For jersey numbers #31-40, we look at a good mix of different players. Arguably the top three goaltenders in NHL history, along with role players who were the best at their specific roles make this list.
Success comes in different ways, and what your definition of success means so there is no real answer.
Center Wayne Gretzky had success and so did defenseman Scott Stevens. They had very different paths, different offensive production, and different styles of play, but both won Stanley Cups.
Multiple players featured in this article did not win the Stanley Cup or even any awards but they were successful because they did their jobs well.
These are the best players that have worn jersey numbers 31-40 in the NHL.
On the other hand, there are some goaltenders listed that are surely up for debate in the greatest of all-time discussions. People have their criteria on how players should be evaluated and they are not wrong.
Hockey players are judged by many people in many different ways. The game of hockey, and the players involved, should be discussed in a good debate. Who is the best goaltender of all time to you?
A key similarity among the players in this group is longevity. Regardless of the teams they played for, they put in the work night after night and got the job done. Teams need players exactly like this, and that is why they played so long.
They do not need championships or awards for their hard work, the only reward is they get another shift on the ice.
Persistence is another trait of this group. Never giving up and never taking a shift off helped lead them to their place on this list. Some of these players are not in the Hall of Fame but, to their teams, played Hall of Fame roles.
Hard work and attention to detail go a long way in the game of hockey and go a long way in determining how successful a player may be.
Here are the best players in NHL history to wear numbers 31-40.
#31: Grant Fuhr, Goalie
Grant Fuhr played for the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and Calgary Flames.
During his 19-year career, he posted a record of 403-295-114 in 868 games played, while posting 25 shutouts, a career GAA of 3.38, 47 career points, and 92 career playoff wins.
Fuhr led the league with 79 games played and 1,948 saves in the 1995-96 season. He was a 6-time all-star, 1988-89 Vezina Trophy winner, and won the Stanley Cup 4 times.
Although he retired on September 6, 2000, Fuhr is a top-notch goaltender that will never get the recognition he deserves. He played in a time when offenses went crazy and players would score 100 points regularly, but he stood tall and was one of the best goalies during that time.
#32: Jonathan Quick, Goalie
Jonathan Quick has only played for the Los Angeles Kings during his career. In his 15 years of playing in the NHL, he (so far) has complied a record of 359-262-78, a 2.42 GAA, and a .913 save percentage.
Quick also has 49 career playoff wins to his credit and ranks 23rd in career shutouts with 56.
Quick has appeared in 2 all-star games, won the 2011/12 Conn Smythe Trophy, the 2013/14 and 2017/18 Jennings Trophy, plus 2 Stanley Cups.
Quick is your modern-day Dominik Hasek. He rarely stays in his crease, often making highlight-reel saves, and flopping around the crease trying to make a save. He is the best United States goaltender of all time and he is not done playing yet.
#33: Patrick Roy, Goalie
Patrick Roy played for the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche. During his 19-year career, he managed to record 551 wins, 315 losses, and 131 ties in 1,029 games. He has 66 career shutouts and a 2.54 career GAA, a .910 save %, and 151 career playoff wins.
Roy has one of the more impressive resumes for an NHL goaltender. 11 all-star games, 5 Jennings Trophies, 3 Vezina Trophies, 3 Conn Smythe Trophies, and 4 Stanley Cups make up his list of achievements. He is also 2nd in wins with 551.
Patrick Roy will go down as one of the best. There is nothing Roy did not accomplish during his storied career. He was not shy about his confidence, just ask Jeremy Roenick. Roy retired on May 28, 2003, but he will never be forgotten because of the career he had.
#34: Jamie Macoun, Defense
Jamie Macoun played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, and Detroit Red Wings. During his 16-year career, he posted 76 goals and 282 assists for 358 points, 1,210 penalty minutes, and was a +175.
Macoun was voted to the 1983-94 NHL all-rookie team and also won 2 Stanley Cups.
He was one of the players who did not win any major awards but made a name for himself for the role he played. He was a defensive defenseman who liked to stir the pot. He was tough and played a physical game.
Macoun was not shy about dropping the gloves either and he backed down from no one. Macoun was as tough as a brick wall.
#35: Stephane Fiset, Goalie
Stephane Fiset played for the Los Angeles Kings, Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, and Montreal Canadiens during his time in the NHL. He played 13 years in the league, posting a record of 164-153-44 with 16 shutouts, a 3.07 GAA, .899 save percentage, and won a Stanley Cup in 1996.
Before he retired on September 9, 2002, Fiset was primarily a starter between the pipes. Although he did not post the stats that other goalies did during that time he was a warrior and never gave up.
Fiset battled game after game, giving his team a chance to win every night. Although his record does not show it, he was underrated.
#36: Matthew Barnaby, Forward
Matthew Barnaby played for the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks. He scored 113 goals and 187 assists for 300 points in 834 games played during his 14-year career. He also accumulated 2, 562 penalty minutes.
Barnaby scored his only hat trick against the Montreal Canadiens, and his 2,562 penalty minutes rank 18th all time. He was not only physically tough but mentally tough as he knew when to push buttons.
Barnaby was a character, to say the least. He never stopped running his mouth and got in the faces of the opposition, often leading to a fight. During most of those fights, he would laugh at his opposition, driving them even more furious.
Even though this was his game, he was quite effective at it and it made him a career that he can be proud of as he looks back.
#37: Trevor Kidd, Goalie
Trevor Kidd played for the Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, and Toronto Maple Leafs. He played 387 games with a record of 140-162-52, 19 shutouts, 2.84 GAA, and a .901 save %.
Kidd did not win any Stanley Cups or any individual awards but he was a solid NHL goaltender. Kidd was competitive and always battled in between the pipes. His career GAA is solid and he never played a game where he got shelled. He was a good, solid NHL goaltender.
Kidd was not spectacular by any means but he did not have to be. Kidd did play a good, technical game by playing the angles and making sure he was in the right spot. He was sometimes technical, not spectacular, but got the job done.
#38: Pavol Demetra, Forward
Pavol Demetra played for the St. Louis Blues, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, and Vancouver Canucks. While playing 16 years in the NHL, he recorded 304 goals and 464 assists for 768 points in 847 games, while posting a career +124 rating.
Demetra scored 4 hat tricks during his career, with 3 of those coming against the Western Conference, appeared in 3 all-star games, and won the 1999-00 Lady Byng Trophy.
Demetra was a model of consistency. Every season he was consistent in offensive production. He was not only lethal on a regular shift but was just as dangerous on the power play as well.
Although Demetra played with some great players, he made some unreal moves to set up his teammates for scoring chances.
#39: Dominik Hasek, Goalie
Dominik Hasek played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres, and Ottawa Senators. Hasek played 16 years in the NHL, posting a record of 389-223-95, with 81 shutouts, a career GAA of 2.20, and a save percentage of .922. He also has 65 playoff wins.
Hasek’s incredible career included 6 all-star games, 6 Vezina Trophies, 2 Hart Trophies, 3 Jennings Trophies, and 2 Stanley Cups. He is 7th all-time in GAA (2.20) and 6th in career shutouts (81).
When Hasek retired on October 9, 2012, the hockey world lost a great one. One of the top 3 goaltenders of all time, he did not slow down even during his last season.
Hasek was ultra-competitive and would do anything to keep the puck out of the net. His style cannot be matched and was often referred to as a fish out of water because he rarely stayed in the crease. One of the best ever between the pipes.
#40: Patrick Lalime, Goalie
Patrick Lalime played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues, and Chicago Blackhawks. In 444 games, Lalime won 200, lost 174, and tied 48 with 35 shutouts. His career saw a GAA of 2.58 and a save percentage of .905.
Lalime was voted to the 1996-97 NHL All-rookie first team and also the 2003 NHL all-star game.
Lalime started his career on fire and had one of the best streaks (14-0-2 in his first 16 games) to start a career of all time. He started off on fire but eventually, that fire fizzled out and he was out of Pittsburgh.
He made other stops around the league but was not the same. He retired on July 29, 2011.