The 15 Athletes Who Changed Hockey the Most

A mask, a trade, a colour barrier, a jump to a rival league: hockey changed shape because specific people forced it to. Vote for the one whose effect you can still see in the game tonight.

1. 1
   Wayne Gretzky

   His trade to Los Angeles in 1988 put NHL teams in Anaheim, San Jose, Tampa and Miami.
   1000pts
2. 2
   Bobby Hull

   Jumped to the WHA in 1972 for a million dollars and dragged NHL salaries up behind him.
   862pts
3. 3
   Mario Lemieux

   Saved the Penguins twice — once as a player, once by buying them.
   724pts
4. 4
   Bobby Orr

   Turned the defenceman into an attacker and won two scoring titles doing it.
   665pts
5. 5
   Maurice Richard

   His 1955 suspension set off a riot and turned a player into a political symbol.
   596pts
6. 6
   Manon Rheaume

   The first woman to play in an NHL game, in Tampa Bay's 1992 preseason.
   517pts
7. 7
   Hayley Wickenheiser

   Seven world titles and four Olympic golds that built the women's game's audience.
   423pts
8. 8
   Vladislav Tretiak

   The Soviet goalie whose 1972 Summit Series showed North America it had competition.
   423pts
9. 9
   Sidney Crosby

   Arrived as the face of the post-lockout NHL and scored the goal that sold it.
   423pts
10. 10
    Jacques Plante

    Put on a mask in 1959 and every goalie in the world followed.
    423pts
11. 11
    Borje Salming

    The Swedish defenceman who proved Europeans could survive the 1970s NHL.
    310pts
12. 12
    Alex Ovechkin

    Made the one-timer from the left circle a standard NHL power-play design.
    172pts
13. 13
    Willie O'Ree

    Broke the NHL colour barrier with Boston in 1958.
    172pts
14. 14
    Ted Lindsay

    Tried to organise the first players' union in 1957 and was traded for it.
    172pts
15. 15
    Gordie Howe

    Played until 52 and set the template for how long a career could last.
    172pts