NHL: 7 Best Over the Hill Athletes in NHL History

There is no other job besides athletics where your age is expected to match your performance level.  Athletes over 35 are considered "over the hill" and on the downside of their careers but that is not always the case.

In the NHL, a player who has superior ice vision and skills can make up for a lack of speed and succeed at a high level.  There have been several players throughout the years who have defied Father Time but seven men in particular deked Father Time at the blue line and scored top shelf.

#7: Mark Recchi

The Recchin' Ball, aside from having one of the most strenuous workouts in NHL history, also managed to maintain a high level of play for 22 years in the league.  Recchi won three Stanley Cups during his career and also holds Philadelphia's single season scoring record with 123 points in 1992-1993.

However, after Recchi turned 35, he didn't slow down at all.  He scored more than 20 goals in two seasons with the Penguins and, after bouncing around and landing with the Boston Bruins, Recchi remained a scoring threat and power play stalwart.

Recchi's physical style of play would shorten the careers of most average men but, as Mark has proven time and time again, he his far from the average man.

Career statistics after age 35:

		GP	Goals	Assists	Points
2005-06	Pittsburgh Penguins	63	24	33	57
2005-06	Carolina Hurricanes	20	4	3	7
2006-07	Pittsburgh Penguins	82	24	44	68
2007-08	Pittsburgh Penguins	19	2	6	8
2007-08	Atlanta Thrashers	53	12	28	40
2008-09	Tampa Bay Lightning	62	13	32	45
2008-09	Boston Bruins	18	10	6	16
2009-10	Boston Bruins	81	18	25	43
2010-11	Boston Bruins	81	14	34	48

#6: Chris Chelios

The "Ageless Wonder" Chris Chelios played over 1,600 games during his NHL career and only missed the playoffs twice.  Let me type that again so it is completely understood:  In 26 years in the National Hockey League, Chelios only missed the playoffs twice. 

Since Chelios played until he was 48, it's almost possible to compare him to other "over the hill" athletes but, since I'm paid the big bucks, I will do my best. 

After turning 35, Chelios played in two All-Star games and captained the United States hockey team at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, earning a silver medal.  In 2001-2002, he was an awesome plus-40 with the Red Wings and logged 126 penalty minutes the next year.

Chelios finished his career 11th in penalty minutes and won three Stanley Cups.  Just the fact that Chelios was able to survive 26 years in the league is a testament to both his endurance and his high level of play.

Career statistics after age 35:

		GP	Goals	Assists	Points	+/-	PIM
1998–99	Chicago Blackhawks	65	8	26	34	-4	89
1998–99	Detroit Red Wings	10	1	1	2	5	4
1999–00	Detroit Red Wings	81	3	31	34	48	103
2000–01	Detroit Red Wings	24	0	3	3	4	45
2001–02	Detroit Red Wings	79	6	33	39	40	126
2002–03	Detroit Red Wings	66	2	17	19	4	78
2003–04	Detroit Red Wings	69	2	19	21	12	61
2005–06	Detroit Red Wings	81	4	7	11	22	108
2006–07	Detroit Red Wings	71	0	11	11	11	34
2007–08	Detroit Red Wings	69	3	9	12	11	36
2008–09	Detroit Red Wings	28	0	0	0	1	18
2009–10	Atlanta Thrashers	7	0	0	0	-2	2

#5: Jacques Plante

Jacques Plante, the first goaltender to wear a mask, was also the first goalie to venture outside his crease in order to play the puck.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978 and had his number retired by the Montreal Canadiens as well.

However, Plante was not just a trend-setter, he was also very successful after the "prime" of his career.  After turning 35, Plante won more than half of the games he started in every year except for once.  He also had an amazing 1.88 goals against average in 1970-71 while playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Plante is recognized as one of the game's great goaltenders and his statistics speak for themselves.  His career stats obviously include his later years which are almost as impressive as his prime.

Career statistics after age 35:

			GP	W	L	T	SO	GAA
1964–65	Baltimore Clippers	AHL	17	6	9	1	1	3.01
1968–69	St. Louis Blues	NHL	37	18	12	6	5	1.96
1969–70	St. Louis Blues	NHL	32	18	9	5	5	2.19
1970–71	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	40	24	11	4	4	1.88
1971–72	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	34	16	13	5	2	2.63
1972–73	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL	32	8	14	6	1	3.04
1972–73	Boston Bruins	NHL	8	7	1	0	2	2.00
1974–75	Edmonton Oilers	WHA	31	15	14	1	1	3.32

#4: Dominik Hasek

The Dominator is a future Hall of Famer and holder of 25 Buffalo Sabres franchise records.  One of the most dominant (see what I did there?) goaltenders of the recent era, Hasek has 389 career wins to go along with 81 shutouts.  Seemingly owning a Slinky for a spine, Hasek made numerous highlight reel saves throughout his career and managed to win a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings.

In his later years, Hasek did not slow down, winning 41 games in 2001-02 and never allowed his goals against average to go above 2.5, an absolutely awesome achievement.  Hasek was the first goaltender to win the Pearson award for most outstanding player and won 6 Vezina's during his illustrious career.

Career statistics after age 35:

		GP	W	L	T	SO	GAA
2000–01	Buffalo Sabres	67	37	24	4	11	2.11
2001–02	Detroit Red Wings	65	41	15	8	5	2.17
2003–04	Detroit Red Wings	14	8	3	2	2	2.20
2005–06	Ottawa Senators	43	28	10	4	5	2.09
2006–07	Detroit Red Wings	56	38	11	6	8	2.05
2007–08	Detroit Red Wings	41	27	10	3	5	2.14
2009–10	HC Pardubice	36	24	12	0	3	2.24
2010–11	HC Spartak Moscow	44	23	18	3	7	2.45

#3: Nicklas Lidstrom

The only active player on this list, Lidstrom is one of the greatest defensemen to ever play the game and doesn't seem to be slowing down.  Lidstrom's accomplishments are almost too numerous to mention but here goes:  He's won four Stanley Cups, seven Norris trophies, and has been to 11 All-Star games.  He also won a gold medal at the 2006 Olympics, leading his native Sweden over Finland.

Since turning 35, Lidstrom has remained the unquestioned leader of the Detroit Red Wings, missing only 28 games in his entire career.  Lidstrom also managed to score his first career hat trick at age 40 against the St. Louis Blues.

Career statistics after age 35:

		GP	G	A	P	+/-
2005–06	Detroit Red Wings	80	16	64	80	21
2006–07	Detroit Red Wings	80	13	49	62	40
2007–08	Detroit Red Wings	76	10	60	70	40
2008–09	Detroit Red Wings	78	16	43	59	31
2009–10	Detroit Red Wings	82	9	40	49	23
2010–11	Detroit Red Wings	82	16	46	62	-2

#2: Johnny Bucyk

A large winger for his time, Bucyk was always overshadowed by Bobby Hull and never seemed to get the recognition he deserved as a scorer.  He retired as the fourth leading scorer of all-time and and scored over 550 goals. 

After turning 35, Bucyk scored 183 goals with the Bruins and helped to lead one of the most feared power plays in the league.  While fans in Boston might realize how great Bucyk was, it's time the rest of the hockey world stood up and took notice as well.

Career statistics after age 35:

			GP	G	A	P
1971–72	Boston Bruins	NHL	78	32	51	83
1972–73	Boston Bruins	NHL	78	40	53	93
1973–74	Boston Bruins	NHL	76	31	44	75
1974–75	Boston Bruins	NHL	78	29	52	81
1975–76	Boston Bruins	NHL	77	36	47	83
1976–77	Boston Bruins	NHL	49	20	23	43
1977–78	Boston Bruins	NHL	53	5	13	18

#1: Gordie Howe

Mr. Hockey, what more is there to say?  Howe played hockey in four decades, won four Stanley Cups, six Hart trophies, six Art Ross trophies and is one of the greatest of all-time.

An ambidextrous player, meaning he could shoot right or left handed, Howe scored 975 goals in his career which spanned two different hockey leagues.  He played 32 years in all, setting tons of records along the way and scoring 20 goals in 22 straight seasons. 

I could continue to go on and on about Howe's amazing career but I'll let you scroll through the stats yourself.

Career stats after age 35:

			GP	G	A	P
1963–64	Detroit Red Wings	NHL	69	26	47	73
1964–65	Detroit Red Wings	NHL	70	29	47	76
1965–66	Detroit Red Wings	NHL	70	29	46	75
1966–67	Detroit Red Wings	NHL	69	25	40	65
1967–68	Detroit Red Wings	NHL	74	39	43	82
1968–69	Detroit Red Wings	NHL	76	44	59	103
1969–70	Detroit Red Wings	NHL	76	31	40	71
1970–71	Detroit Red Wings	NHL	63	23	29	52
1973–74	Houston Aeros	WHA	70	31	69	100
1974–75	Houston Aeros	WHA	75	34	65	99
1975–76	Houston Aeros	WHA	78	32	70	102
1976–77	Houston Aeros	WHA	62	24	44	68
1977–78	New England Whalers	WHA	76	34	62	96
1978–79	New England Whalers	WHA	58	19	24	43
1979–80	Hartford Whalers	NHL	80	15	26	41