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List of oldest National Hockey League players

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

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.

Oldest players in a regular season or playoff game

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Goaltenders

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

Position players

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41–52 years

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Mark Giordano has been the oldest active player in the NHL since 2023

40 years

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Notes

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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 1974–75 season with Edmonton Oilers retiring at 46 years old. Plante became the oldest goaltender in the WHA.
4.^ 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 in the third period.
5.^ Lester Patrick replaced an injured Lorne Chabot in the second period. Patrick was the general manager and coach of the New York Rangers at the time. Patrick remains the oldest goalie to play in a Stanley Cup Finals.

References

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  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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