The Oldest Players In The NHL: The Top 10 Skaters That Defied Father Time

The oldest players in the NHL have defied age to extend their careers well beyond the norm.

From legends like Gordie Howe to modern-day veterans like Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, the oldest players in the NHL have showcased longevity, skill and passion.

We’ll take a look at the top 10 oldest players in NHL history, as well as the top 10 oldest players that are still lacing up their skates in the league today.

Here are the oldest players in the NHL:

The Oldest players in NHL history

Rank	Player	Age in final game	Years in league
1	Gordie Howe	52 years, 11 days	1946-1980
2	Chris Chelios	48 years, 71 days	1983-2010
3	Jaromir Jagr	45 years, 319 days	1990-2017
4	Zdeno Chara	45 years, 42 days	1996-2022
5	Doug Harvey	44 years, 100 days	1947-1969
6	Tim Horton	44 years, 39 days	1949-1974
7	Teemu Selanne	43 years, 317 days	1992-2014
8	Claude Lemieux	43 years, 277 days	1983-2009
9	Mark Recchi	43 years, 134 days	1988-2011
10	Igor Larionov	43 years, 129 days	1989-2004

1. Gordie Howe | 52 years, 11 days | 1946-1980

Gordie Howe, known as “Mr. Hockey”, enjoyed a lengthy and legendary career spanning five decades, making him the oldest player in NHL history.

Howe, who played well into his 50s, primarily played for the Detroit Red Wings where he won four Stanley Cups, six NHL MVPs and six Art Ross Trophies. He is renowned for his scoring, toughness and longevity.

2. Chris Chelios | 48 years, 71 days | 1983-2010

Chris Chelios had a stellar 26-year career in the NHL as he was one of the oldest players in NHL history. He is primarily known for his time on the Chicago Blackhawks and Red Wings.

A three-time Norris Trophy winner, he earned three Stanley Cups and was celebrated for his defensive skill, toughness and leadership, cementing his place among hockey’s all-time greats.

3. Jaromir Jagr | 45 years, 319 days | 1990-2017

Jaromir Jagr was one of the oldest players in NHL history as he played until he was almost 46 years old. His career spanned over three decades with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers and more.

A two-time Stanley Cup champion, he won five Art Ross Trophies and he ranks second all-time in career points.

4. Zdeno Chara | 45 years, 42 days | 1996-2022

Zdeno Chara is one of the tallest players in NHL history and one of the oldest players in NHL history.

Chara enjoyed a 24-season career, primarily with the Boston Bruins. A Norris Trophy winner and 2011 Stanley Cup champion, Chara’s leadership, physical dominance and longevity defined his legendary career.

5. Doug Harvey | 44 years, 100 days | 1947-1969

Former Montreal Canadien Doug Harvey is next up on our list of oldest players in NHL history.

He won six Stanley Cups and seven Norris Trophies in his career. Renowned for his puck-moving play and leadership, he was also the NHL’s last player-coach, finishing a distinguished career in 1969.

6. Tim Horton | 44 years, 39 days | 1949-1974

Legendary defenseman Tim Horton played well into his 40s primarily for the Toronto Maple Leafs, making him one of the oldest players in NHL history. 

Horton was a key part of Toronto’s 1960s dynasty. His legacy extends beyond hockey as he was the co-founder of the iconic Tim Hortons coffee chain.

7. Teemu Selanne | 43 years, 317 days | 1992-2014

Teemu Selanne, “The Finnish Flash”, dazzled in his 21 NHL seasons, which were mostly with the Anaheim Ducks, making him one of the oldest players in NHL history.

A 10-time All-Star and 2007 Stanley Cup champion, Selanne is the NHL’s all-time rookie scoring leader. He is renowned for his speed, skill and class as he is a global ambassador for hockey.

8. Claude Lemieux | 43 years, 277 days | 1983-2009

Claude Lemieux is one of the oldest players in NHL history as he played 21 seasons in the league winning four Stanley Cups with three teams.

Lemieux is known for his playoff heroics. He earned the 1995 Conn Smythe Trophy with the New Jersey Devils. His mix of scoring, toughness and intensity is rare in hockey.

9. Mark Recchi | 43 years, 134 days | 1988-2011

Mark Recchi played 22 years in the NHL until he was 43 years old, which makes him one of the oldest players in NHL history. He won the Stanley Cup three times with three different teams.

Recchi excelled as a scorer and playmaker. His longevity, leadership and consistency solidified his place as one of the all-time greats.

10.  Igor Larionov | 43 years, 129 days | 1989-2004

Igor Larionov rounds out our list of oldest players in NHL history. He was a cerebral center who brought finesse and vision to the NHL from the Soviet Union.

He won three Stanley Cups with the Red Wings and he was a key part of the “Russian Five.” Larionov’s skill and intelligence redefined playmaking, earning him a place in the Hall of Fame.

The Oldest players in the NHL today

Rank	Player	Age	Years in league
1	Ryan Suter	40 years	2005-Present
2	Brent Burns	40 years	2003-Present
3	Corey Perry	40 years	2005-Present
4	Alexander Ovechkin	39 years	2005-Present
5	Jonathan Quick	39 years	2007-Present
6	Evgeni Malkin	38 years	2006-Present
7	Derek Ryan	38 years	2016-Present
8	Trevor Lewis	38 years	2008-Present
9	Jack Johnson	38 years	2007-Present
10	Sidney Crosby	37 years	2005-Present

1. Ryan Suter | 40 years | 2005-Present

Ryan Suter is the oldest player in the NHL today. The dependable defenseman has enjoyed a long NHL career since debuting in 2005.

Known for his strong two-way play and durability, he spent significant time with the Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars. Suter’s leadership and steady presence have earned him All-Star nods and over 1,000 career games.

2. Brent Burns | 40 years | 2003-Present

Brent Burns is about a month and a half younger than Suter, but he is still one of the oldest players in the NHL today.

Burns’ transition from forward to defense changed his career. He has starred with the Wild, San Jose Sharks and Carolina Hurricanes, earning a Norris Trophy, multiple All-Star selections and over 800 career points.

3. Corey Perry | 40 years | 2005-Present

Corey Perry made his NHL debut in 2005 and he is one of the oldest players in the NHL today.

A Stanley Cup champion with the Ducks in 2007, he also won the NHL MVP and Rocket Richard Trophies in 2011. Currently, Perry is a key part of the Edmonton Oilers, a top contender in Stanley Cup odds.

4. Alexander Ovechkin | 39 years | 2005-Present

Alexander Ovechkin is the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer passing Wayne Gretzky in 2025, and he is one of the oldest players in the NHL today.

Ovechkin has won multiple Rocket Richard and MVP Trophies and he led the Capitals to their first Stanley Cup in 2018.

5. Jonathan Quick | 39 years | 2007-Present

Elite goaltender Jonathan Quick is just inside the top five of our oldest players in the NHL today.

Quick debuted with the Los Angeles Kings and he now plays for the New York Rangers. He led the Kings to two Stanley Cups, earning the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2012.

6. Evgeni Malkin | 38 years | 2006-Present

Up next in our list of oldest NHL players today is Penguins legend Evgeni Malkin. He has been with the Penguins his entire career.

Malkin is a three-time Stanley Cup champion and a Conn Smythe, MVP and Art Ross Trophy winner. Malkin remains a key piece to the Penguins core alongside Sidney Crosby.

7. Derek Ryan | 38 years | 2016-Present

While Derek Ryan didn’t debut in the NHL until he was 29 years old, he remains one of the oldest players in the NHL today.

Ryan was undrafted and found his way to the league with the Hurricanes after success in Europe and college. Now playing for the Oilers, he has surpassed 600 NHL games.

8. Trevor Lewis | 38 years | 2008-Present

Drafted in the first round in 2006, Trevor Lewis is one of the oldest players in the NHL today.

A dependable fourth-liner and penalty killer, Lewis helped the Kings win two Stanley Cups in his career, which has lasted over 1,000 games since his debut in 2008.

9. Jack Johnson | 38 years | 2007-Present

Jack Johnson was the third overall pick in the 2005 NHL Draft, making his debut in 2007, and he is one of the oldest players in the NHL today.

A physical, two-way defenseman, he won the Stanley Cup in 2022 with the Colorado Avalanche and he’s played in well over 1,000 games in his career.

10. Sidney Crosby | 37 years | 2005-Present

The first overall draft pick in 2005, Sidney Crosby rounds out our list of oldest players in the NHL today.

A three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Penguins, he’s won multiple MVPs, Art Ross, Rocket Richard and Conn Smythe Trophies. Crosby is top 10 all-time in scoring in the NHL.

The Oldest players in the NHL FAQs

Who is the oldest player in the NHL right now?

The oldest player in the NHL right now is Ryan Suter. He was born on January 21, 1985, making him one of four players in the NHL currently to be born in 1985. Suter’s leadership and steady presence have earned him All-Star nods and over 1,000 career games.

What is the average age of NHL players?

The average age of NHL players is between 27 and 28 years old. Goaltenders tend to be the oldest position group in the NHL. Goaltenders average between 28 and 30 years old while forwards and defensemen average between 27 and 29 years old.

How has the average age of NHL players changed over the years?

The average age of NHL players has dramatically changed over the years. The NHL was a younger-skewed league in the 1980s and transitioned to an older league in the 1990s. It went back to a younger-skewed league in the late 2000s before steadily aging again in the last few decades.

How old is Gordie Howe?

Gordie Howe played in the NHL until he was 52 years old, becoming the only NHL player to ever play in his 50s and the oldest player in NHL history. Howe’s last NHL game was in 1980 when he was 52 years and 11 days old. His career spanned over five decades.

How old was Armand Guidolin?

Armand Guidolin is the youngest player in NHL history. He made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins on November 12, 1942, at just 16 years and 338 days old. His record of being the youngest player to ever play in an NHL game still stands nearly a century later.

How old is Wayne Gretzky?

Wayne Gretzky, largely regarded as the greatest player in NHL history, played his final NHL game on April 18, 1999, at 38 years old. “The Great One” missed out on the list of oldest NHL players by about five years.

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