The NHL has long been a stage for young talent to shine, with some becoming the youngest players in NHL history before their 19th birthday.
Some of the youngest players in NHL history have gone on to become all-time greats.
The Youngest Players In The NHL: Top 10 Youngest Phenoms That Skated With The Best
- A look at the youngest players in NHL history
- Who are the youngest players in the NHL today?
- How young is Connor Bedard?
© Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Armand “Bep” Guidolin debuted for the Boston Bruins on November 12, 1942, at 16 years and 350 days old, making him the youngest player in NHL history…
We’ll take a look at the top 10 youngest players in NHL history, as well as the top 10 youngest players that are lacing up their skates in the league today.
Here are the youngest players in the NHL:
The Youngest players in NHL history
| Rank | Player | Age in first game | Years in league |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Armand “Bep” Guidolin |
16 years, 350 days | 1942-1954 |
| 2 |  Don Raleigh |
17 years, 106 days | 1943-1954 |
| 3 |  Ross Johnstone |
17 years, 207 days | 1943-1944 |
| 4 | Don Gallinger |
17 years, 222 days | 1940-1948 |
| 5 | Ted Kennedy |
17 years, 322 days | 1943-1957 |
| 6 | Jack Schmidt |
18 years, 11 days | 1942-1943 |
| 7 |  Patrick Marleau |
18 years, 16 days | 1997-2021 |
| 8 |  Aleksander Barkov |
18 years, 31 days | 2013-Present |
| 9 |  Grant Mulvey |
18 years, 32 days | 1970-1984 |
| 10 |  Bobby Carpenter |
18 years, 86 days | 1981-1997 |
1. Armand “Bep” Guidolin | 16 years, 350 days | 1942-1954
Armand “Bep” Guidolin debuted for the Boston Bruins on November 12, 1942, at 16 years and 350 days old, making him the youngest player in NHL history.
Over nine seasons, he played 519 games with the Bruins, Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, amassing 107 goals and 171 assists. After retirement, he became a respected NHL coach.
2. Don Raleigh | 17 years, 106 days | 1943-1954
Don Raleigh made his NHL debut at just 17 years old during the 1943-44 season, which makes him one of the youngest players in NHL history.
Over ten seasons, he played 535 games, scoring 101 goals and recording 219 assists. He was a two-time All-Star, New York Rangers captain and hero of two 1950 Stanley Cup Final overtime goals.
3. Ross Johnstone | 17 years, 207 days | 1943-1944
Ross Johnstone only appeared in 42 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he is on the list of youngest players in NHL history.
The defenseman tallied five goals, four assists and he won the Stanley Cup in 1945. He later played in the minor pro leagues before retiring in 1957.
4. Don Gallinger | 17 years, 222 days | 1940-1948
Don Gallinger was a standout center for the Bruins as a teenage phenom and one of the youngest players in NHL history.
He played in 222 games and scored 65 goals and recorded 153 points. He led the Bruins in scoring in the 1945-46 season and notched two playoff overtime goals. Gallinger’s career ended with a lifetime gambling ban in 1948.
5. Ted Kennedy | 17 years, 322 days | 1943-1957
Former Maple Leafs center and captain Ted Kennedy is included on our list of youngest players in NHL history.
Kennedy was known for his leadership and elite face-off skills. He won five Stanley Cups, the 1955 NHL MVP and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1966.
6. Jack Schmidt | 18 years, 11 days | 1942-1943
Jack Schmidt is up next on the list of youngest players in NHL history, despite only playing in 45 career games.
The former left wing for the Bruins recorded six goals and seven assists in his one NHL season. Schmidt served in World War II and then spent the rest of his career in the minor pro leagues.
7. Patrick Marleau | 18 years, 16 days | 1997-2021
Patrick Marleau, who was a number two overall pick, made his debut with the San Jose Sharks at just 18 years old, making him one of the youngest players in NHL history.
Marleau played in an NHL-record 1,779 regular season games and he recorded 1,197 points. Marleau led the Sharks to the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals.
8. Aleksander Barkov | 18 years, 31 days | 2013-Present
Another number two overall pick, Aleksander Barkov is next on our list of youngest players in NHL history.
The Finnish two-way center has played his entire career with the Florida Panthers, Stanley Cup odds favorite, and won two Stanley Cups with them. Barkov became team captain in 2018 and has franchise records in goals, assists, points and game-winners. He is a three-time Selke Trophy recipient.
9. Grant Mulvey | 18 years, 32 days | 1970-1984
Grant Mulvey also debuted at 18 years old and he is included in the youngest players in NHL history list.
He played in 586 games, mostly with the Blackhawks. A gritty scorer, he tallied 149 goals, including a franchise-record five goals in a single game. Mulvey retired in 1984 due to injuries.
10. Bobby Carpenter | 18 years, 86 days | 1981-1997
Bobby Carpenter rounds out our list of youngest players in NHL history as he was drafted directly out of high school.
Carpenter played in well over 1,000 games, scoring 320 goals and 408 assists. He was the first U.S.-born 50-goal scorer and he was a 1995 Stanley Cup Champion with the New Jersey Devils.
The Youngest players in the NHL today
| Rank | Player | Age | Years in league |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Jett Luchanko |
18 years | 2024-Present |
| 2 | Macklin Celebrini |
19 years | 2024-Present |
| 3 |  Zayne Parekh |
19 years | 2025-Present |
| 4 |  Ivan Demidov |
19 years | 2025-Present |
| 5 | Artyom Levshunov |
19 years | 2025-Present |
| 6 | Connor Bedard |
19 years | 2023-Present |
| 7 |  Dalibor Dvorsky |
20 years | 2025-Present |
| 8 |  Zach Benson |
20 years | 2023-Present |
| 9 | Gabe Perreault |
20 years | 2025-Present |
| 10 |  Bradly Nadeau |
20 years | 2024-Present |
1. Jett Luchanko | 18 years | 2024-Present
Jett Luchanko is the youngest player in the NHL today as he made his debut for the Philadelphia Flyers at 18 years and 51 days old – becoming the youngest Flyers player ever.
Luchanko was drafted 13th overall by the Flyers in 2024 and he played in four games in the 2024-25 season.
2. Macklin Celebrini | 19 years | 2024-Present
The number one overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, Macklin Celebrini is one of the youngest players in the NHL today.
Celebrini made an instant impact as a rookie. He scored 25 goals and recorded 38 assists in 70 games. He was a finalist for the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie.
3. Zayne Parekh | 19 years | 2025-Present
Calgary Flames defenseman Zayne Parekh is next up on the list of youngest players in the NHL today.
The top 10 pick in 2024 made his NHL debut with the Flames in April 2025 following a 107-point season in 61 games in the OHL.
4. Ivan Demidov | 19 years | 2025-Present
Russian winger Ivan Demidov, drafted fifth overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2024, is one of the youngest players in the NHL today.
Demidov dominated the KHL and debuted in the NHL on April 14, 2025, shortly after signing his entry-level contract. He registered a goal and an assist in his debut.
Demidov plays with the shortest player in the NHL today – Cole Caufield.
5. Artyom Levshunov | 19 years | 2025-Present
Artyom Levshunov, the number two overall pick by the Blackhawks in 2024, is included on the list of youngest players in the NHL today.
Levshunov debuted in the NHL on March 10, 2025. He registered six assists in his 18 games played in the 2024-25 campaign.
6. Connor Bedard | 19 years | 2023-Present
Largely regarded as a generational talent, Connor Bedard is also one of the youngest players in the NHL today.
Bedard debuted in 2023 by recording an assist for the Blackhawks. He won the 2024 Calder Trophy as well. In his first 150 games in the NHL, Bedard recorded an impressive 128 points.
7. Dalibor Dvorsky | 20 years | 2025-Present
While he is not a teenager anymore, Dalibor Dvorsky, the number 10 pick in 2023 by the St. Louis Blues, is still on the list of youngest players in the NHL today.
Dvorsky debuted in March 2025 and he assisted on a power play goal in his first career game. Dvorsky is one of the top prospects for the Blues.
Dvorsky plays with the oldest player in the NHL today – Ryan Suter.
8. Zach Benson | 20 years | 2023-Present
Buffalo Sabres prospect Zach Benson is next up on the list of youngest players in the NHL today.
In his first two NHL seasons, he has scored 21 goals and 58 points. Benson is known for his puck-battling ability, smart play and strong penalty-killing.
9. Gabe Perreault | 20 years | 2025-Present
After a stellar NCAA career, Gabe Perreault made his debut for the Rangers and became one of the youngest players in the NHL today.
Perreault played in five games in the 2024-25 campaign. He showcased his high hockey sense and playmaking upside.
Perreault plays with the tallest player in the NHL today – Matt Rempe.
10. Bradly Nadeau | 20 years | 2024-Present
Carolina Hurricanes prospect Bradly Nadeau was a first round draft pick in 2023 and he rounds out the list of youngest players in the NHL today.
Nadeau debuted in March 2025 and played two games in the 2024-25 NHL season, earning one assist.
The Youngest players in the NHL FAQs
Who is the youngest player in the NHL right now?
Jett Luchanko is the youngest player in the NHL right now. Luchanko made his NHL debut with the Philadelphia Flyers at just 18 years and 51 days old. As a result, he became the youngest Flyers player to ever skate on NHL ice.
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 young was Armand “Bep” 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 was 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 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 list of youngest NHL players by less than a year. He made his NHL debut at 18 years and 257 days old.
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Brendan Moore
