NHL: The Best Player at Every Jersey Number, #21-30
In part three of a ten-part series, we look at the best players in NHL history to wear jersey numbers 21-30.
This group has talent, as all of the groups do. However, this group has toughness in every sense of the word.
From fighting to playing with injuries to another Stanley Cup, this group is about getting it done, with their fists or in crucial times.
Hockey is about success but it is also about how a player gets there. Did you just coast on a team or did you fight, claw, and play through the pain for a smidge of success? Victory is so sweet but if you are not in pain at the very end you did not do it right.
These are the best players that have worn jersey numbers 21-30 in the NHL.
Success is looked at from every angle. Some people view it as just championships, while others view it as coming back from injury or a bad year.
But how many saw you had success by just getting to the NHL? So few players get there, but when they do get there, they enjoy every minute of NHL action.
Some players did not have the chance to hoist the Stanley Cup, but they may have succeeded by scoring 500 goals, getting to the all-star game, or having the best season of their career. The Hockey Hall of Fame, and hockey in general, is filled with stories that we can’t imagine.
Look at this list and see the different stories for every player. Everyone is different in their own way, but they can all be viewed as some of the best players to ever play in the National Hockey League.
Let’s begin the third installment of this series. Here are the best players in NHL history to wear jersey numbers 21-30.
#21: Guy Carbonneau, Forward
Guy Carbonneau played for the Montreal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues, and Dallas Stars. In his 19-year career, he played in 1,318 games, contributing 260 goals and 403 assists for 663 points and was a +186.
During his career Carbonneau won 3 Stanley Cups and was a 3-time Selke Trophy winner. He finished his career with a shooting % of 13.5% and scored a career-high 57 points during the 1984-85 season with Montreal.
Carbonneau is pure class on and off the ice. He speaks highly of his teammates and is just so smooth playing the game. He was not the best at anything but he had a high competitive level, which resulted in many of his points.
The pure hustle and waiting for the opposition to make a mistake helped make him part of the best Canadien teams during the early part of his career.
#22: Dino Ciccarelli, Forward
Dino Ciccarelli played for the Minnesota North Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Florida Panthers. In his successful 19-year career, he scored 608 goals and 592 assists for 1,200 points in 1,232 games while accumulating 1,425 penalty minutes.
Ciccarelli was a 4-time all-star who played with grit and was tough, backing down from no one. He was a perfect 3-for-3 on penalty shots and ultimately retired on August 31, 1999.
Ciccarelli was never one for highlight-reel plays, which is why he scored a majority of his goals from in front of the net. Playing with passion and grit, he truly fought his way to success and became an all-star. Truly a team guy.
#23: Brian Bellows, Forward
Brian Bellows played for the Minnesota North Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and Washington Capitals. His career totals are 485 goals and 537 assists for 1,022 points in 1,188 games during his 17-year career.
Bellows recorded 9 hat tricks, was a 3-time all-star, won a Stanley Cup with the ’93 Canadiens, and posted career-highs in goals (55) and points (99) in the 1989-90 season.
He was a solid top-six player who always contributed offensively. He was not flashy by any means, but was a player who always showed up, did something to help the team every night, and went about his way. Good, solid NHL player.
#24: Bob Probert, Forward
Bob Probert played for the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks. Playing 16 years in the NHL saw Probert record 163 goals and 221 assists for 384 points. He did have 3,300 penalty minutes and Probert set a career-high 398 penalty minutes in 1987-88.
He appeared in only one all-star game, coming in the 1988-89 season with the Red Wings. Probert is 5th all-time in penalty minutes with 3,300, thanks to his 285 NHL fights.
Probert was not feared because of his offensive production but because of his stature when he stepped on the ice. Although he was known for his fists, he did produce offense and produced offense in the playoffs as well, recording 16 goals and 32 assists for 48 points, and 274 penalty minutes, in 81 games. Probert retired from the game on November 16, 2002.
#25: Joe Nieuwendyk, Forward
Joe Nieuwendyk played for the Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers. His 20-year career includes 564 goals and 562 assists for 1,126 points in 1,257 games. He was also a +155
Nieuwendyk had 93 game-winning goals, was a 4-time all-star, and won a Calder Trophy, King Clancy Memorial Trophy, and a Conn Smythe Trophy.
During the 1987-88 season, he recorded an NHL record of 31 power-play goals. Nieuwendyk was also a 3-time Stanley Cup champion and was traded by Calgary to the Dallas Stars for future Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla.
Nieuwendyk was a prolific scorer, especially on the power-play. He was consistent and took advantage of every inch of the ice to make something happen.
#26: Ray Sheppard, Forward
Ray Sheppard played for the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers, and Carolina Hurricanes. He played 817 games, producing 357 goals and 300 assists for 657 points.
Sheppard had 12 hat tricks, scored a career-high 52 goals during the 1993-94 season, and had a career shooting percentage of 16.9 %.
Sheppard was a legit sniper in every sense of the word, but he did not do it with highlight-reel moves or a 100-mph slap shot. He waited for the goalie to make a move, or for the defense to give him an inch then he made his move.
He did not need much time and space to create his shot, just enough to give him a look and it was in the back of the net.
#27: Alex Kovalev, Forward
Alex Kovalev played for the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators, and Florida Panthers during his time in the NHL.
During his 19-year career, Kovalev scored 430 goals and 599 assists for a total of 1,029 points. He was a 3-time all-star, contributed 12 career hat tricks, and won a Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994.
Kovalev played a game where the opposition did not know if he was going to shoot or pass. He was very deceptive on his moves but not his skill set. Kovalev was a good top-six forward who always found a way to produce offensively.
He not only produced himself, but he also made his teammates better by getting everyone involved in the offensive zone.
#28: Tie Domi, Forward
Tie Domi spent his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Winnipeg Jets.
Domi was a part of 1,020 games in the NHL, posting 104 goals and 141 assists for 245 points, along with 3,515 penalty minutes. He recorded a career-high of 347 penalty minutes during the 1993-94 season, and he is 3rd all-time in penalty minutes with his total of 3,515.
His career 333 fights stand out as the main focal point of his career. He did not back down from anyone and would score the odd goal from time to time as well. He was a warrior, and his stats prove that he made a major impact and did not walk away empty-handed.
#29: Marc-Andre Fleury, Goalie
Marc-Andre Fleury has played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, Chicago Blackhawks, and Minnesota Wild.
During his stellar 18-year career Fleury has compiled a record of 520-299-87 while posting 71 shutouts and also has 20 career points.
Fleury is a 4-time all-star, won the 2020-21 Vezina Trophy as the league’s best goalie, and won 3 Stanley Cups, while ranking 3rd all-time in wins with 520.
When it comes to the playoffs, Fleury is a money goaltender. He rises to the occasion due to the importance of that time of the year. He always comes to compete and rarely has a night off. Fleury is one of the best ever and will surely be in the Hall of Fame.
#30: Tom Barrasso, Goalie
Tom Barrasso played for the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and St. Louis Blues. Through 19 years in the league, he posted a record of 369-277-86 with 38 shutouts in 777 games.
Barrasso has 48 career points, was an all-star in 1985, won a Calder Trophy and Vezina Trophy in the 1983-84 season, plus won 2 Stanley Cups. He was named to the first all-star team (83-84) and second all-star team (84/85, 92/93).
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A very underrated goaltender, Barrasso was statistically one of the best United States-born goalies. He was never shy on confidence and would get in your face and let you know he was one of the best. Barrasso was also part of some of the best Penguins teams in history.