The quest for the best ice hockey player in the world
In the rich history of ice hockey, there have been remarkable individuals who left a lasting legacy on the sport. These players showcased a notable combination of skills, leadership abilities, and passion, capturing the hearts of fans and earning their place among the greatest to ever grace the ice. In this article, let’s explore the exceptional caliber of this great sport by highlighting the 10 best ice hockey player in the world through the following post on kingsoccertips.com.
Who is the best ice hockey player in the world?
10. Guy Lafleur
“The Flower” Guy Lafleur was a right winger who began his career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1971. Lafleur is one of the greatest NHL players of all time and was the first overall pick in the 1971 NHL Draft. He stayed with the Canadiens until 1985 when he requested a trade due to severe disagreements with head coach Jacques Lemaire. After his request was denied by the general manager, Lafleur retired. He returned briefly to the NHL in 1988, playing for the New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques.
Lafleur had an illustrious career, winning 5 Stanley Cups. He won the Art Ross Trophy three times and the Hart Memorial Trophy two times. Lafleur also earned the Lester B. Pearson Award and Conn Smythe Trophy, while being named to the NHL All-Star Team six times. He was the first player to score 50 goals and 100 points in six consecutive seasons, solidifying his place among the greatest NHL players of all time. Lafleur’s exceptional skills and achievements have led many to consider him one of the best ice hockey players in the world.
In 1988, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was recognized as one of the NHL’s 100 greatest players in history in 2017 and received the Order of Hockey in Canada in 2022. Unfortunately, Lafleur passed away in April shortly after receiving this honor.
9. Steve Yzerman
Steve Yzerman is one of the greatest NHL players of all time and is often regarded as the best ice hockey player in the world. The Detroit Red Wings selected him fourth overall in the 1983 NHL Draft. He played all 1,514 NHL games with the Red Wings, where he served as their captain for 22 years. Yzerman’s remarkable playing career led to his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009. Currently, he serves as the general manager of the Detroit Red Wings.
Yzerman burst onto the scene, earning a spot on the NHL All-Rookie Team for the 1983–84 season after scoring 87 points in 80 games. It wasn’t until the 1988–89 season that he won his first major award, the Ted Lindsay Award. Yzerman led Detroit to its first Stanley Cup championship in over four decades in 1997, a feat he repeated in 1998. Upon retiring in 2006, he amassed several individual awards, including the Frank J. Selke Trophy and the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy.
His humility is also a well-known trait, especially in his approach to surpassing Mario Lemieux in total NHL goals. In an interview with ESPN, Yzerman remained composed when asked about this achievement.
No matter your team allegiances, a leader like Steve Yzerman would be a tremendous asset. Consider his impressive goal-scoring record and contributions to lifting three Stanley Cups. It’s easy to understand why he ranks on our list of the greatest NHL players. It’s easy to understand why he ranks on our list of the greatest NHL players and is frequently recognized as the best ice hockey player in the world.
8. Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull, a left winger, began his career with the Chicago Hawks. Hull later played for the Winnipeg Jets and Hartford Whalers. During his time in the NHL, he was known for his powerful slap shot and incredible speed on the ice. He scored over 50 goals in nine seasons throughout his legendary career. In 1966, Hull scored 54 goals, setting a record of 97 points in an NHL season.
However, Hull was dissatisfied with the Blackhawks’ salary structure and team performance. He signed a lucrative contract with the World Hockey Association (WHA), which no longer exists, and quickly became a standout player. Hull won three Art Ross Trophies, two Hart Memorial Trophies, and one Stanley Cup. He was named the WHA’s Most Valuable Player twice and was the NHL’s leading goal scorer seven times. Hull’s remarkable career achievements solidify his reputation as one of the best ice hockey players in the world.
7. Marcel Dionne
Marcel Dionne, known as ‘The Little Beaver’ from Drummondville, Quebec, Canada, played center in the NHL for 18 seasons. He played for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and New York Rangers from 1971 to 1989. He played a total of 1,348 games, scoring a combined 731 goals and 1,771 points throughout his career.
Dionne is the best ice hockey player in the world. In his rookie season with Detroit in 1971, he made an impressive debut with 77 points. However, his best season was undoubtedly the 1979–80 season, during which he scored an incredible 137 points, tying with Wayne Gretzky for the league lead in points. Dionne was awarded the Art Ross Trophy for leading the league in scoring, surpassing Gretzky by just two goals. This was the only time he won this award. His notable performances in the late 1970s and early 1980s earned him the Lester B. Pearson Award in 1979 and the Lady Byng Trophy in 1975.
Dionne’s contributions to the NHL were so significant that in January 2004, he was featured on Canada Post stamps as part of the NHL All-Stars collection, alongside five other legendary players. His remarkable achievements will be remembered for years to come. He will always be an inspiration to millions of ambitious hockey players worldwide.
6. Mark Messier
Mark Messier began his professional career as a center in the WHA with the Indianapolis Racers. After five appearances with the Racers, he moved to the Cincinnati Stingers. Messier briefly played for the Houston Apollos in the WHA, which eventually helped him begin his NHL journey in 1979. He spent much of his career with the Edmonton Oilers, but in 1991, they traded him to the New York Rangers, where he played until 1997. He then signed as a free agent with the Vancouver Canucks, where he played for three seasons before returning to the Rangers and retiring.
Messier had a successful NHL career spanning four decades, during which he set numerous records and won several Stanley Cups. He participated in 15 impressive NHL All-Star Games and was named to the NHL First All-Star Team four times, twice as a left winger and twice as a center. Messier is the only NHL player to captain two championship-winning teams to the Stanley Cup, winning six titles. He won two Hart Memorial Cups and one Conn Smythe Trophy. Messier scored 1,887 points in his regular-season career, ranking third on the all-time list. These accomplishments solidify his status as the best ice hockey player in the world.
After a legendary 25-season NHL career, Messier retired in 2004. Many teammates and admirers, including the great Wayne Gretzky, praised him with glowing tributes.
5. Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby is one of the greatest NHL players of all time. He is one of the most dangerous players for the Pittsburgh Penguins, leading them to unprecedented success in the NHL. Crosby is a true legend of the sport, with numerous awards and achievements marking his impressive career. He was the first overall draft pick in 2005 and has played for the Penguins ever since. He has captained the team and inspires his teammates with remarkable skills and leadership abilities.
Crosby has set many records throughout his career, including becoming the youngest NHL player to score over 100 points in a season. In his second season, he led the league with 120 points, winning the Art Ross Trophy and solidifying himself as the best ice hockey player in the world. Over the years, Crosby has won two Art Ross Trophies, two Hart Memorial Trophies, and three Ted Lindsay Awards, among many others. He has also won three Stanley Cups and two Maurice Richard Trophies while making eight appearances in the NHL All-Star Game.
Despite his success, the Cole Harbour-born NHL All-Star remains humble and dedicated to his craft on the ice. He continues to push himself to new heights, striving to be the best player and captain he can be. Whether on or off the ice, Crosby remains a role model for sports fans, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
4. Bobby Orr
Bobby Orr, born in Parry Sound, Ontario, played defense for the Boston Bruins for ten seasons. He then had two seasons with the Chicago Hawks before retiring in 1978. He revolutionized the role of defenseman in ice hockey by leveraging his scoring ability, speed, and playmaking skills. To this day, he remains the only defenseman to have won two Art Ross Trophies, an award given to the highest-scoring player in the league.
Speaking of Orr’s accomplishments, he holds the record for the most points and assists in a season as a defenseman. He also won three consecutive Hart Trophies as the league’s MVP and eight consecutive Norris Trophies, both NHL records. While Orr only won two Stanley Cups, he scored the game-winning goal and was the playoff MVP. He was one of the first players to use an agent to negotiate contracts and the first NHL player to sign a million-dollar sports contract.
Orr remains a beloved figure in the world of ice hockey to this day. His contributions to the sport were not just entertainment for fans during games. He completely changed how defensemen play and altered the landscape of player contracts. While there are players with similar skills and strengths as Orr, few have had such a lasting impact.
3. Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux, also known as “The Magnificent One”, was the center for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He spent his entire career with the Penguins; however, he had to take a hiatus from 1997 to 2000 to focus on health issues. During this period, Lemieux was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, causing him to miss the 1994–95 season. Injuries plagued Lemieux throughout his successful career. Out of a possible 1,430 regular-season games, he could only play 915.
Despite these challenges, Lemieux’s career was still illustrious, and he won back-to-back Stanley Cups in the 1990-1991 and 1991-1992 seasons. He won six Art Ross Trophies for leading the league in points, three Hart Memorial Trophies, four Ted Lindsay Awards, and two Conn Smythe Trophies. Widely regarded as the best ice hockey player in the world, Lemieux was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997 after his first retirement, making him the third NHL player to be inducted into the Hall after retiring and then returning to play.
In 1988, Lemieux achieved greatness by scoring five different types of goals to lead his team to victory over the New Jersey Devils. His goals included a power-play goal, a short-handed goal, an even-strength goal, a penalty shot goal, and, most significantly, an empty-net goal. This remarkable feat stands as a testament to his determination and perseverance.
2. Gordie Howe
Gordie Howe, nicknamed “Mr. Hockey”, is one of the greatest NHL players of all time. He began his career with the Detroit Red Wings in 1946, playing as a right winger. Howe played for the Red Wings until 1971, establishing himself as a dominant force in the NHL. He then moved to the Houston Aeros, a team in the newly established rival league, the WHA. Howe played for the Aeros until 1977 and then moved to the New England Whalers for two seasons. He played his final professional season with the Whalers, who were later renamed the Hartford Whalers upon the NHL-WHA merger.
Howe played professional hockey for an incredible 26 seasons in the NHL and six seasons in the WHA, totaling 2,186 games. He holds the NHL record for most seasons played and is second all-time in NHL goals scored. Howe won six Art Ross Trophies, four of which were in consecutive seasons. He also won four Stanley Cups and six Hart Memorial Trophies. He was selected for 23 All-Star Games over five decades.
Some of Howe’s records remain unbroken, including the most NHL regular-season games played with one team in a career. He is the player with the most consecutive seasons scoring 20 or more goals in NHL history. His impact on the sport extends beyond statistics, as he was revered for his durability, skill, and longevity.
1. Wayne Gretzky
“The Great One”, Wayne Gretzky, is the greatest NHL player of all time. He had a successful and enduring career starting in 1978 with the Indianapolis Racers in the WHA. That season, he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers, who joined the NHL when the WHA folded in 1979. Gretzky remained with the Oilers until 1988 when they controversially traded him to the Los Angeles Kings. He played for the Kings until the 1995–96 season when they traded him to the St. Louis Blues. His time with the Blues was brief before he moved to the New York Rangers to finish his career.
Gretzky rightfully holds the top spot on our list due to his remarkable achievements. He holds the NHL record for most career points, career goals, and goals in a single regular season. Throughout his career, he won 10 Art Ross Trophies, seven with the Oilers and three with the Kings. Gretzky won five Ted Lindsay Awards and nine Hart Memorial Trophies, seven of which were consecutive. He also won the Lady Byng Trophy five times, playing for three different franchises. Upon his retirement in 1999, he was immediately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and the NHL retired his number 99 league-wide.
Conclusion
The title of “best ice hockey player in the world” is not easily earned, but those who hold it are marked by their exceptional skill, unwavering determination, and ability to transcend the sport’s limits. From their lightning-fast skates to their precise shots, these athletes embody the pinnacle of hockey excellence. Their talent captivates fans worldwide, inspiring awe with each goal and play. As the sport evolves, so do these players, pushing boundaries and redefining what is possible on the ice. Their legacy is etched in the annals of hockey history, a testament to their enduring impact and unmatched prowess. Indeed, the title of the best ice hockey player in the world is more than just an accolade; it is a symbol of greatness that resonates across generations.
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