5 of the Greatest Ice Hockey Players of All Time
Hockey fans argue endlessly about who deserves the title of “greatest ever.” While stats tell part of the story, they miss the magic moments that made these legends larger than life.
Here, ProfitDuel, which offers insights on Sportsbook promo offers, provides its take on the top 5 greatest ice hockey players of all time.
Wayne Gretzky: The Great One
Wayne Gretzky didn’t just break records; he shattered them. With 894 goals and 1,963 assists, his 2,857 career points are so far beyond his nearest competitor’s that many consider the gap unbridgeable.
What made Gretzky special wasn’t size or speed but his uncanny ability to see plays before they happened. He operated like he had the ice mapped in his mind, always three steps ahead of everyone else. His famous quote – “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been” – explains his greatness in simple terms.
When the Edmonton Oilers traded him to Los Angeles in 1988, hockey fandom in Southern California exploded overnight. The “Gretzky Effect” grew the game beyond traditional markets and helped the NHL expand across America.
His list of achievements looks almost made-up: 9 Hart Trophies as MVP, 10 Art Ross Trophies as scoring champion, and 4 Stanley Cups with Edmonton. The league retired his number 99 across all teams, the only player ever given this honor.
Gordie Howe: Mr. Hockey
Before Gretzky came Gordie Howe, the complete package who played at an elite level for an almost unbelievable 26 NHL seasons. Howe’s career spanned from 1946 to 1980, and he was still scoring in the pros in his 50s.
Howe mixed skill and toughness like no one else. He could beat you with a goal, a pass, or his fists – a combination that gave birth to the “Gordie Howe hat trick” (a goal, an assist, and a fight in one game).
What’s often overlooked about Howe is how he adapted his game as he aged. When he couldn’t outmuscle opponents anymore, he outsmarted them. His hockey intelligence kept him relevant for decades.
Hockey wasn’t the high-paying profession back then that it is today. Howe played through countless injuries, including a fractured skull early in his career. His blue-collar work ethic mirrored the Detroit community he represented for 25 years.
Bobby Orr: The Defenseman Who Changed Everything
Bobby Orr reimagined what a defenseman could be. Before him, defensemen mostly stayed back. Orr turned defense into an attacking position with his end-to-end rushes.
His iconic goal to win the 1970 Stanley Cup, diving through the air after scoring in overtime, remains hockey’s most famous image. But this moment only hints at his dominance. In 1970, he became the first (and still only) defenseman to win the scoring title.
Sadly, knee injuries cut his career short. He played just 12 seasons, with his final years a shadow of his prime. Yet his impact was so great that he’s universally ranked among hockey’s all-time greats despite his abbreviated career.
The advanced stats community has retroactively calculated that Orr’s 1970-71 season might be the most dominant ever played by any hockey player. He was a breathtaking +124 that year, meaning his team outscored opponents by 124 goals with him on the ice.
Mario Lemieux: The Magnificent One
Mario Lemieux’s career represents both what was and what might have been. At 6’4″, he moved with a grace that shouldn’t have been possible for someone so tall. His reach, hands, and shooting ability made him nearly unstoppable.
Lemieux battled obstacles no other superstar faced. He fought through back pain so severe he couldn’t tie his own skates. He beat Hodgkin’s lymphoma mid-career, returning to win the scoring title the very season of his radiation treatments.
When the Penguins faced bankruptcy, Lemieux, their largest creditor, converted his owed salary into an ownership stake. He later came out of retirement to play for the team he owned, something unprecedented in major sports.
His per-game scoring numbers rival Gretzky’s, leading many to wonder what his career totals might have been without health issues. Even with the interruptions, his trophy case includes 6 scoring titles, 3 MVPs, and 2 Stanley Cups as a player (plus 3 more as an owner).
Alex Ovechkin: The Goal Machine
As the only contemporary player on this list, Ovechkin brings something special – he’s letting us witness history in real time. His pursuit of Gretzky’s seemingly untouchable goal-scoring record has become one of sports’ most compelling storylines.
What separates Ovechkin is his consistency. His signature one-timer from the left circle has been unstoppable for nearly two decades, even though every opponent knows exactly where he’ll be. This predictable unpredictability defines his career.
Unlike many European players before him, Ovechkin brought a physical dimension that changed perceptions. He could score highlight-reel goals but also deliver bone-crushing hits, expanding what scouts look for in European prospects.
When Washington finally won the Stanley Cup in 2018, Ovechkin’s wild celebration, swimming in fountains and doing keg stands with the Cup, showed his authentic passion for the game.
These five legends represent different eras and styles, but they share something essential – they changed hockey’s DNA. Stats and trophies tell part of their story, but ask anyone who saw them play, and they’ll talk about moments that left them speechless. That’s the true measure of greatness.
