{"id":455194,"date":"2026-02-12T03:48:27","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T03:48:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/455194\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T03:48:27","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T03:48:27","slug":"former-greyhounds-prominent-on-top-50-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/455194\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Greyhounds prominent on top 50 list"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/p>\n

The Soo Greyhounds had four former players included as part of the Canadian Hockey League’s Top 50 Players of the last 50 Years.<\/p>\n

Among the players included are Ron Francis, Joe Thornton, Wayne Gretzky, and Paul Coffey.<\/p>\n

Following is a full release from the CHL announcing the players included on the list:<\/p>\n

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\u201376), 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).<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s 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 \u2014 combining for 81 Stanley Cup Championships over their playing careers.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis list reflects the extraordinary legacy of the CHL and the impact our players have had on the game at every level,\u201d said Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL. \u201cFrom generational talents to championship leaders, the Top 50 celebrates five decades of excellence \u2014 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\u2019s biggest stages.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fan vote now open

\nAlongside today\u2019s 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<\/a>. Fan voting will help inform how the CHL ultimately ranks the players 1\u201350, 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\u2019s Top 50 list.<\/p>\n

Top 50 CHL Players of the Last 50 Years (alphabetical)<\/p>\n


\n\tBedard, Connor \/ Forward (WHL, Regina Pats \u2013 2020-23) \/ (Chicago Blackhawks \u2013 2023-Present)
\n\tBergeron, Patrice \/ Forward (QMJHL, Acadie-Bathurst Titan \u2013 2001-03) \/ (Boston Bruins \u2013 2003-2023)
\n\tBossy, Mike \/ Forward (QMJHL, Laval National \u2013 1972-1977) \/ (New York Islanders \u2013 1977-1987)
\n\tBourque, Ray \/ Defenceman (QMJHL, Trois-Rivi\u00e8res Draveurs and Sorel\/Verdun Blackhawks \u2013 1976-79) \/ (Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche \u2013 1979-2001)
\n\tBrodeur, Martin \/ Goaltender (QMJHL, St. Hyacinthe Laser \u2013 1989-92) \/ (New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues \u2013 1991-2015)
\n\tCarbonneau, Guy \/ Forward (QMJHL, Chicoutimi Saguen\u00e9ens \u2013 1976-80) \/ (Montr\u00e9al Canadiens, St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars \u2013 1980-2000)
\n\tCoffey, 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 \u2013 1980-2001)
\n\tCrosby, Sidney \/ Forward (QMJHL, Rimouski Oc\u00e9anic \u2013 2003-05) \/ (Pittsburgh Penguins \u2013 2005-Present)
\n\tDoughty, Drew \/ Defenceman (OHL, Guelph Storm \u2013 2005-08) \/ (Los Angeles Kings \u2013 2008-Present)
\n\tDraisaitl, Leon \/ Forward (WHL, Prince Albert Raiders and Kelowna Rockets \u2013 2012-15) \/ (Edmonton Oilers \u2013 2015-Present)
\n\tFerraro, Ray \/ Forward (WHL, Portland Winterhawks and Brandon Wheat Kings \u2013 1982-84) \/ (Hartford Whalers, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Atlanta Thrashers, St. Louis Blues \u2013 1984-2002)
\n\tFleury, Marc-Andr\u00e9 \/ Goaltender (QMJHL, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles \u2013 2000-04) \/ (Pittsburgh Penguins, Vegas Golden Knights, Chicago Blackhawks and Minnesota Wild \u2013 2003-25)
\n\tFrancis, Ron \/ Forward (OHL, Soo Greyhounds \u2013 1980-82) \/ (Hartford Whalers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs \u2013 1981-2004)
\n\tFuhr, Grant \/ Goaltender (WHL, Victoria Cougars \u2013 1979-81) \/ (Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames \u2013 1981-2000)
\n\tGilmour, Doug \/ Forward (OHL and QMJHL, Cornwall Royals \u2013 1980-83) \/ (St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens \u2013 1983-2003)
\n\tGretzky, Wayne \/ Forward (OHL, Peterborough Petes and Soo Greyhounds \u2013 1977-78) \/ (Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues and New York Rangers \u2013 1979-99)
\n\tHall, Taylor \/ Forward (OHL, Windsor Spitfires \u2013 2007-10) \/ (Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks and Carolina Hurricanes \u2013 2010-Present)
\n\tHawerchuk, Dale \/ Forward (QMJHL \u2013 1979-80, Cornwall Royals) \/ (Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues and Philadelphia Flyers \u2013 1981-97)
\n\tIginla, Jarome \/ Forward (WHL, Kamloops Blazers \u2013 1993-96) \/ (Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles Kings \u2013 1995-2017)
\n\tKane, Patrick \/ Forward (OHL, London Knights \u2013 2006-07) \/ (Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings \u2013 2007-Present)
\n\tLafontaine, Pat \/ Forward (QMJHL, Verdun Juniors \u2013 1982-83) \/ (New York Islanders, Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers \u2013 1983-98)
\n\tLecavalier, Vincent \/ Forward (QMJHL, Rimouski Oc\u00e9anic \u2013 1996-98) \/ (Tampa Bay Lightning, Philadelphia Flyers and Los Angeles Kings \u2013 1998-2016)
\n\tLemieux, Mario \/ Forward (QMJHL, Laval Voisins \u2013 1981-84) \/ (Pittsburgh Penguins \u2013 1984-97 and 2000-06)
\n\tLindros, Eric \/ Forward (OHL, Oshawa Generals \u2013 1989-92) \/ (Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs and Dallas Stars \u2013 1992-2007)
\n\tLuongo, Roberto \/ Goaltender (QMJHL, Val-d\u2019Or Foreurs and Acadie-Bathurst Titan \u2013 1995-99) \/ (New York Islanders, Florida Panthers and Vancouver Canucks \u2013 1999-2019)
\n\tMacInnis, Al \/ Defenceman (OHL, Kitchener Rangers \u2013 1980-83) \/ (Calgary Flames and St. Louis Blues \u2013 1981-2004)
\n\tMacKinnon, Nathan \/ Forward (QMJHL, Halifax Mooseheads \u2013 2011-13) \/ (Colorado Avalanche \u2013 2013-Present)
\n\tMcDavid, Connor \/ Forward (OHL, Erie Otters \u2013 2012-15) \/ (Edmonton Oilers \u2013 2015-Present)
\n\tModano, Mike \/ Forward (WHL, Prince Albert Raiders \u2013 1986-89) \/ (Minnesota North Stars\/Dallas Stars and Detroit Red Wings \u2013 1988-2011)
\n\tMurphy, Larry \/ Defenceman (OHL, Peterborough Petes \u2013 1978-80) \/ (Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, Minnesota North Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings \u2013 1980-2001)
\n\tNeely, Cam \/ Forward (WHL, Portland Winterhawks \u2013 1982-84) \/ (Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins \u2013 1983-96)
\n\tNiedermayer, Scott \/ Defenceman (WHL, Kamloops Blazers \u2013 1989-92) \/ (New Jersey Devils and Anaheim Ducks \u2013 1991-2010)
\n\tPerry, Corey \/ Forward (OHL, London Knights \u2013 2001-05) \/ (Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings \u2013 2006-Present)
\n\tPrice, Carey \/ Goaltender (WHL, Tri-City Americans \u2013 2002-07) \/ (Montreal Canadiens \u2013 2007-22)
\n\tPronger, Chris – Defenceman (OHL, Peterborough Petes \u2013 1991-93) \/ (Hartford Whalers, St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, and Philadelphia Flyers \u2013 1993-2012)
\n\tPropp, Brian \/ Forward (WHL, Brandon Wheat Kings \u2013 1976-79) \/ (Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Minnesota North Stars and Hartford Whalers \u2013 1979-94)
\n\tRecchi, Mark \/ Forward (WHL, New Westminster Bruins and Kamloops Blazers \u2013 1984-88) \/ (Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, Carolina Hurricanes, Atlanta Thrashers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins \u2013 1989-2011)
\n\tRichards, Brad \/ Forward (QMJHL, Rimouski Oc\u00e9anic \u2013 1997-2000) \/ (Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks and Detroit Red Wings \u2013 2000-16)
\n\tRobitaille, Luc \/ Forward (QMJHL, Hull Olympiques \u2013 1983-86) \/ (Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Detroit Red Wings \u2013 1986-2006)
\n\tRoy, Patrick \/ Goaltender (QMJHL, Granby Bisons \u2013 1982-85) \/ (Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche \u2013 1984-2003)
\n\tSakic, Joe \/ Forward (WHL, Lethbridge\/Swift Current Broncos \u2013 1985-88) \/ (Quebec Nordiques\/Colorado Avalanche \u2013 1988-2009)
\n\tSavard, Denis \/ Forward (QMJHL, Montreal Juniors \u2013 1977-80) \/ (Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning \u2013 1980-97)
\n\tShanahan, Brendan \/ Forward (OHL, London Knights \u2013 1985-87) \/ (New Jersey Devils, St. Louis Blues, Hartford Whalers, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers \u2013 1987-2009)
\n\tSmith, Bobby \/ Forward (OHL, Ottawa 67\u2019s \u2013 1975-78) \/ (Minnesota North Stars and Montreal Canadiens \u2013 1978-93)
\n\tStamkos, Steven \/ Forward (OHL, Sarnia Sting \u2013 2006-08) \/ (Tampa Bay Lightning and Nashville Predators \u2013 2008-Present)
\n\tStevens, Scott \/ Defenceman (OHL, Kitchener Rangers \u2013 1980-82) \/ (Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils \u2013 1982-2004)
\n\tTavares, John \/ Forward (OHL, Oshawa Generals and London Knights \u2013 2005-09) \/ (New York Islanders and Toronto Maple Leafs \u2013 2009-Present)
\n\tThornton, Joe \/ Forward (OHL, Soo Greyhounds \u2013 1995-97) \/ (Boston Bruins, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers \u2013 1997-2022)
\n\tWeber, Shea \/ Defenceman (WHL, Kelowna Rockets \u2013 2001-05) \/ (Nashville Predators and Montreal Canadiens \u2013 2005-21)
\n\tYzerman, Steve \/ Forward (OHL, Peterborough Petes \u2013 1981-83) \/ (Detroit Red Wings \u2013 1983-2006) <\/p>\n

CHL Top 50 evaluation\u00a0criteria and eligibility

\nThe CHL\u2019s Top 50 Players were selected by a panel of more than 40 media members who submitted ranked 1\u201350 ballots guided by a weighted evaluation framework designed to ensure consistency across eras. Panelists considered a player\u2019s impact beyond the CHL \u2014 including NHL and international success, major awards and championships, and Hall of Fame recognition \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

To be eligible, players must have competed in at least one full season in the WHL, OHL, or QMJHL during the CHL\u2019s 50-year history beginning in 1975\u201376; for players who competed in 1975\u201376 and also played prior to that season, their entire CHL career was considered when evaluating on-ice accomplishments<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Canadian Hockey League is recognizing five decades of excellence with a newly released list spotlighting the Top…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":455195,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[2456,5,4],"class_list":{"0":"post-455194","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nhl","8":"tag-canadian-hockey-league","9":"tag-hockey","10":"tag-nhl"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/455194","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=455194"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/455194\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/455195"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=455194"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=455194"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=455194"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}