Holding the NHL goal record is one of Ice hockey’s toughest feats. Each time it is surpassed, it demonstrates not just scoring skill but also endurance, consistency and the way the game has changed over time. Alex Ovechkin holds the record for most goals in NHL history with 929 career goals.
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 Goal Scorers in NHL History
Here are the Top 5 Players with the Most Goals in NHL History, highlighting their historic performances across decades of ice hockey.
| S. No. | Player | Career Span | Career Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Ovechkin | 2005-present | 929* |
| 2 | Wayne Gretzky | 1979-1999 | 894 |
| 3 | Gordie Howe | 1946-1980 | 801 |
| 4 | Jaromir Jagr | 1990-2018 | 766 |
| 5 | Brett Hull | 1986-2006 | 741 |
Alex Ovechkin (929* Goals)
Position: Left Wing
Teams: Washington Capitals
Ovechkin has changed the game of hockey forever. He broke Gretzky’s record by scoring 895 goals and has now surpassed 900, making him the all-time leader in NHL history. He earned the nickname “The Great 8” and continues to show why he is considered the greatest.
Wayne Gretzky (894 Goals)
Position: Centre
Teams: Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers
Wayne Gretzky scored 894 goals and had an incredible run with four consecutive seasons of over 70 goals. Although Ovechkin has surpassed him, Gretzky’s remarkable scoring ability and sustained excellence have solidified his status as “The Great One.”
Gordie Howe (801 Goals)
Position: Right Wing
Teams: Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers
Gordie Howe set the standard with 801 goals and became the first to reach 800 which remained unbroken for 32 years. His remarkable durability included 20 seasons with more than 20 goals and scoring in five different decades. Howe was a role model for many and earned the nickname “Mr. Hockey”.
Jaromir Jagr (766 Goals)
Position: Right Wing
Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames
Jaromír Jágr scored 766 goals in the NHL over 24 seasons. He mixed style with endurance, achieving five seasons with 50 goals and even scoring a hat trick at 44 years old. His physical strength and hockey intelligence allowed him to adjust to different eras.
Brett Hull (741 Goals)
Position: Right Wing
Teams: Calgary Flames, St. Louis Blues, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Phoenix Coyotes
Brett Hull’s impressive total of 741 goals has solidified his status as one of hockey’s finest scorers. Renowned for his powerful one-timer, he is one of only five players to achieve multiple 70-goal seasons. His knack for adapting demonstrated that his shooting skills were exceptionally high.
