Top 10 Richest Hockey Players in the World 2023 Ranked
by Maivizhi A | Updated Mar 24, 2023
Richest Hockey Players
It is evident that some of the wealthiest individuals on the planet are athletes, with some owning massive companies, while others possess unique assets such as islands and towns. But, can NHL players make the list of such personalities? Read on to learn about the net worth of some of the top richest hockey players in the world as of 2023. The article features a list of the top 10 wealthiest hockey players globally and their net worth, along with a photo credit to Phil Ashley (modified by the author). In the past, many hockey players struggled to keep up financially with their peers, even before the National Hockey League introduced a salary cap in 2005. The player's demands for vast sums of money would influence their salaries significantly. Nowadays, most athletes have ventured into the corporate world, signing lucrative endorsement deals beyond their field of play to earn extra income.
Top 10 Richest Hockey Players in the World 2023
Here is the list of Top 10 Richest Hockey Players in the World.
S.No
Hockey Players
1
Wayne Gretzky
2
Mario Lemieux
3
Alexander Ovechkin
4
Pavel Bure
5
Joe Sakic
6
Chris Pronger
7
Joe Thornton
8
Paul Tetsuhiko
9
Nicklas Lidstrom
10
Robert Blake
The above list describes the top 10 Richest Hockey Players in the world . Let us see esch one of them in detail.
1. Wayne Gretzky
Meet Wayne Gretzky, a former professional ice hockey player and coach hailing from Canada, who played in the National Hockey League for 20 seasons from 1979 to 1999. Throughout his illustrious career, Gretzky was nicknamed "the Great One" for his exceptional skill in the sport, which had never been seen before. He is now contributing to Turner's NHL coverage, and as a result, his net worth is expected to increase. Gretzky played as a Centre for the Edmonton Oilers (1979 to 1988), Los Angeles Kings (1988 to 1996), St Louis Blues (1996), and New York Rangers (1996 to 1999). He earned a total of $46 million in his career, but his estimated net worth now stands at a whopping $250 million. Many of the richest hockey players have gone on to purchase the teams they previously played for in order to boost their finances. It is worth noting that most of them did not accumulate substantial wealth through their career earnings alone, but through sponsorships and endorsement deals.
2. Mario Lemieux
A retired ice hockey player from Canada, Mario Lemieux played for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1984 to 2006 and was active in the NHL for 17 seasons. In 1999, he became the owner of the team. Despite his career being cut short due to severe injuries, Lemieux is still regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the National Hockey League. Lemieux played as a centre and earned a total of $54.5 million throughout his career. His estimated net worth is $200 million.
3. Alexander Ovechkin
Alexander Ovechkin, a Russian professional ice hockey left winger, is famously known as the Great Eight and serves as the captain of the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals. He is widely regarded as the second-greatest goal-scorer of all time after Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin's fame skyrocketed after he signed a 13-year contract with the Washington Capitals in 2008, receiving an average annual salary of $9.5 million, which made him one of the wealthiest athletes in the history of the NHL. Ovechkin has played for Dynamo Moscow (from 2001 to 2005) and the Washington Capitals (from 2005 to the present). He has earned a total of $127.2 million throughout his career, and his estimated net worth is $80 million.
4. Pavel Vladimirovich Bure
The Russian Rocket, Pavel Bure, who is considered a legendary hockey player, occupies the fourth position on the list. During the 1999/2000 season, the Panthers signed him to a lucrative five-year contract after taking him from the Canucks. He is regarded as one of the most sought-after hockey stars in Panthers history and helped establish south Florida hockey. Despite having his career cut short due to severe injuries sustained in one of the seasons, his impact on the NHL remains significant. His Position in hockey is Right winger
His teams include Vancouver Canucks (1991 to 1999), Florida Panthers (1999 to 2002), and New York Rangers (2002 to 2003) and also his career earnings was $66 million and the estimated net worth: $70 million.
5. Joe Sakic
The majority of Joe Sakic's career in the National Hockey League occurred before the implementation of the salary cap in 2005. He was a spokesperson for two Stanley Cup-winning teams in Colorado and was part of the costly Avalanche squad, earning a $17 million contract for the 1997/98 season. As of 2023, the retired athlete continues to increase his net worth as the general manager for the Avalanche. Sakic played as a center for the Quebec Nordiques and the Colorado Avalanche from 1988 to 2009. Throughout his career, he amassed total earnings of $109.9 million, and his estimated net worth is $65 million.
6. Chris Pronger
Chris Pronger is undeniably one of the greatest defensemen to have ever played in the NHL. A significant portion of his earnings can be attributed to his decision to play for seven years under the $34 million contract he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers. He also earned his income by being one of the most physically dominant athletes of his time. Pronger's achievements include winning the Hart Trophy in 2001, participating in back-to-back Stanley Cup finals, and helping Anaheim secure the trophy in 2007. Throughout his career, he played for several teams, including the St Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, and Philadelphia Flyers. Pronger amassed a total career earnings of $111.4 million, and his estimated net worth is $65 million.
7. Joe Thornton
Joe Thornton played in the NHL during the years before the salary cap was introduced, which allowed him to earn a substantial amount of money while he was the captain and public face of the Sharks during the mid-2000s and early 2010s. In recognition of his exceptional performance, he was awarded the Hart Trophy in 2006. Additionally, there are records in football that are considered unbreakable, such as Messi's 7 Ballon d'Or wins. Thornton played as a centre for several teams including the San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers, from 1997 to 2005, and then again from 2021 to the present day. Over the course of his career, he earned a total of $110 million and his estimated net worth is $65 million.
8. Paul Tetsuhiko Kariya
Many of the individuals on this list are former hockey players who have retired, and Paul Tetsuhiko is no different. A Canadian native, Paul is an experienced offensive athlete who was known for his quick skating abilities. Over the course of his 15-year career, he played for several teams in the National Hockey League, including the Anaheim Ducks, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators, and St Louis Blues. As a winger, he made a total career earnings of $82.6 million and his estimated net worth is $65 million.
9. Nicklas Lidstrom
Nicklas Lidstrom remains widely recognized as the greatest defenseman in the history of hockey. He played for the Detroit Red Wings and was a key part of their Stanley Cup victories in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008. Lidstrom was selected as the 53rd overall pick in the 1989 NHL draft and went on to establish himself as the most accomplished defender in the history of the NHL. As of 2023, he holds the position of vice president of hockey operations for the Detroit Red Wings. Additionally, AS Roma is ranked fourth on the list of the most-watched Serie A teams. Throughout his career, Lidstrom earned a total of $42.5 million and his estimated net worth is $60 million.
10. Robert Blake
Robert Blake, who previously played hockey, is now the manager of the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League. He achieved numerous accomplishments throughout his playing career, including winning gold medals at the Olympics and world championships, as well as the Stanley Cup. Despite being retired from playing, he was able to accumulate a total career earnings of approximately $74.8 million. Throughout his career, he played as a defenseman for various teams, such as the San Jose Sharks (from 2001 to 2006), Colorado Avalanche (from 1989 to 1991 and 2006 to 2008), and the Los Angeles Kings (from 2008 to 2010). His estimated net worth is $60 million.
Who is the Richest Hockey Player in the World?
Wayne Gretzky, a retired professional hockey player and entrepreneur who hails from Canada, has accumulated a net worth of $250 million. While many consider the "greatest" athlete in a given sport to be subjective, there are a few individuals who have so thoroughly dominated their sport for an extended period that they are widely considered to be the best. Gretzky is one such athlete, having redefined what was possible in the world of hockey. He began skating at the age of three and was playing against ten-year-olds by the time he was six, eventually leaving his hometown due to regional fans booing him for being too skilled. Gretzky played for various teams over 21 years, setting numerous records, winning numerous awards, and earning several titles such as the most points in NHL history and the only NHL player to score over 200 points in a season (four times). After retiring, he served as the executive director of the Canadian National Hockey Team and as the Head Coach for the Phoenix Coyotes, in addition to launching successful entrepreneurial ventures such as co-owning a restaurant and a sports equipment line. These endeavors, along with his endorsement deals, have contributed to his considerable wealth.
Conclusion
The article lists the top 10 richest hockey players in the world as of 2023, along with their estimated net worth. Most of these players have accumulated their wealth not just through their career earnings but also through sponsorships and endorsement deals. Several players on the list, such as Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux, have gone on to purchase the teams they previously played for to boost their finances further. It is worth noting that some players, like Joe Sakic, earned significant salaries before the implementation of the salary cap in 2005. Overall, the article showcases the immense earning potential for successful professional athletes, both on and off the ice.
Top 10 Richest Hockey Players in the World 2023 - FAQs
Alexander Ovechkin is a Russian professional ice hockey left winger who serves as the captain of the National Hockey League's Washington Capitals. He is widely regarded as the second-greatest goal-scorer of all time after Wayne Gretzky.
The richest hockey player in the world as of 2023 is Wayne Gretzky, with an estimated net worth of $250 million
No, most of the richest hockey players did not accumulate their wealth solely through their career earnings. They also earned substantial amounts through sponsorships and endorsement deals.
Wayne Gretzky played in the National Hockey League for 20 seasons, from 1979 to 1999.
Mario Lemieux is a retired ice hockey player from Canada who played for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1984 to 2006 and was active in the NHL for 17 seasons. He became the owner of the team in 1999.