Wayne Gretzky has been voted the greatest NHL star in history in an online poll conducted by Canada’s History Magazine to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the NHL.
The poll was conducted in conjunction with a special December-January issue of Canada’s History that featured sportswriters recalling the best NHL games they ever covered.
Here’s a look at each winner in their respective position:
Top NHL Forward
Wayne Gretzky: Four-time Stanley Cup champion- holds or shares 61 NHL records, including most career goals, assists and total points.
Top NHL Defenseman
Bobby Orr: Two-time Stanley Cup champion – transformed his position with his offensive prowess. Sadly, his career was cut short in 1978 due to chronic knee injuries.
Top NHL Goalie
Patrick Roy: Four-time Stanley Cup champion – won two cups with the Montreal Canadiens and two with the Colorado Avalanche.
The top five results of the poll at each position were:
Forward
- Wayne Gretzky
- Gordie Howe
- Sidney Crosby
- Mario Lemieux
- Maurice Richard
Defense
- Bobby Orr
- Ray Bourque
- Paul Coffey
- Larry Robinson
- Tim Horton
Goal
- Patrick Roy
- Martin Brodeur
- Ken Dryden
- Jacques Plante
- Terry Sawchuk
The NHL will reveal its own list of the 100 greatest players in history on January 27, during the 2017 All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles.
Image via Canada’s History Magazine