The hockey GOAT discussion is interesting, but it is a bit more straightforward than similar discussions about other sports. Most consider Wayne Gretzky the clear choice as the greatest hockey player ever. Considering Gretzky’s career accomplishments in the NHL, this is no surprise. However, there is one other player that should be mentioned, as well. Let’s discuss who is the greatest hockey player of all time.

Hockey GOAT: Wayne Gretzky’s Case as the Greatest Hockey Player Ever

Our NHL point leaders article made it clear that Gretzky is the all-time leader in career NHL points, goals, and assists. His dominance is quite apparent. Jaromir Jagr ranks second in all-time career NHL points with 1.921 points. Gretzky has more career assists, 1,963 than Jagr has total career NHL points.

Because of this, many hockey fans agree that Gretzky is the greatest hockey player ever. Gretzky technically went undrafted, being traded to the Oilers before they joined the NHL following the collapse of the World Hockey Association. As such, he was never in the NHL draft, but he would likely have gone first overall.

Gretzky won four Stanley Cups during his NHL career. He is one of the main reasons for the NHL’s rise to relevance in mainstream sports. Any merchandise related to Wayne Gretzky is still highly sought after by many hockey fans today. It seems unlikely that any player will ever match Gretzky’s historical significance to the NHL and hockey in general.

Mario Lemieux’s Case as the Hockey GOAT

Despite Gretzky’s overall dominance, some still consider Mario Lemieux the greatest hockey player ever. Lemieux played parts of 17 NHL seasons in total, missing quite a few games due to a severe back injury and other health problems. Still, he amassed 1,723 points in a total of 915 NHL games.

That means Lemieux averaged 1.88 points per game in his NHL career. He won back-to-back Stanley Cup titles with the Penguins in 1991 and 1992. Additionally, he won the Hart Trophy four times, meaning he was a four-time NHL MVP. Only Gretzky averaged more points and more assists per game over his career than Lemieux.

The fact that Lemieux accomplished so much as a hockey player despite missing so many games speaks volumes about his greatness.

Wayne Gretzky Is Our Choice as the Greatest Hockey Player Ever

Mario Lemieux had a phenomenal NHL career aside from missing so many games due to health issues. He is an all-time great and in the conversation about the greatest hockey player ever. Additionally, despite what he did accomplish, his career is a huge what-if in hockey history. After all, Lemieux was on pace to break Gretzky’s records if he had played more games.

Still, what-ifs aside, Wayne Gretzky’s hockey resume is unmatched. Gretzky holds multiple records that have stood the test of time and will likely continue to do so. This is particularly true when discussing his NHL points record. He averaged an absurd 1.92 points per game in his NHL career.

Wayne Gretzky is our choice as the greatest hockey player ever, although Mario Lemieux also enjoyed an incredible hockey career.

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