Only A Real Hockey Fan Can Name These NHL Greats
- by Mike Moore
- – on
- in Sports
The NHL has changed drastically since its inaugural season in 1917. Since that time there have been many warriors to lace up their skates and go down in history as one of the best. Each year a new top player emerges, while others seem to fizzle out. Yet some of these players have had successful careers spanning two decades or more, and will always be remembered by fans young and old.
What constitutes a legend is their ability to standout among the rest of the league. While most have won the greatest trophy in all of professional sports - the Stanley Cup - there are many more who have achieved legendary status but are often remembered as one of the best to never win one. In the modern day NHL this seems to be more often the case. Now that there are 31 teams in the show, it's difficult to be in the right place, at the right time, with the right group of players, to actually make a run at Lord Stanley's mug. The difference in the early days was that there were only six teams competing for the trophy, and if you were an NHL regular by those standards, the opportunity to win the title was far greater.
This quiz will span decades of intense competition in the NHL and will feature the best of the best to ever step on the ice.
Only a real hockey fan can name these legends. Can you?
Name this NHL legend
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. Now 30 years old, he's not a kid anymore, but is still regarded as one of the best players in the world. He has three Stanley Cups and two Olympic gold medals playing for Team Canada.
Name this NHL legend
This next legend should come as a no brainer. Known simply as "The Great One" he holds the most league records than any other player in the National Hockey League's 100 year history. He has won a record nine Hart Trophies as the most valuable player in the NHL and between 1981 and 1994 he won the Art Ross Trophy, presented to the NHL's season points leader, 10 times. He also posted 16 seasons with at least 100 points scored.
Name this NHL legend
He scored his first goal, on his first shot, in his first game in the National Hockey League. He posted 10 seasons with 100 points or more and won back to back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in his playing days and three more later in his career as part of the ownership and front office staff. This 1997 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee holds or shares 23 different league records and also has an Olympic gold medal on top.
Name this NHL legend
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 go on to win three more Stanley Cups during his career, two more Conn Smyth Trophies, and three Vezina Trophies as the league's top goaltender.
Name this NHL legend
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. Four of those were in a row in the 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001 seasons.
Name this NHL legend
This legend made his NHL debut with the Vancouver Canucks in 1991. His speed, accuracy, and creativity on the ice were second to none. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 1992, the Rocket Richard Trophy in 2000 and 2001, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012. Although never winning a Stanley Cup, his career achievements speak for themselves, and he later went on to become the general manager of Russia's men's Olympic hockey team. Who is he?
Name this NHL legend
He was selected first overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals. He had been projected as the first overall pick for nearly two years and had earned comparisons to Mario Lemieux. He lived up to the hype by winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie in the 2005-2006 seasons 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. He has had a successful career to this point without a Stanley Cup ring.
Name this NHL legend
He was the only player in NHL history to score 50 goals in nine straight NHL seasons. Drafted 15th overall in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft, the New York Islanders didn't hesitate to scoop up the talented scorer after four seasons, and 308 goals, in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He played a major role with the dynasty Islanders of the 1980s, helping the club win four straight Stanley Cups, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991.
Name this NHL legend
This legend was one of the most recognizable faces in hockey in the 1970s. He was outspoken and hardworking, and helped the Bruins to two Stanley Cups before being shipped to the New York Rangers. He won the Art Ross Trophy for most points by a single player during the regular season five times over his career, and unofficially captained Team Canada during the 1972 Canada-Russia Summit Series. It was during that series when he gave one of the most legendary speeches in hockey's history.
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He was drafted in the third round, 48th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1979 NHL Entry Draft. He was named to the all-star teams 15 times over the course of his career, despite only having one 50 goal season to his name. He was a big piece during the Edmonton Oilers dynasty years and won six Stanley Cups in 10 years during that stretch of his career. He earned the nickname "Moose" for his competitive and aggressive playing stlye.
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He was the first player in NHL history to score 50 goals in one season, accomplishing the feat in only 50 games in 1944–1945 season. He was also the first player to reach 500 career goals. Nicknamed "The Rocket," he helped the Montreal Canadiens to a godly eight Stanley Cups, five of which were in a row. He retired in 1960 as the league's all-time leading goal scorer at the time with 544. In 1999 the trophy for most goals during the regular season by a single played was named after him.
Name this NHL legend
He won six Stanley Cups in Montreal with the Canadiens, and went on to have an outstanding career after hockey. While most Habs fans speak of the legend of this netminder, he only played 10 years of professional hockey, yet his accomplishments in that short period speak for themselves. He stood tall in the 1972 Canada-Russia Summit Series and was the winning goalie in game eight in Moscow. He had a successful career after hockey in politics and writing, and is also a hall of famer.
Name this NHL legend
Beginning in 1946, all the way to 1980, he played 26 seasons in the National Hockey League, and six seasons in the World Hockey Association. He spent his first 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. Nicknamed "Mr. Hockey" he is often considered to be the most complete player to ever play the game. He held many of the sport's career scoring records until they were broken in the 1980s by "The Great One." He's one of few players to shoot both left handed and right handed.
Name this NHL legend
He signed with the Boston Bruins in 1962. One of the best blue liners in the history of the sport, he is often regarded as the player to have changed the game. He had six, yes six, 100 plus point seasons as a defender for the Bruins and two Stanley Cups during that span. He was also awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie in 1967 making him the youngest to win the honor at that time.
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He made his debut with the Winnipeg Jets in the 1992-1993 season. He immediately set the league on fire with his explosive speed and elite puck handling skills and amassed 132 points in his rookie year with 76 goals, good enough for the Calder Memorial Trophy for the league's top rookie that year and a new rookie record for most goals scored in a single season. He won one Stanley Cup and the Anaheim Ducks retired his jersey in 2015.
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Arguably 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. For 21 seasons as a Devil he kept his trademark mask, and was 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.
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He played his entire National Hockey League career with the Philadelphia Flyers. He was captain of the Flyers from 1973 to 1979, winning the Stanley Cup with them in both 1974 and 1975. He was again captain of the Flyers from 1982 to 1984 later in his career before retiring. He won the Hart Trophy three times and played a major role for Team Canada during the 1972 Summit Series. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987.
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He was drafted sixth overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, the first European player to be taken that year. Although he didn't play his first National Hockey League game until 1995, which saw him in a Quebec Nordiques sweater, he scored 50 points in 47 games during that lockout season. After the Nordiques were moved to Denver, Colorado he continued to have great success on his way to winning two Stanley Cups and becoming only the third member of the Triple Gold Club.
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Drafted 171st overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, this Russian superstar became wildly known for his creative plays and high hockey I.Q. during his time in the National Hockey League. His ability to control the puck and find the back of the net throughout his entire career made him an absolute nightmare for any opposing team and coaching staff. He won two Stanley Cups and an Olympic bronze medal with Russia in the 2002 Salt Lake City winter games.
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A top prospect in the 1991 National Hockey League Entry Draft, he was selected in the first round, third overall, 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, along with two Olympic gold medals as part of Team Canada in 2002 and 2010. The Devils recognized his contributions to their franchise by retiring his uniform, number 27, in 2011. This honor is only bestowed on the best of the best.
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This player made his National Hockey League debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs at the beginning of the 1973–74 NHL season after signing as a free agent and leaving Sweden's top professional hockey league. Despite never winning a Stanley Cup he was a fan favorite in Toronto, and in 1996 he became the first Swedish hockey player to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. To add to the list of post retirement honors, the Toronto Maple Leafs honored, and then retired his number 21 uniform.
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This goalie revolutionized the game as we know it. He first wore his crude fiberglass mask during practices, and eventually started to wear it during games. His coaches forbid him from wearing the mask, believing it prevented him from being able to see the puck. After proving them wrong and going on a five game win streak while wearing the mask, he quickly changed the minds of the hockey world and in turn he changed the game forever.
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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. 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.
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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.
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He was taken 4th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft. He tallied 87 points during his rookie campaign and became the youngest player to be selected to an allstar team at just 18 years old. He played 22 seasons with the Wings winning three Stanley Cups, and is one of few players to have stayed with only one team over their span of their entire career in the show. He too has won Olympic gold with Canada in 2002.
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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.
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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, a Conn Smyth Trophy, Hart Trophy, and Olympic gold with Canada in 2002 at the Salt Lake City winter games. He played over 20 seasons with the same franchise.
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He was drafted first overall in the 1971 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He was vital to the Canadiens and their cup runs in the the 70s, helping them win five between 1972 and 1978. He became the first player in National Hockey League history to score at least 50 goals and 100 points in six straight seasons, all of which came during his time with the Habs. He won three Art Ross Trophies, two Hart Memorial Trophies and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988.
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Drafter first overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft, this powerhouse center played his first four seasons with the Nordiques in Quebec before being shuffled to a stacked Toronto Maple Leafs club in 1994. He also 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, and has accomplished everything a professional hockey player can, despite never winning a Stanley Cup.
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Despite only playing one game in the National Hockey League, this legend made a name for himself behind the bench and in front of the camera. He has one of the longest running segments in the CBC's history with his sports panel on Saturday nights and has been an ambassador for the sport of hockey during his entire professional life. Nicknamed "Grapes" he won coach of the year awards in both the National Hockey League and American Hockey League respectively.
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The Calgary Flames drafted this player in the 8th round, 166th overall, of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. His small stature was likely the reason as to why he fell so low in draft rankings, however he scored 34 points in 36 games in his rookie campaign, adding 11 in the playoffs to help the Calgary Flames to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. He won Olympic gold with Team Canada in the 2002 Salt Lake City winter games.
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This player was drafted 8th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. A skillful scorer with a knack for agitating the opponent, he became the third American born player to have scored 500 career goals in the National Hockey League. He was a nine time allstar and two time Olympian, while also being number two for the most points by an American in the World Junior Hockey Championship tournament. He held first place until his record was broken in 2010.
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He was drafted third overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks and is currently still playing there. He has played a major role in the modern era dynasty Blackhawks, leading them to three Stanley Cups from 2010 to 2015. He won a Conn Smyth Trophy in 2010 as the playoff's most valuable player, becoming the second youngest player in league history to win the hardware. He won Olympic gold with Canada in 2010, making him the youngest player to earn Triple Gold Club status at just 22 years old.
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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 allstar team seven times over his career, and won a Hart Memorial Trophy in 1995. Although his career was cut short due to head injuries, he amassed 865 points in 760 games.
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His most remarkable feat of his career came during the 1972 Canada-Russia Summit Series. Played over eight games, four in Canada and four in Russia, this player scored the winning goal to lead Canada to victory in the one of the most legendary hockey series' to ever be played. He scored 10 points during that series and returned to Canada as a national hero. Despite never scoring more than 60 points in a single season in the National Hockey League, his legendary status was earned playing for Canada.