Learn About The Top Hockey Players
The top hockey players can very quickly become a heated discussion.
After all depending on who you talk to will depend on who they feel
are the best of the best. While here are my 5 top picks and a little bit
of history about each. Agree or disagree that’s up to you!
Gordie Howe- Mr. Hockey became Gordie’s nickname.
Howe was born in 1928 in Floral Saskatchewan. He started playing
hockey at 8 and at 16 he was signed by the Detroit Red Wings moving
through the Ontario junior team to the Omaha Knights and then to the
Red Wings.
Howe was teamed with Lindsay and Abel in what soon became
known as one of the greatest NHL combinations. He played 33 pro
season, serving 25 years with the Detroit Red Wings. He set many
hockey records that weren’t beat for many years to come.
Wayne Gretzky- became known as the great one.
Gretzky was born in Brantford Ontario in 1961 where he learned to
play hockey in an outside rink. In 1978 at the age of 17 he lead his
team to take a bronze in the World Junior Championships.
He began his professional career in 1978 with the WHA. During
the 1978-79 season he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers beginning
his professional hockey career. And shall we say the rest is
history.
Gretzky won seven straight Art Ross Trophies accumulating 10 in
total. He broke and set records for the most points, the most goals,
and the most assists in one season. He also took two Conn Smythe
trophies and a host of other rewards through out his career.
Although Gretzky might not be playing professional hockey
anymore he’s certainly not done with Hockey. He’s a team owner and
this year he’s going to coach. The Gretzky spirits keeps on!
Bobby Hull- became known as the golden jet. He was
born in Point Anne Ontario in 1939 and enjoyed a successful junior
hockey career. In his rookie year with the Chicago Blackhawks he
scored 47 points in 70 games. An amazing accomplishment for an 18
year old kid.
Hull continued to impress the hockey fan becoming known for his
booming slap shot and his incredible speed. He won his first Art Ross
trophy in 1959-60 for points and in 1968-69 he set a new NHL record
for most goals scored at 58 goals. Over his career he earned many
awards.
Bobby Orr - Bobby was born in Parry Sound Ontario in
1948. In 1960 the Boston Bruins recruited him as a 12 year
defensemen for the bantam tournament. At age 14 he had already
been signed to a junior contract with the Bruins that saw him playing
with the Oshawa Generals.
At 18 he joined the Bruins to play NHL hockey. Bobby Orr had
amazing impact on the game of hockey. He pioneered the rushing
defensemen. Orr won the Norris Trophy for best defenseman for 8
years running. He also took the Art Ross trophy in 1970 as well as a
host of other trophies. In 1971 he scored 102 assists, 33 goals and
139 points. This record would stand until 1986.
Ongoing new injuries forced Bobby to take early retirement in
1971.
Mario Lemieux- known as the magnificent was born in
1965 in Montreal Quebec. Mario was a hot player from a young age
and in 1983 in the World Junior Championships he recorded 10 points
on the bronze metal team. His first NHL play was with the Boston
Bruins, chalking up 100 points in his rookie year.
One of his most famous goals was in the 1987 Canada Cup. He
remained strong throughout his career winning many awards and
setting many records. Even Hodgkin’s disease a treatable form of
cancer couldn’t hold him back. After retiring and returning in 2002 he
finally ended his professional playing. In 1997 he was inducted into
the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Of course there are plenty of other top hockey players. In fact we
could write about the trials and tribulations of the best of the best in
NHL Hockey. But we’ll leave those heated discussions up to you!
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