The Shortest Players In The NHL: The 10 Shortest Players To Ever Skate On NHL Ice

Hockey can be a game of giants, with towering defenseman and dominant forwards, but size isn’t everything and the shortest players in NHL history prove just that.

Guys like Roy “Shrimp” Worters at 5-foot-3 and Nathan Gerbe at 5-foot-4 redefined what it means to stand tall in the toughest league on ice.

With more of an emphasis on speed and skill than ever before, the shortest players in the NHL today are really thriving in the league.

Here is a look at the shortest players in the NHL:

The Shortest players in NHL history

Rank	Player	Height	Years in league
1	Roy “Shrimp” Worters	5’3″	1925-1937
2	Nathan Gerbe	5’4″	2008-2021
3	Theoren Fleury	5’6″	1988-2003
4	Brian Gionta	5’7″	2001-2018
5	Henri “Pocket Rocket” Richard	5’7″	1955-1975
6	Cole Caufield	5’7″	2021-Present
7	Domenick Fensore	5’7″	2023-Present
8	Logan Stankoven	5’7″	2024-Present
9	Trey Fix-Wolansky	5’7″	2022-Present
10	Mats Zuccarello	5’8″	2010-Present

1. Roy “Shrimp” Worters | 5’3” | 1925-1937

Roy “Shrimp” Worters is the shortest player in NHL history at 5-foot-3.

Worters was a legendary goaltender in the early days of the NHL. He excelled with the New York Americans, a now defunct team, winning the 1930 Hart Trophy (NHL MVP) and recording 67 career shutouts.

2. Nathan Gerbe | 5’4” | 2008-2021

Nathan Gerbe, the shortest skater in NHL history, is also one of the shortest players in NHL history at 5-foot-4.

He played from 2008 to 2011, primarily with the Buffalo Sabres and the Carolina Hurricanes. Known for his skill and determination, he tallied 151 points in 435 career games.

3. Theoren Fleury | 5’6” | 1988-2003

Theoren Fleury is next up on our list of shortest players in NHL history as he stood at 5-foot-6.

Fleury is one of the most accomplished players on this list as he won the Stanley Cup in 1989 with the Calgary Flames. Fleury also amassed 1,088 points in 1,084 career games and he earned seven All-Star selections.

4. Brian Gionta | 5’7” | 2001-2018

Standing at 5-foot-7, forward Brian Gionta is one of the shortest players in NHL history.

The skilled Gionta won the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2003. He tallied 595 points in just over 1,000 games in his career. Gionta captained the Montreal Canadiens from 2010-2014 and the Sabres from 2014-2017.

5. Henri “Pocket Rocket” Richard | 5’7” | 1955-1975

Henri Richard, the namesake for the Rocket Richard Trophy, is one of the shortest players to ever step on NHL ice at 5-foot-7.

Richard was a legendary center for the Canadiens. He won a record 11 Stanley Cups and he totaled 1,046 points in 1,256 NHL games.

6. Cole Caufield | 5’7” | 2021-Present

Cole Caufield is one of the brightest young stars in the NHL and he’s one of the shortest players in NHL history at 5-foot-7.

Caufield debuted with the Canadiens in 2021 shortly after winning the Hobey Baker Award. He’s since become a top scorer as he has registered 118 goals and 101 assists in 287 career games.

7. Domenick Fensore | 5’7” | 2023-Present

Defenseman Domenick Fensore, who is 5-foot-7, is inside the top 10 on the shortest players in NHL history list.

Fensore was signed by the Hurricanes in 2023 and he has split time between the Hurricanes and their AHL affiliate. Fensore was a star at Boston University prior to turning pro.

8. Logan Stankoven | 5’7” | 2024-Present

Logan Stankoven, who also plays for the Hurricanes, is next on the list of shortest players in NHL history.

Stankoven debuted with the Dallas Stars in 2024 before he was traded to the Hurricanes. He scored in his debut with the Hurricanes and he netted two goals in his first playoff games, establishing himself as a clutch player.

9. Trey Fix-Wolansky | 5’7” | 2022-Present

Trey Fix-Wolansky is the last 5-foot-7 player on our list of shortest players in NHL history.

He debuted with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2022 and he typically splits time between the Blue Jackets and their AHL affiliate, where he is the franchise’s all-time leader in goals and points.

10. Mats Zuccarello | 5’8” | 2010-Present

At 5-foot-8, Norwegian forward Mats Zuccarello rounds out our list of shortest players in NHL history.

Zuccarello debuted with the New York Rangers in 2010 and he’s also played for the Stars and Minnesota Wild. Zuccarello is known for his playmaking, power play contributions and veteran leadership.

The Shortest players in the NHL today

Rank	Player	Height	Years in league
1	Cole Caufield	5’7″	2021-Present
2	Trey Fix-Wolansky	5’7″	2022-Present
3	Domenick Fensore	5’7″	2023-Present
4	Logan Stankoven	5’7″	2024-Present
5	Matthew Phillips	5’8″	2021-Present
6	Kailer Yamamoto	5’8″	2017-Present
7	Cam Atkinson	5’8″	2011-Present
8	Alex DeBrincat	5’8″	2017-Present
9	Mats Zuccarello	5’8″	2010-Present
10	Bobby Brink	5’8″	2022-Present

1. Cole Caufield | 5’7” | 2021-Present

The shortest player in the NHL today is Cole Caufield, a forward for the Canadiens, at 5-foot-7.

Despite his short stature, Caufield has become a really reliable and solid scorer in the NHL. He tallied 37 goals and 70 points in the 2024-25 season for the Canadiens.

2. Trey Fix-Wolansky | 5’7” | 2022-Present

Trey Fix-Wolansky is tied for being the shortest player in the NHL today as he stands at 5-foot-7.

While he has bounced from the NHL with the Blue Jackets to the AHL and vice versa throughout his career, Fix-Wolansky has earned accolades as a prolific goal scorer, especially in the AHL.

3. Domenick Fensore | 5’7” | 2023-Present

Domenick Fensore is next up on our list of shortest players in the NHL today. The defenseman signed his entry-level contract with the Hurricanes in 2023.

The former captain of Boston University has split time between the Hurricanes in the NHL and the Chicago Wolves in the AHL.

4. Logan Stankoven | 5’7” | 2024-Present

Logan Stankoven, who stands at 5-foot-7, is tied for being the shortest player in the NHL today.

The former Dallas Star was traded to the Hurricanes in March 2025 in the Mikko Rantanen deal. Stankoven netted two goals in his first career game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

5. Matthew Phillips | 5’8” | 2021-Present

Matthew Phillips is the first of the 5-foot-8 players on the list of shortest players in the NHL today.

Phillips made his NHL debut with the Flames in 2021, signed with the Washington Capitals in 2023 and now he’s with the Colorado Avalanche. He’s bounced between the NHL and AHL throughout his career.

6. Kailer Yamamoto | 5’8” | 2017-Present

Kailer Yamamoto of the Utah Mammoth also stands at 5-foot-8, making him one of the shortest players in the NHL today.

The first round draft pick in 2017 has recorded 58 goals and 76 assists in 303 NHL games with the Edmonton Oilers, Seattle Kraken and Mammoth.

7. Cam Atkinson | 5’8” | 2011-Present

Cam Atkinson defied expectations as one of the shortest players in the NHL today at 5-foot-8.

Atkinson was a sixth round pick in 2008 and he really blossomed with the Blue Jackets, becoming their all-time leader in shorthanded goals and second in goals and points. He’s also had success with the Philadelphia Flyers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

8. Alex DeBrincat | 5’8” | 2017-Present

As a 5-foot-8 right winger for the Detroit Red Wings, Alex DeBrincat is one of the shortest players in the NHL today.

DeBrincat entered the league in 2017 and he’s recorded 460 points in 472 career games. He scored a career-high 41 goals in the 2022-23 season for the Ottawa Senators.

DeBrincat currently plays with one of the tallest players in NHL history – Elmer Soderblom.

9. Mats Zuccarello | 5’8” | 2010-Present

The veteran Mats Zuccarello is next up on our list of shortest players in the NHL today at 5-foot-8.

He currently plays for the Wild, but he’s also skated for the Rangers and Stars. Over the course of his career, Zuccarello has collected 650 points and he has earned a reputation as a playmaker and locker-room leader.

10. Bobby Brink | 5’8” | 2022-Present

Rounding out our list of shortest players in the NHL today is forward Bobby Brink of the Flyers.

Brink signed his entry-level contract with the Flyers the day after he won the NCAA Championship with Denver University. He made his NHL debut just two days after he signed with the Flyers.

The Shortest players in the NHL FAQs

Who is the shortest player in the NHL right now?

The shortest player in the NHL right now is Cole Caufield of the Montreal Canadiens. The former Hobey Baker Award winner stands at 5-foot-7. Despite his short stature, Caufield has become a really reliable and solid scorer in the NHL as he tallied 37 goals and 70 points in the 2024-25 season for the Canadiens.

What is the average height of NHL players?

The average height of NHL players is about 6-foot-1, but the averages can vary from year-to-year, defensemen and goaltenders usually are the tallest players on the team at about 6-foot-2 or 6-foot-3 on average. Forwards in the NHL are usually slightly smaller as they are about 6-foot or 6-foot-1 on average.

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

The average height of NHL players has slightly increased over the years. Back in the 1950s, NHL players stood at about 5-foot-11. Now, NHL players are about 6-foot-1, on average, despite the fact the rule changes and analytics favor the smaller, quicker players as opposed to the taller players in the league.

How tall is Roy Worters?

Roy “Shrimp” Worters, the shortest player in NHL history, stood at just 5-foot-3. He was a goaltender that played for three teams during his career, which lasted from 1925-1937. While his size could have worked against him, Worters was an elite goaltender for his time and he got inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1969.

How tall is Zdeno Chara?

Former defenseman, most notably for the Boston Bruins, Zdeno Chara stands at 6-foot-9. He is the tallest player in NHL history. While Matt Rempe challenges Chara in terms of height, he is still about a half-inch shorter than Chara. Chara is most well known for his and his powerful slap shot, which can reach triple digits in miles per hour.

How tall is Wayne Gretzky?

Forward Wayne Gretzky, who is widely regarded as the best NHL player of all time, is 6-feet tall. Gretzky, nicknamed “The Great One”, won four Stanley Cups with the Oilers and he holds NHL records for most career points (2,857) and assists (1,963) and most points in a single season (215). Gretzky was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1999.

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