Who is the oldest player in the NHL in 2021?
David Jones
Published Jan 20, 2026
Zdeno Chara was the oldest in 2020-21. He was 43 years old.
| NAME | SEASON | S% |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Miller | 2020-21 | |
| Craig Anderson | 2020-21 | |
| Andy Greene | 2020-21 | 2.0 |
| Pekka Rinne | 2020-21 |
How many players are in the NHL currently?
NHL Player Count since 2010-11
| NHL Season | Total Players | |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 2015-16 | 990 |
| 8 | 2016-17 | 983 |
| 9 | 2017-18* Expansion Draft (Vegas Golden Knights) | 985 |
| 10 | 2018-19 | 999 |
Has any NHL player worn 69?
Fun fact: Desjardins and forward Melvin Angelstad (two games with the Washington Capitals in 2003-04) are the only players in NHL history to wear No. 69.
How old is the average player in the NHL?
Even though the average age of an NHL player is 27.3 years old, some players surpassed that age many years ago. One of the oldest active NHL players is Zdeno Chara at 43 years old. He is also the tallest NHL player ever, and he had to use sticks two inches longer than NHL regulations.
Who is currently the oldest NHL player?
List of oldest National Hockey League players
- Gordie Howe, pictured here in 1966, played his final NHL game at 52.
- Lester Patrick served as a replacement goaltender in the 1928 Stanley Cup Finals.
- Zdeno Chara has been the oldest active NHL player since July 2019.
- Joe Thornton is the second-oldest active player in the NHL.
Who are the Top 40 year old NHL players?
40-Year Old NHL Players – Regular Season Stats Rk Name Born Season GP 1 Gordie Howe 1928 1968‑69 76 2 Johnny Bucyk 1935 1975‑76 77 3 Teemu Selänne 1970 2010‑11 73 4 Alex Delvecchio 1932 1972‑73 77
How many teams are there in the NHL?
From the founding of the NHL in 1917, when all four of its teams were located to Canada, to the current-day mix of 7 Canadian and 24 American teams, the league has been getting progressively international in the makeup of its players.
Are there more American players in the NHL?
Meanwhile, the percentage of US-born players in the NHL is up to 25.7%, its highest level ever. The gap between the two nations (20.4%) is the narrowest ever. Just 16 years ago, the gap was 40.3%.
How old is the average NHL hockey player?
The average age of the NHL’s current players is 27.1 years. While this is a little old, by sports’ standards, all of the players on this list have far surpassed this number. Everyone on this list is about a decade or more older than the average NHL player and has played for about two decades.
