The NHL is home to some of the fiercest hits, wildest scrums, and most creative nicknames in all of sports. Whether they came from fans, teammates, or pure hockey folklore, some of these monikers are so perfect, you’d think they were trademarked at birth.
These aren’t just cool names—they’re full-on personas. From terrifying to hilarious, these nicknames pack more punch than a slapshot to the shin.
15. The Finnish Flash
Teemu Selanne made hockey look smooth and easy, and his nickname fit like a glove. It sounds like a superhero who moonlights as a winger with ridiculous hands.
14. The Hammer
Dave Schultz earned this one the hard way—by racking up penalty minutes like they were points. The Hammer didn’t just hit people; he left dents in the boards.
13. The Dominator
Dominik Hasek didn’t just stop pucks. He made goalies across the league question their life choices. With a nickname like The Dominator, you’d better be elite—and he absolutely was.
12. Mr. Hockey
Gordie Howe didn’t need anything flashy. Just call him Mr. Hockey and move out of the way.
11. The Moose
Mark Messier skated with power, hit like a truck, and had a nickname to match. The Moose sounds like someone you definitely don’t want barreling toward you on a forecheck.
10. The Pocket Rocket
Henri Richard may have been smaller than his brother Maurice, but The Pocket Rocket still made a significant impact. It’s a name that’s half compliment, half warning label.
9. CuJo
Curtis Joseph’s nickname was short, sweet, and spooky. CuJo made saves like a goalie possessed—and also sounded like a villain in a Stephen King story.
8. The Golden Jet
Bobby Hull wasn’t just fast—he was blazing. The Golden Jet sounds like a Bond villain and a top-line winger all rolled into one.
7. The Great One
Wayne Gretzky’s nickname is so iconic that you could call him “The” and people would know who you mean. It’s bold, legendary, and still undefeated.
6. The Human Eraser
Luke Schenn has made a career out of erasing opposing forwards from existence. That nickname alone should be in the Hall of Fame.
5. The Rat
Ken Linseman earned this nickname for his scrappy, relentless play, and maybe the facial expressions didn’t hurt either. It’s a gritty, unglamorous name for a guy who never stopped annoying the other team.
4. Bam-Bam Cam
Cam Neely played like he was trying to break the glass every shift. With a name like Bam-Bam Cam, how could he not?
3. Captain Serious
Jonathan Toews may not be the loudest voice in the room, but this nickname fits like a tailored suit. It sounds like someone who’d skate through a brick wall if it meant winning a faceoff.
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2. The Eagle
Ed Belfour soared in the net, and his nickname made him sound like a symbol of dominance and freedom. The Eagle was always watching—and usually making a glove save while doing it.
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1. The Russian Rocket
Pavel Bure earned every bit of that nickname with blazing speed and highlight-reel goals. The Russian Rocket didn’t just play hockey—he launched himself into the stratosphere.
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