10. Peter Bondra
Peter Bondra is a former professional ice hockey player who became a fixture for the Washington Capitals in the 1990s.
Popularly known as “The Slovak sniper,” he was one of the most prolific goal scorers in the NHL, with 503 goals in 1,081 games.
He played for five teams, but spent most of his career with the Washington Capitals, where he holds several franchise records.
He is a two-time winner of the NHL’s Fastest Skater competition, first winning in 1997 with a time of 13.610 seconds, and again in 1999, which translates to a speed of about 31 mph.
Bondra also has a speed rating of 93 in the video game NHL 22.
9. Nathan MacKinnon
The Canadian center is one of the best players in the NHL, with his elite speed, shot, and hockey sense. He is recognized as one of the fastest skaters in the NHL. In the video game NHL 22, he has a speed rating of 94, which is among the highest in the league.
He was drafted first overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2013, and has since become their franchise player and MVP candidate. He also participated in the Fastest Skater event at the 2018 All-Star Skills Competition, where he finished second behind Connor McDavid with a time of 13.895, which translates to a speed of about 35 mph.
8. Erik Karlsson
Erik Karlsson is a three-time winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman, winning the award in 2012, 2015, and 2023.
Karlsson is known for his exceptional speed and agility on the ice. In 2015, he skated from blue line to blue line in 1.64 seconds, reaching a speed of 34 kilometers per hour while carrying the puck.
Although he has not won the NHL’s Fastest Skater competition, he is considered one of the fastest skaters in the league.
The Swedish defenseman is one of the best offensive blueliners in the NHL, with two Norris Trophies to his name. He has played for the Ottawa Senators and the San Jose Sharks, and has recorded over 600 points in his career. He is also known for his smooth skating and mobility, and participated in the Fastest Skater event at the 2011 All-Star Skills Competition, where he clocked a time of 13.021, which translates to a speed of about 33 mph.
7. Pavel Bure
Pavel Bure, nicknamed “the Russian Rocket,” was one of the most electrifying players in the NHL, with his explosive acceleration and agility.
He played for 12 seasons in the NHL with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers, and New York Rangers. He was known for his exceptional speed and agility on the ice, and he showcased his talent with several end-to-end rushes, carrying the puck past several defenders from near his defensive zone to the opposing net.
He won the Calder Trophy as the rookie of the year in 1992, and led the league in goals three times. He was also one of the first players to wear a helmet-mounted camera, which captured his amazing speed and skill.
Bure’s speed allowed him to race with the Vancouver Canucks all the way to Game 7 of the 1994 Stanley Cup.
Although specific NHL fastest speed achievements for Pavel Bure are not readily available, his speed was a significant part of his game. He was often compared to a rocket, and his speed was a key factor in his success on the ice.
Bure’s ability to skate through defensive muck and add grace to a stagnant style across the league made him a standout player during his time in the NHL. In his first game with the Canucks, Bure’s eye-popping acceleration and straight-ahead speed left fans, opponents, and his own team in awe.
6. Bobby Hull
Bobby Hull, also known as “the Golden Jet,” was a Canadian professional ice hockey player widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the NHL.
He was known for his exceptional speed and agility on the ice, which earned him the nickname “the Golden Jet.”
While specific NHL fastest speed achievements for Bobby Hull are not readily available, it is documented that he could skate at a speed of 29.7 mph (47.8 km/h).
Hull’s speed and skill made him a dominant force in the NHL, and he was a prolific goal scorer throughout his career.
5. Mathew Barzal
The young star of the New York Islanders is one of the most dynamic players in the NHL today, with his exceptional vision and playmaking ability.
He is known for his exceptional speed and agility on the ice. In 2020, Barzal won the NHL’s Fastest Skater competition with a time of 13.175 seconds, edging out Connor McDavid, who had won the competition in each of the previous three years.
Barzal’s time was just .003 seconds away from being the fastest time ever recorded in the competition. His speed and skill on the ice have made him a standout player in the NHL, and he is considered one of the fastest skaters in the league.
4. Dylan Larkin
This current Detroit Red Wings forward is one of the fastest skaters in the NHL, with his impressive acceleration and endurance.
He made his NHL debut in 2015, and has since become the team’s captain and leader.
In 2016, during the NHL All-Star Skills Competition, Larkin broke the record for the fastest skater with a time of 13.172 seconds.
This record still stands today. Larkin’s speed and skill on the ice have made him a standout player in the NHL, and he is considered one of the fastest skaters in the league.
3. Andrei Svechnikov
Andrei Svechnikov, The Russian winger is one of the most exciting players in the NHL, with his combination of speed, skill, and power.
He was drafted second overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2018, and has since become one of their top scorers and playmakers.
In 2023, Svechnikov won the NHL’s Fastest Skater competition with a time of 13.699 seconds, making it the third NHL Skills Competition in a row where a player from the Carolina Hurricanes won the competition
Svechnikov’s speed and skill on the ice have made him a standout player in the NHL, and he is considered one of the fastest skaters in the league.
2. Bobby Orr
Bobby Orr is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensemen in NHL history.
He was known for his extraordinary speed and skill on the ice, which allowed him to rush the puck up the ice, generating scoring opportunities and making a substantial contribution to his team’s offense.
Orr’s speed and agility made him a tough opponent and raised the bar for NHL defensemen.
Although specific NHL fastest speed achievements for Bobby Orr are not readily available, his speed and skill on the ice have made him a standout player in the NHL.
1. Connor McDavid
Connor McDavid is a canadian professional ice hockey player and the captain of the Edmonton Oilers in the NHL. He is widely regarded as the fastest skaters in the league.
McDavid’s top speed has been recorded at 40.9 kilometers per hour (25.5 mph), which is just 4 kilometers per hour slower than the fastest man on the planet, Usain Bolt.
He was drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in 2015, and has since won two Art Ross Trophies, two Ted Lindsay Awards, and one Hart Trophy.
He has won the NHL’s Fastest Skater competition at the All-Star Skills Competition three times, with his fastest time being 13.02 seconds.
McDavid’s exceptional speed and agility on the ice have contributed to his reputation as one of the fastest and most skilled players in the NHL.
