Who are the 10 best Canadian hockey players in the world?

Canada has produced exceptional, world-class hockey greats who have graced the international stage with their talents and skills. From legendary pioneers to contemporary superstars, Canadian hockey players have enjoyed remarkable careers in the NHL and inspired many generations.

From seasoned veterans to up-and-coming talents, Canadian hockey players represent the best in the sport. They inspire reverence and respect on ice across the globe with their unmatched talent, unshakable commitment, and pure passion for the sport.

Best Canadian hockey players

Sports Brief has compiled a list ranking the top 10 best Canadian hockey players and their profiles as of 2024. The information is based on players' statistics, relevant metrics, and analysis from various online sources such as InsideSport and Quant Hockey.

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NBA

10. Mario Lemieux

• Date of birth: 5 October 1965
• Age: 58 (as of April 2024)
• Birthplace: Montreal, Canada
• Career: 1984 - 2006
• Shot: Right

Mario Lemieux, also known as "Super Mario," is a top French-Canadian hockey player. Hockey Writers ranks him among the greatest players in history.

Lemieux played for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL for 17 seasons and assumed ownership in 1999. His ability to combine strength, agility, size, and imagination made him one of the all-time greats.

9. Grant Fuhr

• Date of birth: 28 September 1962
• Age: 61 (as of April 2024)
• Birthplace: Spruce Grove, Canada
• Career: 1981 - 2000
• Caught: Right

Grant Fuhr was a goaltending trailblazer and one of the most famous black Canadian hockey players. He was the first black Canadian hockey star inducted into the Hall of Fame (2003). Fuhr is also a six-time NHL All-Star and has lifted the Stanley Cup once.

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NHL

8. Mitch Marner

• Date of birth: 5 May 1997
• Age: 26 (as of April 2024)
• Birthplace: Markham, Canada
• Career: 2015 - present
• Shot: Right

Mitchell Marner is a talented NHL right winger for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The rising star has made 386 assists in 507 regular season games over his seven seasons in the league. According to his NHL stats, Marner has bagged 193 goals and 438 assists in 570 games as of April 2024.

7. Steven Stamkos

• Date of birth: 7 February 1990
• Age: 34 (as of April 2024)
• Birthplace: Markham, Canada
• Career: 2008 - present
• Shot: Right

Stamkos has established himself as one of the NHL's top goal-scorers thanks to his lethal shot and creative offensive style. The ice hockey forward plays for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

He won two Maurice "Rocket" Richard trophies as the league's top goal scorer (2010 and 2012). Stamkos also earned two NHL second-team All-Star selections (2011 and 2012).

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NHL

6. Jonathan Huberdeau

• Date of birth: 4 June 1993
• Age: 30 (as of April 2024)
• Birthplace: Saint-Jérôme, Canada
• Career: 2011 - present
• Shot: Left

Jonathan is one of the most famous Canadian hockey players. The Florida Panthers drafted him third overall in 2011. He won the 2013 Calder Trophy as the Rookie of the Year. The NHL forward left the Panthers in 2022 to join the Calgary Flames. Jonathan led the Panthers in scoring for four consecutive seasons from 2018 to 2022.

5. Cale Makar

• Date of birth: 30 October 1998
• Age: 25 (as of April 2024)
• Birthplace: Calgary, Canada
• Career: 2019 - present
• Shot: Right

Makar ranks among the NHL's top-rated players because of his flawless combination of skill and speed. Colorado Avalanche drafted him with the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NHL draft. Makar won the 2022 Stanley Cup with the Avalanche and the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the best defenceman of the year.

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NHL

4. Sidney Crosby

• Date of birth: 7 August 1987
• Age: 36 (as of April 2024)
• Birthplace: Cole Harbour, Canada
• Career: 2005 - present
• Shot: Left

Sidney Crosby captains the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL. He has won three Stanley Cups (2009, 2016, and 2017) and multiple honours thanks to his leadership, talent, and unmatched work ethic. Crosby also bagged two MVP awards in 2016 and 2017.

3. Nathan MacKinnon

• Date of birth: 1 September 1995
• Age: 28 (as of April 2024)
• Birthplace: Halifax Regional Municipality, Canada
• Career: 2013 - present
• Shot: Right

The Colorado Avalanche selected MacKinnon in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. He is an alternate captain and among the NHL's finest players from Canada. The talented centre won the 2014 NHL Rookie Award and the 2022 Stanley Cup with the Avalanche.

2. Connor McDavid

• Date of birth: 13 January 1997
• Age: 27 (as of April 2024)
• Birthplace: Richmond Hill, Canada
• Career: 2015 - present
• Shot: Left

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NHL

Connor McDavid stands out as one of the best Canadian hockey players as of 2024 for his incredible talent and unrivalled offensive prowess. He joined the Edmonton Oilers in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft as the first overall pick and now captains the NHL club. McDavid has three Hart Trophies and has topped the league in points in five seasons.

1. Wayne Gretzky

• Date of birth: 26 January 1961
• Age: 63 (as of April 2024)
• Birthplace: Brantford, Canada
• Career: 1979 - 1999
• Shot: Left

Wayne Gretzky is a legendary Canadian ice hockey player and coach. He starred for four teams (Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers) in his 20 NHL seasons for four teams.

Known by his nickname, "the Great One," Gretzky has earned praise from hockey enthusiasts and experts, who consider him among the best Canadian hockey players of all time, if not the best.

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NHL

Frequently asked questions

Most fans are excitedly looking forward to the future as they commemorate Canadian hockey's outstanding past and present since most of the nation's players have captured their attention. Here are the frequently asked questions about Canadian hockey players.

Who is the Canadian ice hockey superstar?

Wayne Gretzky is arguably the best ice hockey player in the nation, from achieving significant milestones as a player to guiding Canada to their first Olympic gold medal in men's hockey as the general manager. According to Vault, Gretzky handpicked the team that made history.

How many professional hockey players are in Canada?

As of April 2024, Statista reported that Canada has approximately 1,078 professional players. The North American nation also has the highest number of active NHL players.

Why is hockey special in Canada?

Most Canadians choose ice hockey as their favourite sport. It unites people from every race, socioeconomic line, and background. The sport holds a special place in the country's culture.

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NHL

Final word

Canadian hockey players are among the best in the world and a source of great inspiration to millions of fans and aspiring players. The country's hockey future looks bright with the emergence of bright prospects and stars making waves in the NHL.

READ ALSO: Which are the most popular NHL teams in the history of the game?

Sports Brief published an article on the most popular NHL teams and their achievements. The league has 32 teams, seven in Canada and 25 in the USA. Their popularity differs depending on their Legacy, Success, and Geography. Follow the above link to discover the popular NHL teams.