These are the oldest players in NHL history
source: Getty Images Hockey players are a different breed. While most sports see their stars fizzle out by the time they reach their late thirties, the NHL routinely has their stars shine well into their forties. Hockey players play the game with grit and resilience, unlike any other athlete. Maybe that’s why they boast some of the oldest professional athletes in the history of North American team sports.
Gordie Howe
source: Getty Images Age: 52 years, 6 days
Teams: Detroit Red Wings, Houston Aeros, New England Whalers, Hartford Whalers
Fun fact: In the season 3 episode of
Chris Chelios
source: Getty Images Age: 48 years, 71 days
Teams: Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Atlanta Thrashers
Jaromir Jagr
source: Getty Images Age: 45 years, 319 days
Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames
Fun fact: He inspired a legion of fans, known as the Traveling Jagrs, who would attend games dressed as him.
Zdeno Chara
source: Getty Images Age: 45 years, 42 days
Teams: Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals
Fun fact: In addition to his native tongue, he also speaks Czech, Polish, Swedish, Russian, German, and English.
Doug Harvey
source: Getty Images Age: 44 years, 100 days
Teams: Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues
Fun fact: He owned a restaurant in Montreal.
Lester Patrick
source: Getty Images Age: 44 years, 99 days
Teams: New York Rangers
Fun fact: His son Lynn, and grandson, Craig, were both inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Tim Horton
source: Getty Images Age: 44 years, 39 days
Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres
Fun fact: Yes, he’s the Tim Horton behind the Tim Horton’s chain.
Teemu Selanne
source: Getty Images Age: 43 years, 317 days
Teams: Winnipeg Jets, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Anaheim Ducks
Fun fact: He owned four restaurants in Finland.
Claude Lemieux
source: Getty Images Age: 43 years, 277 days
Teams: Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks
Fun fact: Claude and his son Brendan are the only father-son duo punished by the NHL for biting.
Mark Messier
source: Getty Images Age: 43 years, 73 days
Teams: Indianapolis Racers, Cincinnati Stingers, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks
Igor Larionov
source: Getty Images Age: 42 years, 134 days
Teams: Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils
Fun fact: He has his own line of wines.