NHL: The Best Player at Every Jersey Number, #11-20
In part two of a ten-part series, we look at jersey numbers 11-20, including a few Hall of Famers but also some of the most underrated, yet productive, players in NHL history.
We often forgot that some players were based solely on offensive numbers, while others stood out because of all-around play. Some of the greatest players are in this section, including one player who has part of one of the more controversial and yet still talked about, Stanley Cup-winning goals in history.
The longevity of this group of players is over 1,000 games. 18 total Stanley Cup championships are represented in this group with others having plenty of playoff experiences.
Aside from Stanley Cup championships, there are also plenty of awards and accolades represented as well. We think of Stanley Cups when we determine who is the greatest of all time, but do we still value consistency?
These are the best players that have worn jersey numbers 11-20 in the NHL.
Some of these players never had the chance to hoist the Stanley Cup. However, they were consistent, their teams made playoff appearances and they were deemed successful.
Success is not only about how many Cups the player has won but how he dedicated himself and how he helped his teammates grow as well. Some of these players do not get the recognition because they did not win Cups, but they made up for that by helping the team grow and helping that team achieve other goals.
This group of players has two of the greatest centers in NHL history and the greatest left-wingers in history. Their accomplishments have not been talked about enough, but one of the featured centers has one of the most talked-about playoff goals in NHL history.
Let’s begin the second installment of this series. Here are the best players in NHL history to wear jersey numbers 11-20.
#11: Mark Messier, Forward
We start this group with a player who has won many Cups but is still underrated. “Moose”, as he is referred to, is most remembered for his guarantee of a playoff win.
Mark Messier played in the NHL for an incredible 25 years, including stops with the Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, and Vancouver Canucks before he retired on September 12, 2005. He had the nickname Moose because of his determination, aggression, and strength.
In his 25-year NHL career, he played in 1,756 games, scoring 694 goals, 1,193 assists for 1,887 points, and was a +211. He was drafted 48th overall in the 3rd round in 1979 by the Edmonton Oilers.
Messier was a 15-time all-star, 2-time Hart Trophy winner, 2-time Ted Lindsay Award winner, Conn Smythe Trophy winner, and a 6-time Stanley Cup champion.
He ranks 3rd all-time in games played (1,756), and points (1,887), 2nd in career short-handed goals (63), and 9th in career game-winning goals (101).
He was chosen for this spot because he never gave up. He never complained about being second to Wayne Gretzky in Edmonton and even showed how competitive he was as he won even after Gretzky left for the Los Angeles Kings. He is one of the greats but still will never get full credit for the player he was.
#12: Jarome Iginla, Forward
Jarome Iginla played for the Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Los Angeles Kings. His career totals include 1,553 games played, with 625 goals and 675 assists for 1,300 points.
Iginla was a 6-time all-star, an Art Ross Trophy winner, 2-time Rocket Richard winner, Ted Lindsay Award winner, King Clancy Award winner, and a Mark Messier Leadership Award winner.
The only thing Iginla did not win was the Stanley Cup. In Calgary, he was a god as he did everything for the organization that he possibly could to make them competitive. He was a warrior on the ice, competing for every inch and coming out on top more than he did not.
One of the moments people talk about most was his captain versus captain fight against Tampa Bay Lightning forward Vincent Lecavalier. Iginla was very passionate about the game and shows his emotions on the ice.
Like Messier, Iginla was tough to play against and the opposition knew when they played against Iginla teams.
#13: Mats Sundin, Forward
Mats Sundin played his NHL career with the Quebec Nordiques, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vancouver Canucks. His career totals include 1,346 games played, with 564 goals and 785 assists for 1.349 points.
Sundin appeared in 8 all-star games, won the Mark Messier Leadership Award, and scored on 5 career penalty shots.
He was one of those players who did not win a Stanley Cup but it did not matter. Sundin played a dedicated game of hockey and his play on the ice showed exactly that. He did not win a lot of awards nor did he win the big one, but he was consistent and he was offensively productive.
Sundin played on teams that were not great but they did make noise because of his leadership and his efforts on the ice. The more upset he was on the ice the better he played. His best years came with the Maple Leafs and during his career in Toronto, they had some of the best teams not to win a Stanley Cup.
Sundin will always be a legend in Toronto and is a player who played with heart and soul.
#14: Theoren Fleury, Forward
Theoren Fleury played for the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks. His career totals were 455 goals and 603 assists for 1,088 points in 1,084 games and also had a career +145.
Fleury appeared in 7 all-star games, won a Stanley Cup with the Flames, and is 9th all-time in short-handed goals with 35.
Fleury did not let his short stature define his game. He was one of the more passionate players in the game and he played like a wrecking ball.
Fleury has one of the more popular goal celebrations, sliding down to the other end of the ice and pumping his fists. He is one of the best players under 6″0″ in history.
#15: Dave Gagner, Forward
Dave Gagner played for the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, and Vancouver Canucks. His NHL totals include 318 goals and 401 assists for 719 points in 946 games.
Gagner played in his only all-star game appearance in 1991 while playing for the North Stars. He is another player on this list that never won a Stanley Cup and did not win any major awards but was consistent in his offensive play and had a never say die attitude.
He always competed hard and never quit on a play. Gagner was always a team guy and was never afraid to get his teammates involved. He led by example and often put teams on his back.
#16: Brett Hull, Forward
Brett Hull played for the Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, and Detroit Red Wings. His career totals include 1,269 games played, 741 goals, and 650 assists for 1,391 points.
His accomplishments include 8 all-star games, a Lady Byng Trophy, a Hart Memorial Trophy, a Ted Lindsay Award, and 2 Stanley Cups.
His powerful slap shot has given him many accolades and he ranks among the top in many offensive categories. His slap shot is one of the best ever and no shot was more feared in the 1990s than Hull’s.
Hull ranks 5th in career goals (741), 7th in even-strength goals (456), 3rd in power-play goals (256), 5th in game-winning goals (110), and 4th in hat tricks (33).
One of the most dominant players in the 90s, Hull took offense to another level. He scored goals in every possible way and yet teams still could not stop him. He led the league in goals during the 1990-91 season with an incredible 86 goals.
#17: Jari Kurri, Forward
Jari Kurri played for the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and the Colorado Avalanche. His career totals include 601 goals and 797 assists for 1,398 points in 1,251 games, and he was also a +304.
Kurri appeared in 8 all-star games, won a Lady Byng Memorial Trophy, 5 Stanley Cups, and ranks 5th all-time in career short-handed goals with 39.
Kurri is one of the more underrated players in league history and has maybe the quietest 601 goals. He was the beneficiary of playing with Gretzky but he was still scoring goals long after playing with the Great One.
Kurri played a simple game, going out there and doing what he was supposed to do. Kurri had a sneaky snapshot and his wrist shot was lethal. He is one of the best European players of all time.
#18: Denis Savard, Forward
Denis Savard played his career for the Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, and Tampa Bay Lightning. He played 1,196 games, with 473 goals and 865 assists for 1,338 points and a career +103. Savard played in 7 all-star games and won a Stanley Cup in 1993 with the Canadiens.
Savard was never the league leader in points and was never shadowed by opponents. He was a quiet assassin, scoring goals at the most critical time, and was able to beat opponents with his sneaky passing ability.
Savard was a good all-around player and never really got praise for the player he was. He did his job on the ice and was a part of some really good teams. Players do not need to win Stanley Cups to be a crucial part of a team’s success.
#19: Steve Yzerman, Forward
Steve Yzerman only played for the Detroit Red Wings. His career totals are 1,514 games played, 692 goals, 1,063 assists for 1,755 points, and a +184.
Yzerman played in 9 all-star games and was a recipient of the Ted Lindsay Award, Conn Smythe Award, Frank J. Selke Trophy, and a Bill Masterton Memorial Award, all while winning 3 Stanley Cups.
Yzerman ranks 10th in goals (692), 9th in assists (1,063), 7th in points (1,755), and 3rd in short-handed goals (50). He also had a career shooting percentage of 15%.
If there is a word to describe Yzerman it is professional. He was competitive and aggressive in his play. He was aggressive in the way that he did not want to lose and did everything in his power to win.
Yzerman was smooth in everything he did and that approach still remains today as general manager of the Red Wings.
#20: Luc Robitaille, Forward
Luc Robitaille played for the Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, and Detroit Red Wings. His NHL totals were as follows: 1,431 games played, 668 goals, and 726 assists for 1,394 points.
Robitaille played in 8 all-star games and won a Calder Trophy, and a Stanley Cup with the Red Wings. He ranks 5th in career power-play goals (247). Robitaille also has a 50% success rate on penalty shots, going 2 for 4.
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Just like Kurri, Robitaille had success on Gretzky’s wing but also had success playing on teams without Gretzky. Scouts predicted he would not amount to much because he was too slow on the ice but he was fast enough to be the highest-scoring left-winger in NHL history.