Hockey is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and action-packed sports to watch. Every hockey fan probably has their own favorite players. However, we list the best hockey players in history who significantly transformed the sport.

Maurice Richard

Joseph Henri Maurice "Rocket" Richard was a professional hockey player from Canada who played for the Montreal Canadiens in the NHL for 18 seasons. 

He is the only player ever to score 50 goals in a season. 

In a 50-game 1944-1945 season, he received 14 all-star nods. 

Throughout his career with the Canadiens, he won eight titles and set a record by scoring 500 goals.

As evidence that he is one of the best hockey players, the Rocket Richard Trophy, also known as the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, is given yearly to the NHL player with the most goals at the end of the regular season.

Mario Lemieux

Mario Lemieux is a Canadian-born former professional ice hockey player who played portions of 17 seasons with the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins from 1984-2006. 

On his first NHL shift at age 19, he scored on a breakaway, while taking the puck from hall-of-fame defenseman Ray Bourque. 

Lemieux started his illustrious career with the Pittsburgh Penguins with six straight 100-point seasons, reaching a career-high of 199 points (the fifth-most points in history). 

Despite a cancer diagnosis interfering with his prime playing years, he eventually would record four more seasons with 100 points.

Bobby Orr

Bobby Orr was a professional hockey player widely regarded as one of the greatest of all-time. 

He was the first historically significant offensive defenseman to lead the league in points (1969-1970). He placed second with a career-high 139, then returned to the top spot with 135 during the 1974-1975 season.

As the league's best defenseman, he won eight straight Norris Trophies. 

In just 657 games, he earned 915 points (270 goals, 645 assists, and 645 points), setting records for his position at the time.

Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky was a Canadian professional hockey player who played for 20 seasons (1979 to 1999) in the NHL for four teams. He is regarded as the greatest scorer in history and racked up 1,963 assists in his career.

He accumulated more assists than any other player in history. He won nine Hart Trophies, 10 Art Ross Trophies and four Stanley Cups, in addition to receiving 18 all-star nods.

Gordie Howe

Gordie Howe was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who scored 801 goals in 26 NHL seasons and 174 goals in six NHL World Hockey Association seasons. 

He played for 25 years in Detroit, earning four Stanley Cup victories, six MVP honors and six scoring titles.

Howe created the "Gordie Howe Hat Trick," which involves scoring a goal, providing an assist and getting into a brawl all in the same game. 

He played 1,767 games, and no one has played in more NHL games. Additionally, his 22 straight 20-goal NHL seasons remains a record.