Thursday 2 June 2011

Famous Hockey Players

Like any sport, hockey is also a highly challenging and competitive game, wherein two teams play against each other in the effort to direct the ball or a puck straight into the opponents net by using a hockey stick. Sportsmen and women have enthralled the hearts and minds of myriads of people for centuries. Their hard work, diligence and perseverance on the field of hockey left the audiences mesmerized and entertained for centuries. Of the scores of hockey players who gained fame in the game and vanished into thin air, some have stood out so prominently so as to etch their places into our hearts forever. Let's have a look at some of the famous hockey players that have entertained thousands over their sports career.

First 5 Famous Hockey Players Names

Selecting the first 5 famous field hockey players of all times is not an easy task. While choosing the top 5, various criteria like scoring, passing, leadership skills, skating, etc. need to be kept in mind. Based on these different characteristics and skills, judgment is to be passed and the award is to be rewarded. Below is some information on the top 5 famous hockey players of all times.

Wayne Gretzky

This Canadian ice hockey professional happens to hold the title of the 'greatest hockey player of all times'. No wonder he was nicknamed 'The Great One'. This hockey legend's playing career began in 1978 and by the time he retired on April 18, 1999, the man had 40 regular-season records, 6 All-Star records and 15 playoff records under his belt. In fact he is the only NHL (National Hockey League) player to have a total of over 200 points in one season. This Herculean task Wayne Gretzky accomplished 4 times. As soon as he retired, Gretzky was absorbed into the hockey wall of fame. His playing career has been etched into hockey's golden history.

Mario Lemieux

Yet another Canadian ice hockey professional, Mario Lemieux had a playing career from 1984-2006. This talented fast skater and playmaker was well known for beating defencemen with fakes and dekes and was NHL's most deadly goal and point scorer for each game. He played for the Pittsburgh Penguins of NHL as a forward for 17 seasons from 1984 to 2005. However, unlike Gretzky, Lemieux did not play for a prominent team. Moreover, his sport's career was plagued by several health issues. He suffered from several medical conditions like cancer, back pain, spinal disc herniation and chronic tendinitis of a hip-flexor muscle. The pain would be so excruciating that other people had to tie his skates for him. However, despite these setbacks he came and continued playing the game. In 2006, when he retired, he had the seventh place in the 'all-time scorer' award with 690 goals and 1,033 assists.

Bobby Orr

This Canadian ice hockey player enthralled crowds and sports fans during his 12 year playing career from 1966-1978. This greatly acknowledged defenceman had his NHL career comprising two seasons with Chicago Black Hawks and the remaining part of his career with Boston Bruins. He won the record of eight straight Norris Trophies, thereby being titled as NHL's best defenceman. He also won the title of NHL's most valuable player after he lead Boston Bruins to three regular season first-place finishes. On retirement, Orr partnered with Paul Krepelka and Rick Curran and became a player agent.

Maurice "The Rocket" Richard

With a player career from 1942-1960, Joseph Henri Maurice or Rocket Richard happened to be the first hockey player in his era to score 50 goals in 50 games. Moreover, he was the first player to score 500 goals in the hockey career. He was the captain of four consecutive straight cup wins from 1957-1960 and also won the Stanley Cup eight times in Montreal. On retirement Rocket Richard had 544 goals to his credit along with the credit of leading the league in goals 5 times. At the time of his retirement he was NHL's all time-leading scorer.

Gordie Howe

There isn't a hockey player in the history of hockey who has played more games than this legendary player, Gordie Howe. Beginning his player career in 1946, Howe happens to be the only player to have competed in the NHL in 5 (1940s through 1980s) different decades. Wow! What an achievement! He spent 25 fantastic seasons with the Detroit Red Wings and holds under his belt the record for the most goals (786). He also holds the title of gaining the most points, that is 1809 points in a hockey player's career and the most career assists; 1023. This all round player had mastered the art of shooting, scoring, stickhandling as well as the other hockey techniques involved in the game. He played till he was 52 and retired finally in 1980.

The famous hockey players list goes further on to include outstanding players like Dominik Hasek, Doug Harvey, Guy Lafleur, Scott Stevens, Mark Messier and so on. These players have put their heart and soul into the game, spending all their time training diligently to give all they've got into the game. People like Lemieux with all their ailments still persevered and never let their goal out of their sight. No wonder they are famous and loved worldwide!

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