List of oldest National Hockey League players

Below is the List of oldest National Hockey League (NHL) players, with their last year in parentheses. Only hockey players who played at least one game in the regular season or playoffs when they were 40 or older are included on the list.

Gordie Howe, pictured here in 1966, played his final NHL game at 52.

Oldest players in a regular season or playoff game

Goaltenders

Lester Patrick served as a replacement goaltender in the 1928 Stanley Cup Finals. At age 44, he remains the oldest goaltender in playoff history.

41–52 years

Zdeno Chara has been the oldest active NHL player since July 2019

40 years

Joe Thornton is the second-oldest active player in the NHL

Notes

1.^ Gordie Howe first retired at 43 years old in 1971. He took a two year hiatus and returned to hockey in the World Hockey Association with the Houston Aeros, then returned to the NHL with the Hartford Whalers for his final full pro season in 1979-80. In 1997 Howe returned at 69 years old playing one game (one shift) in the IHL with the Detroit Vipers.
2.^ Harry Howell finished his career in World Hockey Association in 1976 at 43 years old.
3.^ Jacques Plante finished his career in the World Hockey Association during the 1974–1975 campaign with Edmonton Oilers retiring at 46 years old. Plante became the oldest goaltender in the WHA.
4.^ Terry Sawchuk died of head injuries after a scuffle with teammate Ron Stewart when both men were drunk.
5.^ Tim Horton died in a single-vehicle car accident on his way back to Buffalo after playing in Toronto against the Maple Leafs.
6.^ Terry Harper retired when he became the assistant coach of the Colorado Rockies.
7.^ Ken Schinkel retired when he became head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins after Red Kelly was fired.
8.^ Maurice "Moe" Roberts became the oldest goaltender in the NHL. At that time he was the assistant trainer with the Chicago Black Hawks and replaced an injured Harry Lumley at the third period.
9.^ Lester Patrick replaced an injured Lorne Chabot in the second period. Patrick was the general manager and coach of the New York Rangers at that time. Patrick remains the oldest goalie to play in a Stanley Cup Finals. Of the full-time players, Dominik Hasek is the oldest goaltender to play in the finals.

References

  1. Clipperton, Joshua (February 22, 2020). "Hurricanes beat Leafs with emergency backup Ayres". TSN. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  2. Sadler, Emily (June 26, 2019). "Panthers' Roberto Luongo announces retirement after 19 seasons". Sportsnet. Retrieved June 26, 2019.
  3. "Flyers on Move to Meet Blues". The Gazette (Montreal). Montreal, Quebec. April 2, 1969.

See also

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