Shots on goal show us which NHL players kept pushing forward. These stats remind us that even though scoring goals is crucial for winning games, it’s the relentless shooting and pressure that create hockey legends. Alex Ovechkin holds the record for the most shots on goal in NHL history with over 7,100 career attempts.
Photo Credit: All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Top 5 NHL players with Most Shots on Goal
Here are the top 5 players with the most shots on goal in NHL history, showcasing their unmatched shot attempts.
| S. No. | Player | Career Span | Shots on Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Ovechkin | 2005-present | 7,108 |
| 2 | Ray Bourque | 1979-2001 | 6,209 |
| 3 | Jaromir Jagr | 1990-2018 | 5,637 |
| 4 | Marcel Dionne | 1971-1989 | 5,363 |
| 5 | Phil Esposito | 1963-1981 | 5,166 |
Alex Ovechkin (7,108 Shots on Goal)
Position: Left Wing
Teams: Washington Capitals
Ovechkin’s unyielding shooting has made him the NHL’s all-time leader in shots on goal with 7,108 attempts. He has led the league in shots 11 times and is renowned for his blistering one-timer from the left circle.
Ray Bourque (6,209 Shots on Goal)
Position: Defenseman
Teams: Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche
Ray Bourque held the NHL record for shots at 6,209 until Ovechkin overtook him in 2022. It’s quite remarkable that he was a defenseman and still achieved 18 seasons with over 200 shots, leading all defensemen in shots 11 times.
Jaromír Jágr (5,637 Shots on Goal)
Position: Right Wing
Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, NY Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames
Jaromír Jágr holds the third spot in all-time career shots on goal with a total of 5,637. Over his 24-season career with nine teams, he recorded 16 campaigns with more than 200 shots. He led the league twice and peaked at 367 shots during the 1996-97 season.
Marcel Dionne (5,363 Shots on Goal)
Position: Center
Teams: Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers
Marcel Dionne’s quick wrist shot made him one of the most lethal scorers in hockey with a total of 5,363 shots on goal. He topped the league in 1976-77 with 379 shots and had 14 seasons where he exceeded 200 shots.
Phil Esposito (5,166 Shots on Goal)
Position: Center
Teams: Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers
Phil Esposito was instrumental in Boston’s two Stanley Cup victories and recorded 5,166 career shots on goal. He led the league in shots four times including a record-setting 422 shots during the 1970-71 season and achieved over 200 shots in 12 different seasons.
