- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Sault Ste. Marie Today
By the People, for the People
CHL Unveils Top 50 Players in 50-Year History
Fans Can Vote on the Final Rankings of Junior Hockey's All-Time Greats
Published on Feb. 10, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is celebrating its 50th anniversary by revealing a list of the top 50 players in its history, as selected by a panel of over 40 media members. The list includes icons like Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby, and Connor Bedard, representing the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), and Western Hockey League (WHL). Fans can now vote on the CHL website to determine the final order of the rankings.
Why it matters
The CHL has long been a crucial development pipeline for the National Hockey League (NHL), with 31 of the 50 players named having been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame and 11 currently active in the NHL. The balanced representation across the three leagues highlights the strength and competitive balance within the CHL, which encompasses 61 teams across ten Canadian provinces and four American states.
The details
The distribution of players on the list - 20 from the OHL, 18 from the QMJHL, and 13 from the WHL - demonstrates the broad base of hockey development across Canada and parts of the United States. The CHL's presence in the United States, with nine teams, is a growing aspect of the league's identity, and there are reports that the CHL is considering expanding further by potentially incorporating the United States Hockey League (USHL).
- The CHL is marking its 50th anniversary in 2026.
- Voting is now open on the CHL website for fans to determine the final order of the top 50 players.
The players
Wayne Gretzky
Widely regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time, Gretzky played in the OHL for the Peterborough Petes and Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds before becoming a global hockey icon.
Sidney Crosby
A current NHL superstar who played in the QMJHL for the Rimouski Océanic, Crosby is one of the 11 active NHL players included in the CHL's top 50 list.
Connor Bedard
A rising star who currently plays in the WHL for the Regina Pats, Bedard is one of the youngest players to be included in the CHL's top 50 list.
What’s next
The CHL is inviting fans to participate in determining the final order of the top 50 players by voting on the CHL website.
The takeaway
The CHL's 50th anniversary celebration and the unveiling of the top 50 players in its history showcase the league's enduring legacy as a premier development ground for future NHL stars, as well as its growing presence and influence across North America.
