Judges. By using NHL websites or other online services, you consent to the practices described in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, including our Cookie Policy. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. After being traded to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988, he helped popularize ice hockey in the United States, paving the way for the game’s expansion. Don’t agree with my picks? Dutch field hockey player Teun de Nooijer is widely considered as one of the greatest field hockey players of modern times. Jacques Plante changed the face of hockey. During a 21-year career he won four Stanley Cups—three with the Red Wings (1952, 1954–55) and one with the Toronto Maple Leafs (1967)—and four Vezina Trophies (1952–53, 1955, 1965). Recchi's 840 points are 9th best of all players in the decade. The rest is history. 20 Under 40: Young Shapers of the Future (Literature). Am I biased? In addition to being an all-around player who could score and play defense, he earned respect for his class and quiet leadership. He helped transform the Dead Wings into one of the game’s most-dominating teams, restoring Detroit as Hockeytown. On a team that's short on star power, the Edmonton native plays some of his best hockey at Rogers … Gordie Howe’s 801 career goals set a then record in the NHL, and, as a member of the Red Wings “Production Line,” he won four Stanley Cups (1950, 1952, 1954–55). Rank Name School Grad. Maurice Richard (left) and goalie Jacques Plante (right) of the Montreal Canadiens defending the goal during the 1956 Stanley Cup playoffs. The NHL has updated its Privacy Policy effective January 16, 2020. As the team’s only goalie, he had to return to the game after getting sewn up. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. And Howe played until he was 100. He still holds 60 official records in the NHL, and is often considered as the best player ever. Oh, and the coworker? Centered Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay on famed 'Production Line', Legendary Maple Leafs center idolized for character, athleticism, Tough, clean player was matinee idol for Rangers in 1950s, '60s, One of game's greatest ambassadors won Stanley Cup 17 times as player, executive with Canadiens, Electric performer won back-to-back scoring titles for Black Hawks, Stanley Cup three times for Maple Leafs, Left wing on Canadiens' famed 'Punch Line' was embodiment of 'old-time hockey', Prolific scorer for Islanders dynasty, only man with nine straight 50-goal seasons, Hall of Fame defenseman won Norris Trophy five times with Bruins, Stanley Cup with Avalanche in 2001, Playing into his 40s, goalie won four Stanley Cup championships with Maple Leafs, Goalie thrived in playoffs, led Maple Leafs to five Stanley Cup titles, including three in row, All-time leader in wins, saves, shutouts, games played led Devils to Stanley Cup three times, Led Big Bad Bruins to two Stanley Cup championships; played 21 seasons in Boston, 'Russian Rocket' led Canucks to Stanley Cup Final, won back-to-back goal-scoring titles with Panthers, Played most games among League defensemen, won two Stanley Cup titles with Red Wings, one with Canadiens, Was highest-scoring defenseman in NHL history when he retired in 1936, Talented, feisty center with incredible work ethic was face of Flyers championship teams, Set single-season NHL record for goals by defenseman, helped Oilers to first three Stanley Cup titles, Nicknamed 'The Big Bomber' for powerful shot, was second captain of Maple Leafs, 'Roadrunner' used blazing speed to help Canadiens win 10 Stanley Cup titles, 'Sid the Kid' has won Stanley Cup three times with Penguins, two Olympic gold medals, World Cup with Canada, Two-way player with highlight-reel moves won Stanley Cup twice, Selke Trophy three times with Red Wings, Captained Red Wings for 12 seasons, centered two versions of 'Production Line' with Gordie Howe, Undersized 'offensive genius' fifth-leading goal-scorer in League history, Canadiens goalie won Stanley Cup six times, Vezina Trophy five times, captured Conn Smythe Trophy year before being named top rookie, Canadiens goalie began career at age 27, won Vezina Trophy six times in seven seasons, Premier goal-scorer in early '70s helped Bruins win Stanley Cup twice, Three-time Vezina Trophy winner holds Blackhawks records for shutouts, victories, Two-way forward won three Stanley Cup titles with Red Wings, leads all Russians in assists, points, Skilled, physical center was two-time Stanley Cup winner with Avalanche, 'Captain Class' won Stanley Cup twice with Pittsburgh, has second-most assists in League history, Goalie helped Oilers win five Stanley Cup championships, was first black player inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame, Defensive forward big part of Canadiens dynasty in late 1970s, only man to win Selke Trophy four times, Dazzling shooter, blazing skater had 17 30-goal seasons, Legendary forward popularized slap shot, won Stanley Cup six times with Canadiens, 'The Great One' all-time leader in goals, assists, points, holds 61 League records, won four Stanley Cup titles with Oilers, Goalie helped Chicago end Stanley Cup drought in 1961, had NHL-record streak of 502 straight starts, Six-time Stanley Cup champion keyed Canadiens' unstoppable power play, 'The Dominator' won Vezina Trophy six times, only goalie to capture Hart Trophy twice, Anchored Maple Leafs defense, was 'strongest player in hockey', Mr. Hockey dominated foes on ice, inspired fans off it during historic five-decade career, Blessed with blistering slap shot, won Stanley Cup, three Art Ross trophies with Black Hawks, Fourth-leading goal scorer in League history won Stanley Cup title with Stars, Red Wings, Workhorse wing won two Stanley Cup titles in Pittsburgh, second on NHL points list, Prolific scorer won Stanley Cup three times with Blackhawks, was first United States-born player to win Art Ross Trophy, Workhorse defenseman has won Stanley Cup three times, Norris Trophy twice, Conn Smythe Trophy with Blackhawks, Won Stanley Cup eight times, four as defenseman with Red Wings, four as center with Maple Leafs, Youngest to ever suit up for Maple Leafs, first to win Stanley Cup five times, Led Maple Leafs to three straight Stanley Cup championships, four overall in 15 seasons with Toronto, Understated end-to-end player was Wayne Gretzky's wingman during Oilers dynasty, Was rugged center on Canadiens' famed 'Punch Line' with Maurice Richard, Toe Blake, 'The Flower' won Stanley Cup five times with Canadiens, was first to score at least 50 goals, 100 points in six straight seasons, Classy, hard-working forward ranks fifth in goals among United States-born players, Understated Rangers defenseman first American to win Conn Smythe Trophy, last at his position to score 100 points in a season, Two-way center won Stanley Cup eight times with Canadiens, scored two championship-winning goals, Super scorer won Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe Trophy twice with Penguins, had 10 seasons of 100 points or more, Stellar Swedish defenseman won four Stanley Cup championships, Norris Trophy seven times with Red Wings, Dominant center formed Flyers' 'Legion of Doom' line with John LeClair, Mikael Renberg, Left wing on Red Wings' famed 'Production Line' was fierce competitor for 17 seasons, Rode devastating slap shot to Hall of Fame; won Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe Trophy with Flames, Won Stanley Cup four times with Maple Leafs, twice with Canadiens, played on 'Production Line II' in Detroit, Intense, emotional leader captained Oilers, Rangers to Stanley Cup, Black Hawks center, one of greatest in League history, only man to win Hart, Art Ross, Lady Byng trophies in same season, Superman on ice won Stanley Cup with Stars, became highest-scoring United States-born player in League history, Six-time Stanley Cup winner with Canadiens was intense on ice, gentleman off it, Thrilled Canadiens fans with one-man rushes; won Stanley Cup three times with Montreal, Smooth-skating defenseman won Stanley Cup three times with Devils, once with Ducks, Hall of Fame center won Stanley Cup with three franchises, Consummate playmaker has fourth-most assists among centers, made magic with Brett Hull on Blues, Bruins legend revolutionized defenseman position, won Stanley Cup twice, Norris Trophy eight times, Big, strong, fast Capitals wing is 1,000-point scorer, three-time Hart Trophy winner, In back-to-back seasons, Flyers goalie won Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe and Vezina trophies, Puck-moving, physical defenseman retired as all-time assist leader at his position, went to Cup Final with Rangers, twice with Bruins, Elusive skater centered Sabres' famed 'French Connection' line, First NHL goalie to regularly wear mask won Stanley Cup six times with Canadiens, Prolific defenseman anchored Islanders dynasty in 1980s, Physically dominant defenseman won Stanley Cup with Ducks, two Olympic gold medals for Canada, Graceful skater centered Vic Hadfield, Rod Gilbert on Rangers' famed 'GAG Line', Magician on ice, 'Pocket Rocket' member of record 11 Stanley Cup championship teams, Cultural icon in Montreal, 'Rocket' won Stanley Cup eight times, including five in a row with Canadiens, Bruising defenseman won six Stanley Cup titles, Norris Trophy twice with Canadiens, Ninth-round draft pick became highest-scoring left wing in League history, Clutch goaltender won two Stanley Cup titles with Canadiens, two with Avalanche, Vezina Trophy three times, Captained Avalanche to two Stanley Cup titles, had decorated career with Canada, Pioneering Maple Leafs defenseman first European star in League, Gifted center sparked Blackhawks revival in 1980s, Stay-at-home defenseman formed Canadiens' 'Big Three' with Larry Robinson, Guy Lapointe, won Stanley Cup eight times with Montreal, Four-time Vezina Trophy winner helped Red Wings win Stanley Cup three times in four seasons, Bruins legend centered 'Kraut line,' won Stanley Cup twice as player, two more times as executive, 'Finnish Flash' scored 76 goals as rookie, won Stanley Cup with Ducks in 2007, Gritty wing won Stanley Cup three times with Red Wings, First great Bruins defenseman was 'Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb of hockey', Popular, hard-working Maple Leafs captain scored record 10 points in game, 'Battlin'' goalie racked up Stanley Cup titles, penalty minutes during Islanders dynasty, Defected with brother from Czechoslovakia to Nordiques, first rookie to score 100 points, Hard-hitting defenseman captained Devils to three Stanley Cup titles, Longtime Maple Leafs captain only Swedish-born player with 500 NHL goals, Captained Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup titles, won Conn Smythe Trophy in 2010, 'Natural-born center' won four Stanley Cup championships with Islanders, two with Penguins, Ironman for Canadiens had goaltending trophy named after him, 'Ultimate captain' helped lead Red Wings to three Stanley Cup titles. He inspired the “Gordie Howe hat trick,” which was a goal, an assist, and a fight in one game. He returned as a player for several seasons before his last retirement in 2006. In 1962 he was named the league’s most valuable player, and he was a seven-time winner of the Vezina Trophy (1956–60, 1962, 1969), as the league’s best goalie. Equipment aside, Plante was also a stellar goaltender, helping Montreal win five consecutive Stanley Cups (1956–60). Yes. However, I do know my hockey. He also registered 447 career wins, which included an unprecedented 103 shutouts, a record that stood until 2009. Long suffering from depression and alcoholism, Sawchuk died in 1970 at the age of 40 after a drunken fight with a teammate resulted in fatal internal injuries. Three years later Pittsburgh won another Stanley Cup, making Lemieux the first person to win the cup as both a player and an owner. Single-Season outputs in League history his gritty play 100 greatest NHL players been... 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