Real NHL Fans Can Name These 2000s Hockey All-Stars
- by Mike Moore
- – on
- in Sports
Ahhh the 2000s era National Hockey League. This period after the nitty gritty 90s was the last kick at the can for getting away with borderline hooks, hits, and slashes, and fighting was still an important part of the game. It had that special mix of hard hitting enforcers and graceful skilled players which always made for entertaining games. For whatever reason the early to mid 2000s just had that perfect combination of players who could score, but also throw their weight around and didn't mind standing up for themselves and teammates.
It seemed as though Canadian teams were on the rise and were destined to win a Stanley Cup or two as fans saw deep playoff runs by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2002, the Calgary Flames in 2004, the Edmonton Oilers in 2006, and the Ottawa Senators in 2007, but each team fell short of winning Lord Stanley's mug.
For those of us who remember the early 2000s National Hockey League, we remember countless Hall of Famers, countless record breakers and record makers, and for the first time (for most of us) we remember an era without the greatest player to ever lace up his skates and step on the ice, Wayne Gretzky.
Time for a nostalgia kick. Can you name these 2000s era All-Stars?
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
Selected first overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, he was one of the most highly touted prospects in the modern era of the National Hockey League. Bursting onto the scene and scoring 102 points as a rookie, the future of "The Kid" looked bright. He seemed to be the perfect player to fill the void left behind by Gretzky and hasn't disappointed fans since his debut. He has three Stanley Cups and two Olympic gold medals playing for Team Canada.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
He was drafted in the third round, 51st overall, in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He lead the Habs to a Stanley Cup during the 1986 playoffs and became the youngest player to win the Conn Smyth Trophy as the playoff's most valuable player at only 20 years old. He would be the bridge between old school and new school in the 2000s, and go on to win a Stanley Cup and a Conn Smyth Trophy in 2001.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
He was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques but was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers before suiting up for his first National Hockey League game. He redefined the roll of the power forward using his strength and size to score goals from the gritty areas on the ice. He was elected to the all-star team seven times over his career, his last was in 2000. Unfortunately his career was cut short due to head injuries and health complications, but he did manage to collect 865 points in 760 games.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
One of the most remarkable comebacks in National Hockey League history, this big bodied forward hung up the skates in 1997 after being diagnosed with and battling Hodgkin's lymphoma since 1993. He helped save the bankrupt Pittsburgh Penguins by buying the club, and and made his return to the NHL in 2000, but not before already being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He stayed with the Penguins as a player and an owner until 2007, where he helped usher in the new generation of Penguins' stars including Sidney Crosby.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
This speedster was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens 21st overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. After two seasons with TPS in the Finnish Elite League SM-liiga, he moved to North America for the 1995–96 season to join the National Hockey League as part of the Habs. He was voted into two all-star games, and was the first ever European-born captain in Montreal Canadiens history. He was also the longest-serving captain in Canadiens history tied with only with Habs legend Jean Béliveau.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
He was selected first overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals and was regarded as being at the front of the next wave of elite Russian superstars to enter the league. He lived up to the hype by winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie in the 2005-2006 season and has since went on to win an Art Ross Trophy, six Rocket Richard Trophies, and three Hart Memorial Trophies as the leagues most valuable player.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
He was taken fourth overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, one of the National Hockey League's two new expansion teams. His small stature was made up by his playing ability as he quickly became one of the league's top speedy forwards. Despite never winning any major trophies in the NHL outside of two Lady Byng Memoial trophies for most sportsmanlike, he did tally 989 points over 989 games in his 15 year career in the show and was an NHL all-star seven times, four of which came in the early 2000s.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
One of the greatest goaltenders of all time, this goalie played the majority of his career with the New Jersey Devils until singing a one year deal with the St. Louis Blues at the end of it. For 21 seasons as a Devil he was known as one of the most solid and trustworthy goalies in the league. He won three Stanley Cups, four Vezina Trophies, and two Olympic gold medals as part of team Canada in 2002 and 2010. Not bad for having to adjust to equipment, net, and crease regulations spanning the different generations in which he stood at the top as the best goaltender in the league.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
He started his career with the Hartford Whalers in the 1993-1994 season, but really came into his own as a top National Hockey League defenseman with the St. Louis Blues from 1995 onwards. He won a Stanley Cup with the Anaheim ducks in 2007, and was a six time all-star with a lengthy resumé of trophies before hanging up the skates during the 2011-2012 season with the Philadelphia Flyers. He is often regarded as one of the hardest defenders to play against, often using his big frame and borderline legal stick work to deter opponents.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
Hands down one of the top defenders in his day, he was a top prospect in the 1991 National Hockey League Entry Draft, selected third overall in the first round by the New Jersey Devils. He won three Stanley Cups with the Devils, and one later in his career in Anaheim as part of the Ducks in 2007. He joins the long list of old school NHL elite players to have bridged the gap between the rough and tumble early 90s hockey, to the balanced mix of toughness and skill in the 2000s.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
He was drafted 15th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. His wrist shot alone was something of a force to be reckoned with as the Burnaby native seemed to be in a league of his own in regards to mastering the wrister. He won two Stanley Cups, his last coming in 2001, a Conn Smyth Trophy, Hart Trophy, also in 2001, and Olympic gold with Canada in 2002 at the Salt Lake City winter games. He played over 20 seasons with the same franchise as the Nordiques had moved to Colorado in 1995.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
This speedy winger doesn't seem to age. Taken by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the fifth overall pick in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, he is still playing today, having started the 2017-2018 season with the Calgary Flames. He has won two Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992, and the Art Ross Trophy for the league's top point scorer during the regular season five times throughout his career, one of which came in 2001 and at the tail end of a four year stretch in which he won the trophy four years running.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
He was selected sixth overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. He earned the nickname "Captain Canada" as the majority of fans around the league identified with his hard work ethic, team first mentality, and his well spoken demeanor. Although he never won a Stanley Cup, and only played in one all-star game, fans of the 2000s era of the National Hockey League won't soon forget how solid he was on the ice and how his leadership skills transferred to the international stage as he helped Canada claim gold at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings 53rd overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, he joined the Wings in the 1991–92 season and finished second in voting behind Pavel Bure for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie. He managed to get his hands on the Stanley Cup on four separate occasions, also winning an Olympic gold medal with Sweden in the 2006 winter games making him a part of the elite Triple Gold Club. He won an impressive seven James Norris Trophies as the NHL's top defender, trailing only Bobby Orr with eight.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
He was selected first overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He is a six time all-star and won the Maurice the Rocket Richard Trophy in 2004 as the league's top goal scorer with 41 markers. He has been on the decline in recent years, but managed to score 41 goals in the 2014-2015 season as part of the New York Rangers where he is currently winding down his fairly successful career in the show.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
This "Russian Rocket" made his NHL debut with the Vancouver Canucks in 1991. His speed, accuracy, and creativity on the ice were second to none and he won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1992 as the league's top rookie that year. He pushed the boundaries for the league's top snipers and won the Rocket Richard Trophy in 2000 and 2001 for scoring the most goals in a single season by a player. Although never winning a Stanley Cup, his career achievements speak for themselves.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
The Minnesota North Stars selected him as the first overall draft pick in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft, making him only the second American to be selected first overall since its conception. He holds the record for most goals by a player born in the United States with 561, the most points by an American-born player with 1374, and the most games played by an American-born forward with 1499. He was an all-star eight times over his career, and won a Stanley Cup with the Dallas Stars in 1999.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
He was drafted second overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft and immediately made an impact on the league during his rookie campaign scoring 67 points and earning himself the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie. He made a move to Ottawa and immediately lit the league on fire by scoring 103 points, and 105 points in the 2005 and 2006 seasons. He is tied for the record for most goals scored in an all-star game with four tallies on the score sheet.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
He was taken 4th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft and tallied 87 points during his rookie campaign to become the youngest player to be selected to an all-star team at just 18 years old. He played 22 seasons with the Wings winning three Stanley Cups, his last in 2002, and is one of few players to have stayed with only one team over their span of their entire career in the show giving him the record for being the longest serving captain in league history with 1,303 games at the helm.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
"Jumbo" was selected first overall in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins. He'll go down in history as one of the best set up guys to ever don a National Hockey League uniform as he has nine seasons under his belt where he has amassed over 50 assists during the regular season. He won the Art Ross and Hart Memorial Trophy in 2006 as the league's top point producer and league MVP, but is still missing a Stanley Cup ring for his trophy case.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
He was known as one of the most feared and hard hitting defenders to ever step on the ice. He played 22 seasons in the National Hockey League, 13 of those as captain of the New Jersey Devils. He had the ability to put the puck in the net which was overshadowed by his ability to bury his opponents. He won three Stanley Cups and a Conn Smyth Trophy as the playoff's most valuable player during his run with the Devils, his last cups coming in 2000 and 2003.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
Drafted first overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, this strong powerforward center played the first four seasons of his career with the Nordiques in Quebec before being dealt to an evolving Toronto Maple Leafs club in 1994. He went on to captain the Buds for 11 seasons later on in his career. He has the most points for any Swedish born player in National Hockey League history. Despite never winning a Stanley Cup, he led the Leafs to a conference championship final in 2001-2002, the closest he ever came to winning the big one.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
He was selected eleventh overall by The Dallas Stars with their first pick in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, however he never had a chance to suit up for the green and black as he was dealt to the Calgary Flames for the rights to forward Joe Nieuwendyk. His entire career identifies with the Flames, and he will likely be the kind of player to get his number retired by the organization, despite never winning a Stanley Cup with the franchise.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
He was drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, and was going to be the next franchise player for anyone who had the opportunity to land him. In the 2006-2007 season he scored an impressive 108 points, good enough for the Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's top goal scorer, and was an NHL all-star four times, captaining the team in 2008. He won a Stanley Cup in 2004 with the Bolts, and has had a solid career in the league ever since.
Name this 2000s NHL All-Star
He was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens with the 33rd pick in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. He made his National Hockey League debut near the end of 1993 where he made an immediate impact as a rookie, scoring two game winning overtime goals in the playoffs helping the Habs win the Stanley Cup. He is probably most remembered for his time in Philadelphia with the Flyers, having multiple 90 plus point seasons and being a five time all-star into the 2000s.