Top 10 richest hockey players in the world and their net worths

Top 10 richest hockey players in the world and their net worths

Lenah Ann
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:26 PM

Well! Well! Well! By now, it is crystal clear that some of the wealthiest people in the world are athletes. With some owning the largest companies in the world, others purchase distinct properties like islands and even towns. But does NHL produce some of these personalities? Find out details about some of the top richest hockey players in the world as of 2023.

Top richest hockey players in the world
Top 10 richest hockey players in the world and their net worth. Photo: Phil Ashley (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Most hockey players have struggled to keep up with the Joneses financially. Far from it, before even the National Hockey League instituted a salary cap in 2005, players would demand vast sums of money, influencing their salaries at the end of the day. Today, most athletes have known their way around the corporate world, signing endorsement deals away from the pitch to get that extra coin into the bank.

Top 10 richest hockey players of all-time

Hockey is quite popular, especially in countries like Canada, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. According to various online sources, SportsBrief has compiled a list of the richest hockey players in the world as of 2023. Keep in mind that not only are these athletes wealthy but also categorised among the greatest hockey players of all time.

10. Robert Blake - $60 million

Top richest hockey players in the world
General manager Rob Blake of the Los Angeles Kings looks on prior to the first round of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bell Centre on 7 July 2022 in Montreal, Quebec. Photo: Jeff Vinnick
Source: Getty Images

Robert Blake is a former hockey player who manages the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League. He had quite a decorated career, winning Olympic and world championship gold medals and the Stanley Cup. Even though he is currently a retired player, he managed to amass a career income of around $74.8 million.

Position

Defenseman

Team(s)

San Jose Sharks (2001 to 2006), Colorado Avalanche (1989 to 1991, 2006 to 2008), and Los Angeles Kings (2008 to 2010)

Career earnings

$74.8 million

Estimated net worth

$60 million

9. Nicklas Lidstrom - $60 million

List of richest hockey players in the world
Nicklas Lidstrom is introduced before an NHL game against the Washington Capitals at Little Caesars Arena on 3 November 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. Photo: Dave Reginek
Source: Getty Images

To date, Nicklas Lidstrom is still regarded as hockey's top defenseman of all time. Having played with the Detroit Wings, he was part of four Stanley Cup victories in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008.

He got selected as the 53rd overall pick during the 1989 NHL draft and has since been regarded as the best defender in NHL history. As of 2023, Nicklas is vice president of hockey operations for the Detroit Red Wings.

Position

Defenseman

Team(s)

Detroit Red Wings (1987 to 2012)

Career earnings

$42.5 million

Estimated net worth

$60 million

8. Paul Tetsuhiko Kariya - $64 million

Top richest hockey players in the world
Paul Kariya waves to the crowd during a ceremony honoring his induction to the Hall of Fame on 19 November 2017 in Anaheim, California. Photo: Debora Robinson
Source: Getty Images

One common thing about most of the names you will encounter on the list is that they are retired hockey players, and Paul Tetsuhiko is no exception.

Based in Canada, Paul is a veteran and quick skater offensive athlete who played 15 seasons for the Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, and St Louis Blues of the National Hockey League.

Position

Winger

Team(s)

Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, and St Louis Blues (1995 to 2010)

Career earnings

$82.6 million

Estimated net worth

$65 million

7. Joe Thornton - $65 million

List of richest hockey players in the world
Joe Thornton of the Florida Panthers skates against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at Centre Bell on 29 April 2022 in Montreal, Canada. Photo: Minas Panagiotakis
Source: Getty Images

Joe Thornton's career at the NHL included the high-paying, pre-salary cap decades, which consequently landed him a sizeable sum as the Sharks' captain and public face in the middle of the 2000s and at the beginning of the 2010s. He even won the Hart Trophy in 2006 thanks to his efforts.

Position

Centre

Team(s)

San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers (1997–2005). (2021-present)

Career earnings

$110 million

Estimated net worth

$65 million

6. Chris Pronger - $65 million

Top richest hockey players in the world
Chris Pronger acknowledges fans during his jersey retirement ceremony prior to a game against the Nashville Predators on 17 January 2022 in St Louis, Missouri. Photo: Dilip Vishwanat
Source: Getty Images

Chris Pronger has a factual claim to being one of the greatest defensemen the NHL has ever seen. Most of his earnings came from his seven-year choice to play from the $34 million-worth contract he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Additionally, he earned his income from being one of the most physically dominant athletes in his era. He won the Hart Trophy in 2001, participated in the back-to-back Stanley Cup finals, and helped Anaheim win the trophy in 2007.

Position

Defenseman

Team(s)

St Louis Blues (1995 to 2005), Hartford Whalers (1993 to 1995), Edmonton Oilers (2005 to 2006), Anaheim Ducks (2006 to 2009), and Philadelphia Flyers (2006 to 2009)

Career earnings

$111.4 million

Estimated net worth

$65 million

5. Joe Sakic - $65 million

List of richest hockey players in the world
General manager Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche speaks onstage during the first round of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bell Centre on 7 July 2022 in Montreal, Quebec. Photo: Jeff Vinnick
Source: Getty Images

Joe Sakic's career was hugely spent before the National Hockey League implemented a wage cap salary in 2005. He served a s a the spokesperson for two Stanley Cup-winning squads in Colorado. And being one of the squad members of the notorious expensive Avalanche, Joe had the right to a $17 million contract for the 1997/98 season.

As of 2023, the retired famous athlete continues to raise his net worth as the Avalanche's general manager.

Position

Centre

Team(s)

Quebec Nordiques and the Colorado Avalanche (1988 to 2009)

Career earnings

$109.9 million

Estimated net worth

$65 million

4. Pavel Vladimirovich Bure - $70 million

Richest hockey players of all time
Pavel Bure of the Vancouver Canucks looks on against the New Jersey Devils during an NHL Hockey game circa 1991 at the Pacifica Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

At the fourth position sits another legendary hockey player, Pavel Bure, famously dubbed the Russian Rocket. The Panthers honoured him with a lucrative five-year contract after stealing him from the Canucks during the 1999/00 season.

Pavel was one sought-after hockey gurus in Panthers history who helped put south Florida hockey on the map. Even though his career was cut short due to severe injuries he encountered in one of the seasons, his influence in the NHL is still felt.

Position

Right winger

Team(s)

New York Rangers 2002 to 2003), Florida Panthers (1999 to 2002), and Vancouver Canucks (1991 to 1999)

Career earnings

$66 million

Estimated net worth

$70 million

3. Alexander Ovechkin - $80 million

Famously dubbed the Great Eight, Alexander Ovechkin is a Russian-based professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League. Second, to Wayne Gretzky, he is regarded as the greatest goal-scorer of all time.

His fame skyrocketed following the 13-year contract he signed in 2008 with the Washington Capitals. By the agreement, Ovechkin received an average of $9.5 million per year, making him one of the wealthiest athletes in NHL history.

Position

Left winger

Team(s)

Dynamo Moscow (2001 to 2005 and Washington Capitals (2005 to present)

Career earnings

$127.2 million

Estimated net worth

$80 million

2. Mario Lemieux - $200 million

Richest hockey players
Mario Lemieux, owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins attends the 2017 NHL Awards at T-Mobile Arena on 21 June 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Bruce Bennett
Source: Getty Images

Mario Lemieux is a retired professional ice hockey player hailing from Canada. He was a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1984 to 2006 and took part in 17 NHL seasons until owning the team in 1999.

Even though his career was ultimately cut short due to severe injuries, Mario Lemieux is still one of the greatest hockey players the National Hockey League has ever seen.

Position

Centre

Team(s)

Pittsburgh Penguins (1984 to 1997, 2000 to 2006)

Career earnings

$54.5 million

Estimated net worth

$200 million

1. Wayne Gretzky - $250 million

Top 10 richest hockey players
Wayne Gretzky attends the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Boston Bruins at Fenway Park on 2 January 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Ben Jackson
Source: Getty Images

And to the wealthiest hockey player of all time, meet Wayne Gretzky, a Canadian-based former professional ice hockey player and former head coach who played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League from 1979 to 1999.

Throughout his career, he got nicknamed the Great One, as no one had ever seen an athlete so skilled in hockey as he was. Since Gretzky is still contributing to Turner's NHL coverage, his net worth is bound to rise.

Position

Centre

Team(s)

Edmonton Oilers (1979 to 1988), Los Angeles Kings (1988 to 1996), St Louis Blues (1996), and New York Rangers (1996 to 1999)

Career earnings

$46 million

Estimated net worth

$250 million

Notably, some of the richest hockey players of all time have purchased the teams they once played for, all to add that extra coin into the bank account. Additionally, you will realise that most of them have not earned substantial net worth from their career earnings but rather from sponsorship and endorsement deals.

READ ALSO: What are the lacrosse rules and regulations? How to play the game

Sports Brief has recently published an article about lacrosse, including details about its rules and regulations. It is popular in some regions of the world and is played by both genders according to age groups, and different ages have different lacrosse rules and regulations.

Lacrosse is a team sport played using a stick and a hard rubber ball. If this sounds like your next leisure activity, click the link above to learn more about lacrosse.

Authors
Lenah Ann photo
Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.
Tags
World