5. Maurice Richard

The king of 'firsts', Maurice Richard was the first to score 500 goals in a career, first to score 50 goals in a season, and the only player to score an NHL-record six playoff overtime goals. Richard also led the Canadians to 8 Stanley Cups in 18 seasons.

4. Gordy Howe

Gordy Howe was the Brett Favre of hockey, or better yet, Brett Favre was the Gordy Howe of football. Howe played for 32 seasons and holds the record of most games played in the NHL (1,767). Howe finished in the top five in NHL scoring for an impressive 20 straight seasons, won six Hart Trophies and six Art Ross Trophies and led the Red Wings to four Stanley Cups as well as being selected to 21 All-Star teams.

3. Mario Lemiux

The savior of Pittsburgh Hockey, Mario Lemiux was a phenom who more than lived up to the hype. Lemiux led the Pens to back to back Stanley Cup wins in the early 90's and though he won multiple MVP's and Scoring titles, his biggest achievement came off the ice as he overcame Hodgkins disease, taking the '94, '95 season off only to return to win the next two scoring titles.

2. Bobby Orr

Bobby Orr was the innovator of offense for a position that never before showed any. He was a defenseman that would drive up the ice to set up plays or score a few goals of his own. Orr won three straight MVP awards, the first to do so, as well as being the first player to total 100 or more points in a season and the first defenseman to score 20 or more goals in a season (which he did 7 times). His brutal style of play had it's drawbacks, as the toll it took on his body forced him to prematurely end his career

1. Wayne Gretzky

Where do I start? Wayne Gretzky was labeled 'The Great One' and in no way was that an exaggeration. Wayne was a 9 time winner of the Hart Trophy and broke the 200 point in a single season barrier 4 times. With the Rangers, the last of four teams he played on, Gretzky tied for the NHL lead in assists at ages 36 and 37. He was so revered that the Hockey Hall waived the mandatory waiting period, inducting Gretzky on Nov. 22, 1999.