these legends didn’t just play the game they changed it welcome to watchmojo.com
they changed it welcome to watchmojo.com
they changed it welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks
and today we’re counting down our picks
and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten greatest hockey players
for the top ten greatest hockey players
for the top ten greatest hockey players of all time
of all time
of all time before we begin we publish new videos
before we begin we publish new videos
before we begin we publish new videos every day
every day
every day so be sure to subscribe for more great
so be sure to subscribe for more great
so be sure to subscribe for more great content for this list we’re looking at
content for this list we’re looking at
content for this list we’re looking at the best of the best
the best of the best
the best of the best based on their career statistics and
based on their career statistics and
based on their career statistics and dominance in the NHL as well as their
dominance in the NHL as well as their
dominance in the NHL as well as their legacy and lasting impact on the league
legacy and lasting impact on the league
legacy and lasting impact on the league we’re looking at players at every
we’re looking at players at every
we’re looking at players at every position on the ice including wingers
position on the ice including wingers
position on the ice including wingers Center’s defenseman and goalies number
Center’s defenseman and goalies number
Center’s defenseman and goalies number 10 Phil Esposito Esposito became the
10 Phil Esposito Esposito became the
10 Phil Esposito Esposito became the first player in NHL history to score
first player in NHL history to score
first player in NHL history to score over 100 points in a single season and
over 100 points in a single season and
over 100 points in a single season and set a record with 76 goals during the
set a record with 76 goals during the
set a record with 76 goals during the 1970-71 season that held until a guy by
1970-71 season that held until a guy by
1970-71 season that held until a guy by the name of Wayne Gretzky finally broke
the name of Wayne Gretzky finally broke
the name of Wayne Gretzky finally broke it a decade later over the course of his
it a decade later over the course of his
it a decade later over the course of his career
career
career Esposito earned 5 Art Ross Trophy s for
Esposito earned 5 Art Ross Trophy s for
Esposito earned 5 Art Ross Trophy s for most points at the end of the regular
most points at the end of the regular
most points at the end of the regular season each time scoring well over 100
season each time scoring well over 100
season each time scoring well over 100 points and won two heart trophies in
points and won two heart trophies in
points and won two heart trophies in 1969 and 1974 as League MVP everything
1969 and 1974 as League MVP everything
1969 and 1974 as League MVP everything fell into place for me the timing was
fell into place for me the timing was
fell into place for me the timing was right my teammates were right he bagged
right my teammates were right he bagged
right my teammates were right he bagged two Stanley Cups with the Bruins in 70
two Stanley Cups with the Bruins in 70
two Stanley Cups with the Bruins in 70 and 72 cementing his legendary status as
and 72 cementing his legendary status as
and 72 cementing his legendary status as one of the icons of his era
one of the icons of his era
one of the icons of his era number 9 Mark Messier from very early
number 9 Mark Messier from very early
number 9 Mark Messier from very early age I have a program to win the Moose
age I have a program to win the Moose
age I have a program to win the Moose played alongside some of the greatest
played alongside some of the greatest
played alongside some of the greatest players in history but always found a
players in history but always found a
players in history but always found a way to distinguish himself he was a
way to distinguish himself he was a
way to distinguish himself he was a behemoth on the ice both in physical
behemoth on the ice both in physical
behemoth on the ice both in physical size and psychological presence
he was a composed leader helping the
he was a composed leader helping the Edmonton Oilers to 5 Stanley Cups in the
Edmonton Oilers to 5 Stanley Cups in the
Edmonton Oilers to 5 Stanley Cups in the 80s and also earning one with the
80s and also earning one with the
80s and also earning one with the Rangers Messier was one of the most
Rangers Messier was one of the most
Rangers Messier was one of the most versatile players to ever hit the ice
versatile players to ever hit the ice
versatile players to ever hit the ice balancing an intimidating tough style
balancing an intimidating tough style
balancing an intimidating tough style with that of a creative playmaker he had
with that of a creative playmaker he had
with that of a creative playmaker he had a unique scoring touch and finished his
a unique scoring touch and finished his
a unique scoring touch and finished his career with 1887 points earning the
career with 1887 points earning the
career with 1887 points earning the number 3 spot on the all-time
number 3 spot on the all-time
number 3 spot on the all-time leaderboard
leaderboard
leaderboard [Applause]
number 8 Jaromir Jagr it doesn’t get any
number 8 Jaromir Jagr it doesn’t get any better
better
better aptly named the ageless wonder Jaromir
aptly named the ageless wonder Jaromir
aptly named the ageless wonder Jaromir Jagr was drafted from his native
Jagr was drafted from his native
Jagr was drafted from his native Czechoslovakia all the way back in 1990
Czechoslovakia all the way back in 1990
Czechoslovakia all the way back in 1990 but was somehow still plying his trade
but was somehow still plying his trade
but was somehow still plying his trade with style almost 30 years later
with style almost 30 years later
with style almost 30 years later currently second all-time behind only
currently second all-time behind only
currently second all-time behind only Wayne Gretzky and career points with
Wayne Gretzky and career points with
Wayne Gretzky and career points with over 1900 and third all time behind
over 1900 and third all time behind
over 1900 and third all time behind Gretzky and Howe and career goals
Gretzky and Howe and career goals
Gretzky and Howe and career goals Yaeger has cemented himself as one of
Yaeger has cemented himself as one of
Yaeger has cemented himself as one of the great offensive players in NHL
the great offensive players in NHL
the great offensive players in NHL history and one of the best european
history and one of the best european
history and one of the best european players to play on NHL ice yaga was
players to play on NHL ice yaga was
players to play on NHL ice yaga was showing no signs of slowing down
showing no signs of slowing down
showing no signs of slowing down even in his mid-40s proving that age is
even in his mid-40s proving that age is
even in his mid-40s proving that age is just a number maybe one day you’re gonna
just a number maybe one day you’re gonna
just a number maybe one day you’re gonna wake up set you know I don’t feel it
wake up set you know I don’t feel it
wake up set you know I don’t feel it anymore but if not they didn’t never
anymore but if not they didn’t never
anymore but if not they didn’t never come here number 7 Sidney Crosby while
come here number 7 Sidney Crosby while
come here number 7 Sidney Crosby while Alex Ovechkin has certainly staked his
Alex Ovechkin has certainly staked his
Alex Ovechkin has certainly staked his claim it’s hard to argue against Sidney
claim it’s hard to argue against Sidney
claim it’s hard to argue against Sidney Crosby as the greatest player of the
Crosby as the greatest player of the
Crosby as the greatest player of the modern NHL era since entering the league
modern NHL era since entering the league
modern NHL era since entering the league as the first overall pick in 2005 he’s
as the first overall pick in 2005 he’s
as the first overall pick in 2005 he’s earned every major trophy out there
earned every major trophy out there
earned every major trophy out there Olympic gold check world championship
Olympic gold check world championship
Olympic gold check world championship check Stanley Cup check that twice in
check Stanley Cup check that twice in
check Stanley Cup check that twice in terms of individual awards he’s earned
terms of individual awards he’s earned
terms of individual awards he’s earned the Art Ross rocket Rashard Ted Lindsey
the Art Ross rocket Rashard Ted Lindsey
the Art Ross rocket Rashard Ted Lindsey heart the list goes on Crosby has
heart the list goes on Crosby has
heart the list goes on Crosby has eclipsed over 100 points in five seasons
eclipsed over 100 points in five seasons
eclipsed over 100 points in five seasons and is a natural leader one of the most
and is a natural leader one of the most
and is a natural leader one of the most exciting players to ever grace NHL ice
exciting players to ever grace NHL ice
exciting players to ever grace NHL ice there’s no doubt that Sid the Kid is a
there’s no doubt that Sid the Kid is a
there’s no doubt that Sid the Kid is a future hall-of-famer
future hall-of-famer
future hall-of-famer you try that at home I’m telling you
you try that at home I’m telling you
you try that at home I’m telling you folks
folks
folks that’s near impossible number six
that’s near impossible number six
that’s near impossible number six Patrick would wha
Patrick revoir was entertaining
Patrick revoir was entertaining completely audacious and more than
completely audacious and more than
completely audacious and more than anything damn good between the pipes
anything damn good between the pipes
anything damn good between the pipes statistically speaking
statistically speaking
statistically speaking he’s a marvel having won four Stanley
he’s a marvel having won four Stanley
he’s a marvel having won four Stanley Cups earning three Conn Smythe Trophy
Cups earning three Conn Smythe Trophy
Cups earning three Conn Smythe Trophy zazz playoff MVP in the process he also
zazz playoff MVP in the process he also
zazz playoff MVP in the process he also holds the record for most playoff wins
holds the record for most playoff wins
holds the record for most playoff wins by a goalie his legend however goes
by a goalie his legend however goes
by a goalie his legend however goes beyond his impeccable statistics he’s
beyond his impeccable statistics he’s
beyond his impeccable statistics he’s commonly credited with popularizing the
commonly credited with popularizing the
commonly credited with popularizing the butterfly style which completely
butterfly style which completely
butterfly style which completely revolutionized the goaltender position
revolutionized the goaltender position
revolutionized the goaltender position in the league you see all the butterfly
in the league you see all the butterfly
in the league you see all the butterfly goalies no thanks Patrick
goalies no thanks Patrick
goalies no thanks Patrick but waz most distinguishing quality was
but waz most distinguishing quality was
but waz most distinguishing quality was his confidence as he backed up his
his confidence as he backed up his
his confidence as he backed up his swagger with his consistent ability to
swagger with his consistent ability to
swagger with his consistent ability to completely disrupt the opposing team’s
completely disrupt the opposing team’s
completely disrupt the opposing team’s game plan by stopping nearly every puck
game plan by stopping nearly every puck
game plan by stopping nearly every puck that came near him I can’t really heard
that came near him I can’t really heard
that came near him I can’t really heard what Germany says because I got like two
what Germany says because I got like two
what Germany says because I got like two Stanley Cup rings plug in my ear number
Stanley Cup rings plug in my ear number
Stanley Cup rings plug in my ear number five
five
five Maurice Rashard
while we were tempted to put other
while we were tempted to put other Canadians legends like Jean Beliveau and
Canadians legends like Jean Beliveau and
Canadians legends like Jean Beliveau and guy LeFleur on this list for their
guy LeFleur on this list for their
guy LeFleur on this list for their incredible achievements ultimately we
incredible achievements ultimately we
incredible achievements ultimately we can’t deny the rocket and his
can’t deny the rocket and his
can’t deny the rocket and his game-changing ability to put the puck in
game-changing ability to put the puck in
game-changing ability to put the puck in the net
the net
the net not only did Rashard wind up winning
not only did Rashard wind up winning
not only did Rashard wind up winning eight cups in Montreal
eight cups in Montreal
eight cups in Montreal he also ushered in a new era of hockey
he also ushered in a new era of hockey
he also ushered in a new era of hockey and became an iconic personality that
and became an iconic personality that
and became an iconic personality that transcended the game a wartime player
transcended the game a wartime player
transcended the game a wartime player who grew up on the tough streets of
who grew up on the tough streets of
who grew up on the tough streets of Montreal zbor Joe neighborhood Rashard
Montreal zbor Joe neighborhood Rashard
Montreal zbor Joe neighborhood Rashard revolutionized goal scoring becoming the
revolutionized goal scoring becoming the
revolutionized goal scoring becoming the first player to score 50 goals in 50
first player to score 50 goals in 50
first player to score 50 goals in 50 games for the people that saw watch it
games for the people that saw watch it
games for the people that saw watch it Rashard especially for the
Rashard especially for the
Rashard especially for the french-canadian he was their hero
french-canadian he was their hero
french-canadian he was their hero number four Mario Lemieux you know I’d
number four Mario Lemieux you know I’d
number four Mario Lemieux you know I’d seen that size before but never combined
seen that size before but never combined
seen that size before but never combined with that Talent Super Mario established
with that Talent Super Mario established
with that Talent Super Mario established himself as an all-time great in an era
himself as an all-time great in an era
himself as an all-time great in an era when Wayne Gretzky was shattering
when Wayne Gretzky was shattering
when Wayne Gretzky was shattering records but even for Gretzky it’s hard
records but even for Gretzky it’s hard
records but even for Gretzky it’s hard to overshadow a guy who’s six foot four
to overshadow a guy who’s six foot four
to overshadow a guy who’s six foot four Lemieux size and skill made him a
Lemieux size and skill made him a
Lemieux size and skill made him a nightmare for the league’s top
nightmare for the league’s top
nightmare for the league’s top defenseman and he currently sits second
defenseman and he currently sits second
defenseman and he currently sits second all-time and points per game average
all-time and points per game average
all-time and points per game average with 1.8 racing it all along his most
with 1.8 racing it all along his most
with 1.8 racing it all along his most prolific year was the 1988-89 season
prolific year was the 1988-89 season
prolific year was the 1988-89 season when Lemieux notched an incredible 199
when Lemieux notched an incredible 199
when Lemieux notched an incredible 199 points in just 76 games he also won
points in just 76 games he also won
points in just 76 games he also won back-to-back Stanley Cups for the
back-to-back Stanley Cups for the
back-to-back Stanley Cups for the Pittsburgh Penguins and he would go on
Pittsburgh Penguins and he would go on
Pittsburgh Penguins and he would go on to become part owner of the franchise he
to become part owner of the franchise he
to become part owner of the franchise he helped establish as a hockey powerhouse
helped establish as a hockey powerhouse
helped establish as a hockey powerhouse no single athlete has had a greater
no single athlete has had a greater
no single athlete has had a greater impact on the portions of a sports town
impact on the portions of a sports town
impact on the portions of a sports town than Mariano Lemieux has on Pittsburgh
than Mariano Lemieux has on Pittsburgh
than Mariano Lemieux has on Pittsburgh number three Gordie Howe you can see why
number three Gordie Howe you can see why
number three Gordie Howe you can see why Courtney how is said to be the greatest
Courtney how is said to be the greatest
Courtney how is said to be the greatest player in the history of a national
player in the history of a national
player in the history of a national hockey league mr. hockey may be the most
hockey league mr. hockey may be the most
hockey league mr. hockey may be the most complete player to ever step on the ice
complete player to ever step on the ice
complete player to ever step on the ice as brutal as he was graceful and as
as brutal as he was graceful and as
as brutal as he was graceful and as offensively dominant as he was
offensively dominant as he was
offensively dominant as he was defensively solid his name is synonymous
defensively solid his name is synonymous
defensively solid his name is synonymous with the game and for good reason the
with the game and for good reason the
with the game and for good reason the right place at the right time the board
right place at the right time the board
right place at the right time the board how one four Stanley Cups in his
how one four Stanley Cups in his
how one four Stanley Cups in his historic career all with the Detroit Red
historic career all with the Detroit Red
historic career all with the Detroit Red Wings and was a twenty three time
Wings and was a twenty three time
Wings and was a twenty three time all-star house reputation as a gentle
all-star house reputation as a gentle
all-star house reputation as a gentle giant a formidable physical presence on
giant a formidable physical presence on
giant a formidable physical presence on the ice and a gentleman off it made him
the ice and a gentleman off it made him
the ice and a gentleman off it made him the perfect ambassador for the sport and
the perfect ambassador for the sport and
the perfect ambassador for the sport and to this day nobody’s played in more NHL
to this day nobody’s played in more NHL
to this day nobody’s played in more NHL games over the line to his father
[Applause]
[Applause] number two Bobby Orr Bobby Orr invented
number two Bobby Orr Bobby Orr invented
number two Bobby Orr Bobby Orr invented the offensive defenseman commonly
the offensive defenseman commonly
the offensive defenseman commonly regarded as the creator of the demon
regarded as the creator of the demon
regarded as the creator of the demon rush or struck himself in the thick of
rush or struck himself in the thick of
rush or struck himself in the thick of the attack and reaped the rewards he’s
the attack and reaped the rewards he’s
the attack and reaped the rewards he’s the only defenseman ever to win the art
the only defenseman ever to win the art
the only defenseman ever to win the art Ross and for six straight years he
Ross and for six straight years he
Ross and for six straight years he earned over 100 points which was unheard
earned over 100 points which was unheard
earned over 100 points which was unheard of for defenseman when or entered the
of for defenseman when or entered the
of for defenseman when or entered the league few teams could contend with
league few teams could contend with
league few teams could contend with Orr’s combination of size and speed and
Orr’s combination of size and speed and
Orr’s combination of size and speed and his passing ability made him one of the
his passing ability made him one of the
his passing ability made him one of the greatest playmakers in the league a
greatest playmakers in the league a
greatest playmakers in the league a revolutionary figure in NHL history or
revolutionary figure in NHL history or
revolutionary figure in NHL history or has influenced countless players that
has influenced countless players that
has influenced countless players that followed his example before we unveil
followed his example before we unveil
followed his example before we unveil our number one pick here are some
our number one pick here are some
our number one pick here are some honorable mentions
of this same early on by Rozier forty
of this same early on by Rozier forty year old still have some
year old still have some
year old still have some ability number one Wayne Gretzky was
ability number one Wayne Gretzky was
ability number one Wayne Gretzky was there ever a question who was gonna take
there ever a question who was gonna take
there ever a question who was gonna take our number one spot nicknamed the great
our number one spot nicknamed the great
our number one spot nicknamed the great one for a reason Gretzky tops pretty
one for a reason Gretzky tops pretty
one for a reason Gretzky tops pretty much every major NHL records chart he’s
much every major NHL records chart he’s
much every major NHL records chart he’s the all-time points leader with nearly a
the all-time points leader with nearly a
the all-time points leader with nearly a thousand points and he’s the NHL’s top
thousand points and he’s the NHL’s top
thousand points and he’s the NHL’s top goal scorer with 894 career goals he’s
goal scorer with 894 career goals he’s
goal scorer with 894 career goals he’s also a four-time Stanley Cup winner and
also a four-time Stanley Cup winner and
also a four-time Stanley Cup winner and is the only player to have his number 99
is the only player to have his number 99
is the only player to have his number 99 retired league wide the face of hockey
retired league wide the face of hockey
retired league wide the face of hockey Gretzky was the top dog throughout the
Gretzky was the top dog throughout the
Gretzky was the top dog throughout the entirety of his 20-year career stunning
entirety of his 20-year career stunning
entirety of his 20-year career stunning the world when he was dealt from the
the world when he was dealt from the
the world when he was dealt from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings
Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings
Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings in what is commonly referred to as the
in what is commonly referred to as the
in what is commonly referred to as the trade promise mess I wouldn’t do this do
trade promise mess I wouldn’t do this do
trade promise mess I wouldn’t do this do you agree with our picks check out these
you agree with our picks check out these
you agree with our picks check out these other great clips from WatchMojo and
other great clips from WatchMojo and
other great clips from WatchMojo and subscribe for new videos every day
”
Be First to Comment