Hockey has always been a beautiful mix of chaos and finesse. But every so often, a player comes along who doesn’t just play the game—they put on a show, whether they’re dangling defenders, chirping opponents, or just doing something completely unhinged and hilarious.
This list isn’t about the most talented players, though some of them were absolute legends. It’s about the ones who made you stop scrolling, sit up, and say, “What the hell did he just do?”—for better or worse.
22. Ilya Bryzgalov
You never knew what was coming next—on the ice or behind the mic. The guy gave quotes that felt like they belonged in a philosophy textbook and played goal like he was living in an alternate universe.
21. Tie Domi
You weren’t watching Tie Domi to see pretty goals—you were watching to see if he’d throw hands or hop into the penalty box to fight a fan. The man was pure chaos in a compact frame.
20. Brent Burns
With a caveman beard and a personality to match, Burns was impossible to ignore. He played like a forward trapped in a defenseman’s body and made everything a little more fun.
19. Patrick Roy
Roy didn’t just stop pucks—he demanded the spotlight. He’d chirp, he’d fight, he’d stare down entire benches, and he was totally unapologetic about it.
18. John Tortorella
Yes, he’s a coach, but he deserves a spot for being one of the NHL’s most unintentionally hilarious characters. Every press conference felt like a ticking time bomb of sarcasm and simmering rage.
17. Jeremy Roenick
Roenick had the flair, the mouth, and the highlights to back it all up. He talked trash with a grin and often made good on his promises.
16. Sean Avery
Avery wasn’t just a pest—he was a full-blown agitator with a knack for drama. He once screened a goalie by literally waving his stick in his face like a windshield wiper.
15. Roberto Luongo
Luongo was a superstar goalie and low-key Twitter comedian. He could absolutely stone you on the ice, then roast himself online five minutes later.
14. Pavel Bure
When Bure hit full speed, it looked like he was shot out of a cannon. Every time he touched the puck, it felt like something electric might happen.
13. Keith Tkachuk
Big, loud, and always in the middle of something, Tkachuk was a one-man wrecking crew with a knack for scoring goals and stirring the pot. He played every shift like he was trying to start a bar fight and a scoring spree at the same time.
12. P.K. Subban
Subban brought energy, flash, and a flair for the dramatic. Whether it was a slick goal or a cheeky quote, he always gave you something to talk about.
11. Don Cherry
Love him or hate him, Don Cherry was a walking soundbite in a technicolor dreamcoat. He was the king of outrageous suits and even more outrageous takes.
10. Brad Marchand
Marchand made a career out of toeing the line—then absolutely obliterating it. One shift, he’s scoring a game-winner, the next, he’s licking someone’s face.
9. Jaromir Jagr
Jagr wasn’t just an icon—he was a character with a mullet and an eternal career. He made everything he did feel a little larger than life.
8. Alexander Ovechkin
From leaping into the glass to celebrating like he’d never scored before, Ovechkin brought childlike joy to every goal. He hit like a truck and celebrated like a kid at recess.
7. Marty Turco
Turco redefined what a goalie could be with his puck-handling antics. Sometimes it worked beautifully, sometimes it didn’t—but it was never boring.
6. Matthew Tkachuk
He’s a walking highlight reel and a full-time troll. He scores, he scrums, and he does it all with a smirk like he’s having the time of his life.
5. Ron Hextall
A goalie with fists of fury, Hextall didn’t wait for someone to come to his crease—he’d go after you himself. You never quite knew if he was going to make a save or start a melee.
4. Dominik Hasek
Hasek’s style was part yoga, part wizardry. He looked like he was making it up as he went—and maybe he was—but it worked, and it was glorious.
3. Paul Bissonnette
Biz wasn’t exactly a superstar on the ice, but his off-ice antics turned him into a cult hero. Whether it was social media, chirps, or Spittin’ Chiclets, the guy became a full-blown NHL entertainer.
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2. Connor Bedard
He’s still young, but he’s already doing things that make fans audibly gasp. There’s a spark to him that feels like the start of something special—and very fun.
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1. Wayne Gretzky (Yes, Really)
Sure, he wasn’t throwing punches or acting wild, but everything he did felt mythological. Gretzky made hockey look effortless, and there was something wildly entertaining about watching perfection happen in real time.
Read More: 10 NHL Players Who Were Just There for the Fights
