The Canadian Hockey League is recognizing five decades of excellence with a newly released list spotlighting the Top 50 Players since its inception in the mid-1970s

The Soo Greyhounds had four former players included as part of the Canadian Hockey League’s Top 50 Players of the last 50 Years.

Among the players included are Ron Francis, Joe Thornton, Wayne Gretzky, and Paul Coffey.

Following is a full release from the CHL announcing the players included on the list:

As part of its 50th anniversary season, the Canadian Hockey League today proudly announced the Top 50 Players of the Last 50 Years (since 1975–76), recognizing the most influential and accomplished alumni from the Western Hockey League (WHL), Ontario Hockey League (OHL), and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) over the past half century (see complete alphabetical list below).

Featuring a remarkable collection of Hockey Hall of Fame inductees alongside former and active NHL players, the Top 50 list celebrates five decades of excellence across the CHL Member Leagues. Spanning every position, the list includes six goaltenders, nine defencemen, and 35 forwards.

Reflecting that three-league foundation, the Top 50 list includes 20 players who appeared in the OHL, 18 in the QMJHL, and 13 in the WHL. In total, 31 of the 50 honourees have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, while 11 remain active in the NHL. The group also features 20 Olympic champions, underscoring the CHL’s legacy on the international stage. Championship pedigree runs throughout the list, as 15 members were crowned Memorial Cup, and 34 went on to win the Stanley Cup — combining for 81 Stanley Cup Championships over their playing careers.

“This list reflects the extraordinary legacy of the CHL and the impact our players have had on the game at every level,” said Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL. “From generational talents to championship leaders, the Top 50 celebrates five decades of excellence — players who defined eras in the WHL, OHL and QMJHL, and who include Hockey Hall of Famers, legends of the game, and active NHL stars who continue to shine on hockey’s biggest stages.”

Fan vote now open

Alongside today’s unveiling, the CHL has launched a fan vote running from February 10 through March 10, inviting fans to submit their Top 10 from the Top 50 list online. Fan voting will help inform how the CHL ultimately ranks the players 1–50, with the final ranking to be revealed later this spring. Fans who participate will also have a chance to win one (1) trip for two (2) to Kelowna, BC, including transportation, hotel accommodations, and tickets to the Championship Game of the 2026 Memorial Cup presented by Kubota, plus access to a special event featuring CHL/NHL alumni from the CHL’s Top 50 list.

Top 50 CHL Players of the Last 50 Years (alphabetical)


Bedard, Connor / Forward (WHL, Regina Pats – 2020-23) / (Chicago Blackhawks – 2023-Present)
Bergeron, Patrice / Forward (QMJHL, Acadie-Bathurst Titan – 2001-03) / (Boston Bruins – 2003-2023)
Bossy, Mike / Forward (QMJHL, Laval National – 1972-1977) / (New York Islanders – 1977-1987)
Bourque, Ray / Defenceman (QMJHL, Trois-Rivières Draveurs and Sorel/Verdun Blackhawks – 1976-79) / (Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche – 1979-2001)
Brodeur, Martin / Goaltender (QMJHL, St. Hyacinthe Laser – 1989-92) / (New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues – 1991-2015)
Carbonneau, Guy / Forward (QMJHL, Chicoutimi Saguenéens – 1976-80) / (Montréal Canadiens, St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars – 1980-2000)
Coffey, Paul / Defenceman (OHL, Kingston Canadians, Soo Greyhounds and Kitchener Rangers) / (Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes and Boston Bruins – 1980-2001)
Crosby, Sidney / Forward (QMJHL, Rimouski Océanic – 2003-05) / (Pittsburgh Penguins – 2005-Present)
Doughty, Drew / Defenceman (OHL, Guelph Storm – 2005-08) / (Los Angeles Kings – 2008-Present)
Draisaitl, Leon / Forward (WHL, Prince Albert Raiders and Kelowna Rockets – 2012-15) / (Edmonton Oilers – 2015-Present)
Ferraro, Ray / Forward (WHL, Portland Winterhawks and Brandon Wheat Kings – 1982-84) / (Hartford Whalers, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Atlanta Thrashers, St. Louis Blues – 1984-2002)
Fleury, Marc-André / Goaltender (QMJHL, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles – 2000-04) / (Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild – 2003-25)
Francis, Ron / Forward (OHL, Soo Greyhounds – 1980-82) / (Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs – 1981-2004)
Fuhr, Grant / Goaltender (WHL, Victoria Cougars – 1979-81) / (Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames – 1981-2000)
Gilmour, Doug / Forward (OHL and QMJHL, Cornwall Royals – 1980-83) / (St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens – 1983-2003)
Gretzky, Wayne / Forward (OHL, Peterborough Petes and Soo Greyhounds – 1977-78) / (Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers – 1979-99)
Hall, Taylor / Forward (OHL, Windsor Spitfires – 2007-10) / (Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes – 2010-Present)
Hawerchuk, Dale / Forward (QMJHL – 1979-80, Cornwall Royals) / (Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues and Philadelphia Flyers – 1981-97)
Iginla, Jarome / Forward (WHL, Kamloops Blazers – 1993-96) / (Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings – 1995-2017)
Kane, Patrick / Forward (OHL, London Knights – 2006-07) / (Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings – 2007-Present)
Lafontaine, Pat / Forward (QMJHL, Verdun Juniors – 1982-83) / (New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers – 1983-98)
Lecavalier, Vincent / Forward (QMJHL, Rimouski Océanic – 1996-98) / (Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings – 1998-2016)
Lemieux, Mario / Forward (QMJHL, Laval Voisins – 1981-84) / (Pittsburgh Penguins – 1984-97 and 2000-06)
Lindros, Eric / Forward (OHL, Oshawa Generals – 1989-92) / (Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars – 1992-2007)
Luongo, Roberto / Goaltender (QMJHL, Val-d’Or Foreurs and Acadie-Bathurst Titan – 1995-99) / (New York Islanders, Florida Panthers and Vancouver Canucks – 1999-2019)
MacInnis, Al / Defenceman (OHL, Kitchener Rangers – 1980-83) / (Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues – 1981-2004)
MacKinnon, Nathan / Forward (QMJHL, Halifax Mooseheads – 2011-13) / (Colorado Avalanche – 2013-Present)
McDavid, Connor / Forward (OHL, Erie Otters – 2012-15) / (Edmonton Oilers – 2015-Present)
Modano, Mike / Forward (WHL, Prince Albert Raiders – 1986-89) / (Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings – 1988-2011)
Murphy, Larry / Defenceman (OHL, Peterborough Petes – 1978-80) / (Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings – 1980-2001)
Neely, Cam / Forward (WHL, Portland Winterhawks – 1982-84) / (Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins – 1983-96)
Niedermayer, Scott / Defenceman (WHL, Kamloops Blazers – 1989-92) / (New Jersey Devils and Anaheim Ducks – 1991-2010)
Perry, Corey / Forward (OHL, London Knights – 2001-05) / (Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings – 2006-Present)
Price, Carey / Goaltender (WHL, Tri-City Americans – 2002-07) / (Montreal Canadiens – 2007-22)
Pronger, Chris – Defenceman (OHL, Peterborough Petes – 1991-93) / (Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, and Philadelphia Flyers – 1993-2012)
Propp, Brian / Forward (WHL, Brandon Wheat Kings – 1976-79) / (Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Minnesota North Stars and Hartford Whalers – 1979-94)
Recchi, Mark / Forward (WHL, New Westminster Bruins and Kamloops Blazers – 1984-88) / (Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, Carolina Hurricanes, Atlanta Thrashers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins – 1989-2011)
Richards, Brad / Forward (QMJHL, Rimouski Océanic – 1997-2000) / (Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings – 2000-16)
Robitaille, Luc / Forward (QMJHL, Hull Olympiques – 1983-86) / (Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings – 1986-2006)
Roy, Patrick / Goaltender (QMJHL, Granby Bisons – 1982-85) / (Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche – 1984-2003)
Sakic, Joe / Forward (WHL, Lethbridge/Swift Current Broncos – 1985-88) / (Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche – 1988-2009)
Savard, Denis / Forward (QMJHL, Montreal Juniors – 1977-80) / (Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning – 1980-97)
Shanahan, Brendan / Forward (OHL, London Knights – 1985-87) / (New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers – 1987-2009)
Smith, Bobby / Forward (OHL, Ottawa 67’s – 1975-78) / (Minnesota North Stars and Montreal Canadiens – 1978-93)
Stamkos, Steven / Forward (OHL, Sarnia Sting – 2006-08) / (Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators – 2008-Present)
Stevens, Scott / Defenceman (OHL, Kitchener Rangers – 1980-82) / (Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils – 1982-2004)
Tavares, John / Forward (OHL, Oshawa Generals and London Knights – 2005-09) / (New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs – 2009-Present)
Thornton, Joe / Forward (OHL, Soo Greyhounds – 1995-97) / (Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers – 1997-2022)
Weber, Shea / Defenceman (WHL, Kelowna Rockets – 2001-05) / (Nashville Predators and Montreal Canadiens – 2005-21)
Yzerman, Steve / Forward (OHL, Peterborough Petes – 1981-83) / (Detroit Red Wings – 1983-2006)

CHL Top 50 evaluation criteria and eligibility

The CHL’s Top 50 Players were selected by a panel of more than 40 media members who submitted ranked 1–50 ballots guided by a weighted evaluation framework designed to ensure consistency across eras. Panelists considered a player’s impact beyond the CHL — including NHL and international success, major awards and championships, and Hall of Fame recognition — alongside on-ice achievement in the Member Leagues, reflecting what players accomplished during their time in the WHL, OHL, and QMJHL through production, individual honours, team success, and sustained dominance. Selections also accounted for historical significance, recognizing milestones, era-defining influence, generational impact, and lasting contributions to CHL history.

To be eligible, players must have competed in at least one full season in the WHL, OHL, or QMJHL during the CHL’s 50-year history beginning in 1975–76; for players who competed in 1975–76 and also played prior to that season, their entire CHL career was considered when evaluating on-ice accomplishments