most points scored, after getting 139 in 1970-71 when they won the title.
1. Wayne Gretzky
Hardly a surprise, Wayne Gretzky is our pick for the greatest ice hockey player of all time. He is synonymous with the sport worldwide, with many who have no interest or have never watched hockey knowing who he is because of the impact he had on the sport.
He holds multiple records. At the end of his career in 1999, he had 61. In 2025, he still holds 55 of those. This includes records for the most career points (2,857) and most career assists (1,963). In the 1985-86 season, he managed to score 215 points, eclipsing the 212 he had in 1981-82. In fact, he holds eight of the top ten records for most points scored in a single season, with Lemieux holding the fifth and eighth spots in the top 10.
That’s why he can safely be considered one of the best ice hockey players to have ever graced the ice.
PS: Stats might have changed since the writing/publication of this article.
Last updated: 16.04.25
