This article is also available in French.
Many cherish hockey, a sport deeply rooted in Canadian culture. Some of the greatest National Hockey League (NHL) players of all time are Canadian, making it more than just a sport but a source of national pride. We have put together a list to celebrate the achievements of the best Canadian hockey players. We examined their assists, goals, wins, and, of course, their exceptional talent and skillful gameplay.
Since 1917, the NHL has witnessed many talented players throughout its history. Several of the best Canadian hockey players in the NHL, past and present, will undoubtedly go down in hockey history. Although the NHL features players from all over the world, including the USA and European countries, Canada remains the leader in producing NHL legends. Let’s get into our list of the best Canadian NHL players ever.
10. Sidney Crosby
Sidney Patrick Crosby was born on August 7, 1987. He is a Canadian ice hockey centreman wearing jersey number 87, reflecting his birth date of 08/07/87. Known as “Sid the Kid,” Crosby was the first overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and entered the sport with high expectations. Many called him “The Next One” because of his high level of potential. Crosby grew up in Halifax and was one of the most highly touted prospects in ice hockey history.
In 2019, the Océanic and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League retired his jersey number 87. Crosby made his NHL debut during the 2005/2006 season and finished the season as NHL Rookie of the Year, scoring 102 points. Crosby is the youngest player to reach 100 points in an NHL season, achieving this at 18 years and 253 days. During his second season, Crosby won the Art Ross Trophy after leading the NHL with 120 points. This made him the youngest player and the only teenager to win a scoring title in any major North American sports league.
Crosby is a two-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner and has also won the Mark Messier Leadership Award, the Maurice Richard Trophy, and the Ted Lindsay Award multiple times. He has led the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Stanley Cup Finals various times, winning the championship in 2009, 2016, and 2017.
- Birthplace: Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Position: Centre
- Stanley Cup Championships: 3
- Points: 1,575
9. Ray Bourque
Raymond Jean Bourque is a legendary professional hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for an impressive 22 seasons. Bourque’s records are a testament to his dedication to the sport, earning him a place as one of the best Canadian hockey players ever. He holds the record for the most career goals, assists, and points by a defenceman in the NHL. A feat that is unmatched by any other player in the game’s history.
Bourque’s talent and hard work earned him many accolades throughout his career. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s best defenceman, five times while finishing second for that trophy a further six times. He was an Olympian with Canada and played 21 seasons with the Boston Bruins, where he became the longest-serving captain in the team’s history.
Bourque’s peers also recognized his incredible skills and leadership qualities. He won his only Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche. In 2017, he was honored as one of the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players, a testament to his enduring legacy in hockey. Bourque’s contributions to the game inspire many aspiring hockey players around the world.
- Birthplace: Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Position: Defenseman
- Stanley Cup Championships: 1
- Points: 1,579
8. Joe Sakic
Joseph Steven Sakic, born July 7th, 1969, played his entire 21-year NHL career with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise. Sakic led the Avalanche to Stanley Cup titles in 1996 and 2001 and became the most valuable player of the 1996 playoffs. He retired from the NHL in 2009, leaving a legacy that fans and fellow players have celebrated.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the sport, the Avalanche retired Sakic’s jersey number #19 before their 2009/2010 season opener. This was a fitting tribute to a player who had led the team to two Stanley Cup championships in 1996 and 2001. Throughout his career, they praised Sakic for his leadership, skill, and fair play. His retirement was a major loss for the NHL.
After his retirement in 2009, Sakic remained involved in hockey. He served as Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations for the Avalanche. In 2012/2013, they inducted him into the Canadian and Hockey Hall of Fame, cementing his place as one of the best Canadian hockey players in history. Today, Sakic is one of the greatest players ever graced the NHL. His legacy continues to inspire the next generation of hockey players.
- Birthplace: Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
- Position: Forward
- Stanley Cup Championships: 2
- Points: 1,641
7. Mario Lemieux
Mario Lemieux “le Magnifique,” born on October 5th, 1965. He played for the Pittsburgh Penguins between 1984 and 2005 and assumed franchise ownership in 1999. Lemieux led the Penguins to consecutive Stanley Cup championships in 1991 and 1992 and additional titles in 2009, 2016, and 2017 as the owner. He is the only man to have his name on the Cup as a player and owner.
Unfortunately, health problems plagued Lemieux’s career, limiting him to only 915 of a possible 1,430 regular-season games. Despite these lengthy absences, his play remained at a high level upon his return to the ice. Lemieux’s impressive accomplishments and contributions to ice hockey did not go unnoticed. They inducted him into 2004 to the Canada’s Walk of Fame and the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997. In addition, they named him one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in 2017. Lemieux is one of the best Canadian Hockey players in the sport’s history.
- Birthplace: Montréal, Quebec, Canada
- Position: Forward
- Stanley Cup Championships: 2
- Points: 1,723
6. Steve Yzerman
Stephen Yzerman, nicknamed “The Captain,” was born on May 9th, 1965, and is a retired professional ice hockey player from Cranbrook, British Columbia. He currently serves as the executive vice president and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings. Throughout his 22-season NHL career, Yzerman played for the Red Wings. He led them to three Stanley Cup championships and five first-place regular-season finishes.
After retiring from professional hockey in 2006, Yzerman took on a managerial role with the Detroit Red Wings as a vice president and alternate governor. During his tenure with the team, he played a pivotal role in shaping the strategies and helped them secure many vital victories. In 2010, he became the manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he continued his successful run of achievements. He led the team into the Eastern Conference Finals during his first season and helped them reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2015.
However, his love for the Red Wings brought him back home, and in 2019, he returned to the team as the general manager. In this role, he has worked tirelessly to bolster the team’s roster and brought in some of the best talent in the league. His dedication and vision have put the Red Wings in a position to be a formidable force in the NHL in the upcoming years.
- Birthplace: Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada
- Position: Forward
- Stanley Cup Championships: 3
- Points: 1,755
5. Guy Lafleur
Guy Damien Lafleur, a renowned Canadian ice hockey player, was born on September 20th, 1951, in Thurso, Quebec. He also picked up nicknames, including “The Flower” or “Le Démon Blond,” because of his blonde hair and graceful playing style. Lafleur was a right winger who started his professional career with the Quebec Remparts in the junior league. He quickly made a name for himself and the Montreal Canadiens drafted him in 1971, where he spent most of his career.
Lafleur achieved several remarkable feats throughout his career, including being the first NHL player to score a record-breaking 50 goals in six consecutive seasons between 1974 and 1979. He won five Stanley Cup championships, all with the Canadiens, in 1973 and from 1976 to 1979. He also received the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player in 1977 and 1978. Lafleur’s exceptional talent and skill on the ice earned him a special place in the hearts of Canadian hockey fans, making him one of the best Canadian hockey players ever.
“Play every game as if it is your last one.” – Guy Lafleur.
In recognition of his achievements, they inducted Lafleur into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988. We also included Lafleur in our list of the best hockey players ever. They invited him to join the Order of Hockey in Canada in 2022, a special honor for athletes who have made significant contributions to the sport in Canada.
Unfortunately, Lafleur passed away on April 22, 2022. He left a legacy of excellence and inspiration for generations of hockey players and fans. Fans will always remember his impact on the sport and his contributions to Canadian hockey.
- Birthplace: Thurso, Quebec, Canada
- Position: Forward
- Stanley Cup Championships: 5
- Points: 1,353
4. Phil Esposito
Philip Esposito was born on February 20, 1942. He was a player, coach, and executive and is currently a broadcaster for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Having played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League, Esposito represented the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins, and New York Rangers. He won two Stanley Cups with Boston. In 2005, Esposito was honored with the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.
Esposito became the first player in history to score over 100 points in a single NHL season, with 126 in 1968/1969. He repeated this astonishing achievement five more times. Also, he became the first player to score 50 goals in a season for five consecutive seasons. Including setting a record of 76 goals in 1970-71, along with the then-record 152 points in the same year. He won the Art Ross Trophy as the leading point scorer five times, topped the league in goals six times, and was the MVP twice, winning the Hart Trophy.
Phil Esposito – twice the NHL MVP – notched 100 points six times & led the league in scoring on five occasions & in goals for six straight years.
Espo's No. 7 was raised to the rafters on Dec. 3, 1987 in a memorable ceremony, which included Ray Bourque revealing his new No. 77. pic.twitter.com/6g69rcDeHj
— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) November 25, 2018
Few cases are as cut and dry as Phil Esposito. He is a worthy inclusion for our list of the best Canadian hockey players.
- Birthplace: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada
- Position: Centre/Forward
- Stanley Cup Championships: 2
- Points: 1,590
3. Gordie Howe
On March 31st, 1928, the legendary Gordon Howe was born. He spent 26 seasons playing in the NHL from 1946 to 1980, along with six seasons in the World Hockey Association (WHA). During his first 25 seasons, Howe played for the Detroit Red Wings. During this time, he picked up the nickname “Mr. Hockey”. Upon his retirement, his NHL records of 801 goals, 1,049 assists, and 1,850 total points remained unbroken until Wayne Gretzky surpassed them. Howe was one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players and became an NHL All-Star 23 times.
Howe began his NHL career with the Red Wings in 1946 and won the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s leading scorer from 1950 to 1963. His six wins of the award are the second most in NHL history. He achieved victory in the Stanley Cup Championships four times while playing for the Red Wings and secured the top spot in the NHL scoring chart. In 1953, he established an NHL record for points in a season totaling 95 and consecutively ranked in the NHL’s top ten scorers for 21 years. He won six Hart Trophies for being the NHL’s most valuable player and led the NHL in playoff points six times.
Gordie Howe has widely recognized as one of the best Canadian hockey players of all time thanks to his impressive scoring ability, physical strength, and longevity. He redefined the ideal qualities of a forward player and played in the NHL for an unprecedented five decades, from the 1940s through the 1980s. Even in the 1997 season, he played a shift for the Detroit Vipers of the IHL, making him the only professional hockey player to compete in six different decades.
Although he played in only two such games during his career, he became the inspiration behind the “Gordie Howe hat trick”. It involves scoring a goal, making an assist, and getting involved in a fight within the same game. In recognition of his contributions to the sport, they awarded him the NHL Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.
- Birthplace: Floral, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Position: Forward
- Stanley Cup Championships: 4
- Points: 1,850
2. Mark Messier
Mark John Douglas Messier, also known as “The Messiah,” was born on January 18th, 1961. Messier is on the list of 100 Greatest Hockey Players in the NHL. He played in the NHL for 25 years, from 1979 to 2004, representing the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks. Before his career in the NHL, he played professionally with the Indianapolis Racers and Cincinnati Stingers in the WHA. Messier was the last WHA player to play professional ice hockey. He was also the last active player in any major North American professional sports league to have played in the 1970s. After he retired, he served as a special assistant to the president and general manager of the Rangers.
Messier is one of the most impressive ice hockey players of all time. He holds the second position on the all-time list for playoff points of 295 and the third position for regular-season games played and regular-season points. He won the Stanley Cup six times, five with the Edmonton Oilers and one with the New York Rangers.
He is the only player to captain two teams during the Stanley Cup championships. Twice, in 1990 and 1992, he won the Hart Memorial Trophy as MVP of the league. In the 1984 playoffs, he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the player who contributed the most to his team’s victory. They picked him 16 times for the NHL All-Star Game. In 2007, they inducted Messier into the Hockey Hall of Fame when he became eligible for the first time.
- Birthplace: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Position: Forward
- Stanley Cup Championships: 5
- Points: 1,887
1. Wayne Gretzky
“The Great One,” Wayne Douglas Gretzky, was born on January 26th, 1961, and is a former Canadian ice hockey player and coach. He’s played 20 seasons in the NHL for four teams from 1979 to 1999. Many sportswriters, players, and the NHL itself have hailed him as the greatest ice hockey player ever. Gretzky holds various records, including being the leading career scorer in goals, assists, and points in NHL history. He is the only NHL player to score over 200 points in one season, which he accomplished four times.
In 20 years of playing in the NHL, Gretzky scored over 100 points 15 times. He achieved most of this feat consecutively across 13 seasons. When Gretzky retired from professional hockey in 1991, he had set 61 records. These records included 40 regular-season, 15 playoff, and 6 All-Star records.
Wayne Gretzky is the best Canadian ice hockey player ever. He grew up in Brantford, Ontario, and started playing hockey at a young age. Gretzky built a reputation for his intelligence, stamina, and ability to read the game. This helped him avoid getting hit by other players and make the right moves at the right time. He was especially good at setting up behind the opponent’s net and was sometimes called the “office” for this reason.
In 1978, Gretzky was the top scorer in the World Junior Championships. He started playing professionally with the Indianapolis Racers of the WHA, but he soon moved to the Edmonton Oilers. The NHL welcomed the Oilers after the WHA dissolved, and Gretzky helped win four Stanley Cups. They traded Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings in 1988, where he continued to play well and helped make hockey more popular in California, USA.
Gretzky won many awards throughout his career, including nine Hart Trophies and 10 Art Ross Trophies for getting the most points in a season. He also won two Conn Smythe Trophies and five Lester B. Pearson Awards. Gretzky became an icon for his sportsmanship and won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy five times. He was an advocate for getting fighting out of hockey.
Gretzky is a role model for aspiring athletes, and they were inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. Although his time as head coach and owner of the Phoenix Coyotes ended in 2009, he continued to be involved in the sport. He became a partner and the vice-chairman of the Oilers Entertainment Group in 2016. During his tenure, he helped shape the team’s strategy and vision.
- Birthplace: Brantford, Ontario, Canada
- Position: Centre
- Stanley Cup Championships: 4
- Points: 2,857
