Ice Hockey Players
More From Ice Hockey Players
Fans of ice hockey would definitely agree that it is such an interesting sport to watch, especially when the likes of Wayne Douglas Gretzky, Alexander Ovechkin, and Sidney Crosby are battling it out on the field! Though played across several countries, ice hockey is most popular in Canada where it is considered the official national winter sport. Thus, it comes as no surprise that some of the best known ice hockey players like George Abel, Martin Brodeur, Charline Labonté, and Kim St-Pierre hailed from the nation. Ice hockey, as a sport, is believed to have evolved in the 18th and 19th century United Kingdom before spreading to other countries. Canadian lawyer and athlete James George Aylwin Creighton is credited with popularising the sport in Canadian cities while American industrialist Malcolm Greene Chace is said to have pioneered the sport of ice hockey in the United States. Over the past few decades, the sport has become increasingly popular in the Nordic countries as well. Check out this section to know more about some of the greatest ice hockey players.
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1
Wayne Gretzky(One of the Greatest Ice Hockey Players in the History of the National Hockey League)
Birthdate: January 26, 1961
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Brantford, Canada
Nicknamed "The Great One,” Wayne Gretzky is a four-time Stanley Cup Champion and a six-time All-Star record-breaker. The Hockey Hall of Fame inductee played for four NHL teams from 1979 to 1999, was the leading scorer in NHL history, and served as the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes.
2
Jaromír Jágr
(Czech Ice Hockey Player and An Olympic, World, and European Champion)
Birthdate: February 15, 1972
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Kladno, Czechia
Legendary Czech ice hockey player Jaromír Jágr is known as one of the finest right wingers of his time. A 2-time World Champion and an Olympic gold medalist, he is also known for his stints with NHL teams such as the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Boston Bruins.
3
Mario Lemieux(One of the Greatest Ice Hockey Players of All Time)
Birthdate: October 5, 1965
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Montreal, Canada
Canadian former professional ice hockey player Mario Lemieux spent his entire career with the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing parts of 17 National Hockey League (NHL) seasons. A gifted playmaker and fast skater, he is considered to be one of the best players of all time. With a 0.754 career goals-per-game average, he ranks second in NHL history, behind only Mike Bossy.
Birthdate: April 29, 1988
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Canada
Chicago Blackhawks captain and three-time Stanley Cup-winning ice-hockey player Jonathan Toews became the second-youngest NHL captain ever, at 20. Known as Captain Serious, he is not the one to be found in the middle of any controversy. He was named to the 100 Greatest NHL Players list in 2017.
5
Tim Horton
(Canadian Professional Ice Hockey Defenceman)
Birthdate: January 12, 1930
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Cochrane, Ontario, Canada
Died: February 21, 1974
6
Sidney Crosby(One of the Greatest Ice Hockey Players of All Time)
Birthdate: August 7, 1987
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Canadian professional ice hockey player Sidney Crosby is the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). Widely regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of all time, he made his professional debut in 2005. Immediately rising to stardom, he has continued to impress the audience with his powerful gameplay.
Birthdate: September 17, 1985
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
Alexander Ovechkin is a Russian ice hockey player who currently captains the Washington Capitals, a popular team which competes in the National Hockey League (NHL). Considered one of the greatest players of all time, Alexander Ovechkin has won prestigious awards, such as the Rocket Richard Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy, Lester B. Pearson Award, and Calder Memorial Trophy.
8
Gordie Howe
(Canadian Professional Ice Hockey Player)
Birthdate: March 31, 1928
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Floral, Saskatchewan, Canada
Died: June 10, 2016
9
Martin Brodeur
(Canadian-American Former Professional Ice Hockey Goaltender)
Birthdate: May 6, 1972
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Birthdate: November 19, 1988
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Buffalo, New York, United States
11
Bobby Hull
(One of the Greatest Ice Hockey Players of All Time)
Birthdate: January 3, 1939
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Point Anne, Belleville, Canada
Died: January 20, 2023
12
Brett Hull
(Canadian–American Former Ice Hockey Player and General Manager)
Birthdate: August 9, 1964
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Belleville, Ontario, Canada
13
Bobby Orr(One of the Greatest Ice Hockey Players of All Time)
Birthdate: March 20, 1948
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Parry Sound, Canada
Canadian ice-hockey star Bobby Orr is known for his 12-year NHL career, 10 of which were spent playing for the Boston Bruins. His Stanley Cup win in 1970 marked the Bruins’ first title in 29 years. Post-retirement, the septuagenarian Hockey Hall of Fame inductee has also experimented with golf.
14
Chris Chelios
(American Former Professional Ice Hockey Defenseman)
Birthdate: January 25, 1962
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
15
Patrick Roy
(Canadian Former Professional Ice Hockey Goaltender and Coach)
Birthdate: October 5, 1965
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
16
Mark Messier
(Canadian Former Professional Ice Hockey Centre)
Birthdate: January 18, 1961
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
17
Eric Lindros
(Canadian Former Professional Ice Hockey Player)
Birthdate: February 28, 1973
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: London, Ontario, Canada
18
Steve Yzerman
(Canadian Former Professional Ice Hockey Player)
Birthdate: May 9, 1965
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Cranbrook, Canada
19
Sergei Fedorov
(Russian Former Professional Ice Hockey Player and the Current Head Coach)
Birthdate: December 13, 1969
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Pskov, Russia
20
Joe Sakic
(Canadian Professional Ice Hockey Executive and Former Player)
Birthdate: July 7, 1969
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Burnaby, Canada
21
Pavel Bure
(Russian Former Professional Ice Hockey Player Who Played the Right Wing Position)
Birthdate: March 31, 1971
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
22
Teemu Selänne
(Former Finnish Ice Hockey Player Who Played as a Winger)
Birthdate: July 3, 1970
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Helsinki
Teemu Selänne is a Finnish retired ice hockey player who played as a winger. Dubbed the Finnish Flash, Teemu is the highest scoring player from Finland in the history of the National Hockey League (NHL). In 2017, he became only the second Finn after Jari Kurri to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
23
Peter Forsberg
(One of the Greatest Players in the History of Ice Hockey)
Birthdate: July 20, 1973
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Örnsköldsvik, Sweden
Peter Forsberg is a Swedish former ice hockey player. Forsberg is considered one of the greatest players in the history of ice hockey. He is best known for winning a gold medal at the 1994 and 2006 Winter Olympics. Peter Forsberg was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame and the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
24
Guy Lafleur
(Canadian Professional Ice Hockey Right Winger)
Birthdate: September 20, 1951
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Thurso, Quebec, Canada
Died: April 22, 2022
25
Dominik Hašek
(Former Czech Ice Hockey Player Who Played as a Goaltender)
Birthdate: January 29, 1965
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Pardubice, Czechia
Dominik Hašek is a Czech retired ice hockey player who played as a goaltender. He is counted among the greatest goaltenders and is credited with leading his national team to its first Olympic gold medal. In 2014, he was made an inductee of the Hockey Hall of Fame. In 2017, Hašek was mentioned in the 100 Greatest NHL Players list.
26
Paul Kariya
(Canadian Former Professional Ice Hockey Winger)
Birthdate: October 16, 1974
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
27
Maurice Richard
(Canadian Professional Ice Hockey Player)
Birthdate: August 4, 1921
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Died: May 27, 2000
28
Chris Pronger
(Canadian Former Professional Ice Hockey Defenceman and a Former Advisor to the Florida Panthers)
Birthdate: October 10, 1974
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Dryden, Ontario, Canada
29
Terry Sawchuk
(Canadian Professional Ice Hockey Goaltender)
Birthdate: December 28, 1929
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Died: May 31, 1970
30
Mike Modano
(American Former Professional Ice Hockey Player)
Birthdate: June 7, 1970
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Livonia, Michigan, United States
31
Hayley Wickenheiser
(Canadian Former Ice Hockey Player and Four-Time Olympic Gold Medalist)
Birthdate: August 12, 1978
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Shaunavon, Canada
32
Mike Bossy
(Canadian Professional Ice Hockey Winger)
Birthdate: January 22, 1957
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Died: April 15, 2022
33
Börje Salming
(Swedish Ice Hockey Player)
Birthdate: April 17, 1951
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Kiruna, Sweden
34
Manon Rhéaume
(Canadian Former Ice Hockey Goaltender)
Birthdate: February 24, 1972
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Beauport, Quebec, Canada
35
Ray Bourque
(Former Ice Hockey Player - Holds Records for Most Career Goals, Assists & Points By a Defenceman in the NHL)
Birthdate: December 28, 1960
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Saint-Laurent, Montreal, Canada
36
Brendan Shanahan
(Canadian Professional Ice Hockey Executive and Former Player)
Birthdate: January 23, 1969
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Mimico, Ontario, Canada
37
Duncan Keith
(Canadian Former Professional Ice Hockey Defenceman)
Birthdate: July 16, 1983
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
38
Phil Esposito
(The First Ice Hockey Player to Score More Than 100 Points in a Season)
Birthdate: February 20, 1942
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
39
Grant Fuhr
(Canadian Former Ice Hockey Goaltender)
Birthdate: September 28, 1962
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Spruce Grove, Alberta, Canada
40
Luc Robitaille
(Canadian–American Professional Ice Hockey Executive and Former Player)
Birthdate: February 17, 1966
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
41
Mats Sundin
(Swedish Former Professional Ice Hockey Player Centreman)
Birthdate: February 13, 1971
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Bromma, Sweden
42
Stan Mikita
(Canadian Ice Hockey Centre)
Birthdate: May 20, 1940
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Sokolče, Vlachy, Slovakia
Died: August 7, 2018
Birthdate: May 13, 1989
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
P.K. Subban is a Canadian ice hockey player who currently plays as a defenceman for the NHL's New Jersey Devils. In 2013, Subban was adjudged the NHL's top defenceman and was honored with the Norris Trophy. Also known for his philanthropic efforts, Subban promised in 2015 that he would help raise $10 million by 2022 for the Montreal Children's Hospital.
44
Nicklas Lidström
(Swedish Former Professional Ice Hockey Defenceman)
Birthdate: April 28, 1970
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Krylbo, Avesta, Sweden
45
Ken Dryden
(Politician, Ice hockey player)
Birthdate: August 8, 1947
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Hamilton, Canada
46
Paul Coffey
(Canadian Former Professional Ice Hockey Defenceman)
Birthdate: June 1, 1961
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Weston, Ontario, Canada
47
Brooks Laich(Canadian Former Professional Ice Hockey Forward)
Birthdate: June 23, 1983
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Wawota, Canada
Canadian former ice-hockey player Brooks Laich is known for his successful stints with NHL teams such as the Ottawa Senators and the Los Angeles Kings. He also won a silver medal for Canada at the 2003 World Junior Championships. He is associated with charities related to autism and multiple sclerosis.
48
Jacques Plante
(Canadian Professional Ice Hockey Goaltender)
Birthdate: January 17, 1929
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Notre-Dame-du-Mont-Carmel, Quebec, Canada
Died: February 27, 1986
Birthdate: July 2, 1979
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: London, Canada
Canadian–American–Swiss ice-hockey player Joe Thornton, or “Jumbo Joe,” currently plays for the NHL team Toronto Maple Leafs. He previously played for the San Jose Sharks and the Boston Bruins. He is one of 13 players with 1,000 NHL assists and also won an Olympic gold for Canada.
50
Jack Hughes
(American Professional Ice Hockey Center)
Birthdate: May 14, 2001
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Orlando, Florida, United States