Top 25 players in Chicago Blackhawks history
In a couple of months, the Chicago Blackhawks will be celebrating their 100th year of existence. As one of the Original Six franchises, the team from the Windy City has had some memorable years, winning six Stanley Cups, including three in the salary cap era.
Today, we look back at the names and characters that made the Blackhawks one of the standard bearers of the NHL, giving fans some memorable moments over the past century.
Honorable Mention
George “Bill” Hay (1959-1967)
While he might be better known for his work with the Hockey Hall of Fame and Calgary Flames, Hay was a pretty good player in his day. Along with winning the Calder Trophy in 1959-60, the two-time All-Star was a key secondary scorer on the Hawks team that won the Stanley Cup in 1961.
Dirk Graham (1988-1995)
When the Blackhawks were going through their transition period in the late ’80s, Graham provided a healthy blend of skill, grit, and leadership to a team filled with up-and-coming stars. He was one of the franchise’s better two-way players, winning the Selke Trophy in 1991. He was captain of the Hawks from 1989 to his retirement in 1995, the third-longest run wearing the ‘C’ in franchise history. Graham is also the franchise leader with 26 shorthanded goals.
Patrick Sharp (2005-2015, 2017-18)
A key member of the core that helped the Blackhawks win three Stanley Cups in the 2010s, Sharp was an effective scoring threat with the ability to be reliable in his own zone. In his 11 years with Chicago, the Winnipeg native hit the 30-goal mark four times, finishing with 249 goals and 532 points with the Blackhawks.
25. Keith Magnuson (1969-1980)
A tough-as-nails defenseman who had a knack for producing on the offensive end in his younger years, Magnuson was known as a menace around the NHL. The former captain entered the league swinging in 1969, literally. He led all skaters with 213 penalty minutes, scoring 24 points, and finishing third in Calder Trophy voting. He followed that up with another 289 PIMs the following season. Magnuson spent all 11 seasons with the Hawks, sitting second in franchise history with 1,440 PIMs. He is one of eight players in franchise history to have his number retired.
24. Corey Crawford (2006-2020)
People might knock Crawford’s legitimacy, saying that he only won because of the team in front of him. Yet, the Montreal native always found a way to come in clutch when called upon, helping the Blackhawks win Cups in 2013 and 2015. In each of those seasons, the two-time All-Star won the Jennings Trophy. He ranks third in all-time wins as a Blackhawk (260) and second in save percentage (.918).
23. Pit Martin (1967-1977)
In a time when the team had the Hulls and Mikita, Nesterenko was a solid secondary scorer for a Chicago team that was still competitive. However, after Bobby Hull jetted off to the WHA, Martin stepped up and became one of the Black Hawks’ more prominent offensive weapons. A four-time All-Star, Martin hit the 30-goal mark three times with Chicago, notching a career-high 90 points during the 1972-73 campaign. Martin sits ninth all-time with 627 points in 11 seasons.
22. Brent Seabrook (2005-2020)
On what is generally regarded as one of the deepest bluelines in the salary cap era, Brent Seabrook was an exceptional defender who played a key role in three Stanley Cups, on and off the ice. His two overtime goals during the 2013 run earned him the name “Mr. Overtime.” The right-handed shooting blueliner hardly missed any games, but injuries led to him having to retire in 2021 before turning 35. Yet, his 1,114 games played rank fourth on the franchise’s all-time list.
21. Tony Amonte (1994-2003)
When the Blackhawks started to take a downturn late in the 20th Century, the only guy that seemed to be worth watching was Tony Amonte. The former New York Ranger was a skilled asset with a great shot that led to him scoring 40 goals three times with the Hawks, including a career-best 44 in 1998-99. The five-time All-Star sits eighth in franchise history in goals with 268.
20. Doug Bentley (1939-1944, 1945-1952)
Certainly one of the most efficient scorers in franchise history. The older brother of Max Bentley, Doug proved to be a star for a Hawks team that struggled to be a consistent threat in the NHL. The five-time All-Star led the league with 33 goals and 73 points in 1942-43, earning his first of three First Team All-Star nominations. In his 12 years with Chicago, he led the league in goals twice, as well as assists on two occasions. While ending up with 531 points with the Hawks, Bentley would have 711 points in era adjustment by Hockey Reference, which would put him seventh in franchise history.
19. Dennis Hull (1964-1977)
The younger Hull on the great Black Hawk teams of the ’60s, Dennis was an efficient offensive weapon. In 13 seasons with Chicago, he scored at least 30 goals four times, including a career-best 40 goals during the 1970-71 season. While he wasn’t able to help his team win a championship, Dennis earned individual accolades by becoming a five-time All-Star, and being named an NHL Second Team All-Star in 1973. He’s seventh in franchise history in goals (298) and eighth in points (640).
18. Steve Larmer (1981-1993)
Right before Amonte arrived, Larmer was one of the Blackhawks’ most feared sharpshooters and one of the league’s most durable players. Before a contract dispute with the Hawks at the beginning of the 1993-94 season, the Peterborough native played in 884 consecutive games, the third-longest streak at the time. While his tenure with Chicago ended unceremoniously, he was remembered for being efficient in putting the puck in the back of the net. Across his 11 full seasons in Chicago, he scored 40 goals five times. He sits fourth in goals (406) as a Hawk, fifth in points (923) and seventh in assists (517).
17. Max Bentley (1940-1943, 1945-1947)
Had he not had to miss two seasons because of military duty during World War II, the younger Bentley might have ended up higher on this list. After spending two years with the Canadian Infantry Corps, Bentley returned to Chicago in 1945 to join the Pony Line with brother Doug and Bill Mosienko. There seemed to be little rust on Max, leading the NHL with 61 points and becoming the first Black Hawk to win the Hart Trophy. The following season, 1946-47, Bentley led the league with a career-high 72 points, becoming just the third player at the time to win back-to-back scoring titles.
16. Marian Hossa (2009-2017)
Though his career was cut short, it’s hard to argue the level of impact Hossa had in Chicago. When he signed with the organization in 2009, the Hawks were a team on the cusp of greatness, but they needed a little more. That was where the Slovakian sniper came in. His talent and leadership were crucial in getting the team over the hump. He was one of the team’s top scorers in the runs to three Stanley Cups in six seasons, scoring 50 points in five of his eight seasons with the club. Hossa had his No. 81 retired in 2022.
15. Charlie Gardiner (1927-1934)
The story of “Chuck” Gardiner has as much triumph as tragedy. The right-handed catching netminder was the Black Hawks’ first star netminder. He led the NHL in shutouts twice, winning the Vezina Trophy in 1932 and 1934. During the 1933-34 season, Gardiner battled through a tonsil infection, which led to multiple hospitalizations and him allegedly blacking out during games, to help the franchise win its first Stanley Cup. Just over two months after the season ended, Gardiner died from a brain hemorrhage caused by the infection.
The three-time First Team All-Star posted a 2.02 goals-against average with Chicago, the best in franchise history. He ranks third on the team in shutouts (42) and eighth in wins (112).
14. Ed Belfour (1988-89, 1990-1996)
Prior to the emergence of Dominik Hasek and Martin Brodeur, Eddie Belfour was arguably the second-best goaltender in the NHL behind Patrick Roy. In his first full season with the team, he was sensational, winning the Calder, Jennings and Vezina Trophies. The five-time All-Star was one of the best netminders of his generation, winning the Vezina twice, with three of his four Vezinas coming as a member of the Hawks. He helped the team reach the Western Conference Final twice, as well as the 1992 Stanley Cup Final. Belfour is fourth in franchise history in wins (201), shutouts (30) and saves (9,762).
13. Doug Wilson (1977-1991)
Consistent and efficient, with a rather memorable hairstyle to boot, Doug Wilson was certainly one of the Hawks’ best players through the ’80s. In a time when names like Potvin, Coffey, and Langway were the popular blueliners of the time, Wilson managed to stand out. The Ottawa native won the Norris Trophy in 1981-82, scoring a career-best 85 points. A strong presence in his own zone, Wilson was a significant offensive threat, scoring 60 points seven times. He ranks fourth all-time in franchise assists (554), seventh in points (779), and ninth in games played (938).
12. Duncan Keith (2005-2021)
One of the driving forces behind the Blackhawks’ dynasty during the 2010s, Keith was arguably the team’s first star defenseman since Chris Chelios. He was certifiably one of the best defensemen in the NHL, something he proved by winning the Norris Trophy twice in 2010 and 2014. In those two years, the soon-to-be Hall of Famer scored 60 points, including a career-best 69 in 2009-10. He was consistently paired with Seabrook, with the two becoming the first d-pair to play 1,000 games together in 2018.
Keith’s 1,192 games as a Hawk are second all-time. He’s also sixth in career assists (520) and 10th in points (625) with the team.
11. Bill Mosienko (1941-1955)
Alongside the Bentley brothers, Mosienko was a finisher on the Pony Line that carried the team’s offense through the early ’40s. After the Bentleys moved on, Mosienko carried the load through some tough times in the next decade, but was still one of the NHL’s top scorers. In his 14 years in the league, all with the Hawks, he scored over 30 goals twice, earning a spot in the All-Star Game four times and winning the Lady Byng Trophy in 1945. Mosienko also holds the record for the fastest hat trick in league history, scoring thrice in 21 seconds. Mosienko is 10th all-time in goals (258), with his era-adjusted points (698) placing him ninth in franchise history.
10. Jeremy Roenick (1988-1996)
Some might call him cocky. Some might call him arrogant. Call him what you will, but there were few players who could back up the talk like Roenick could back in the early ’90s. A fiery player who made an impact at all ends of the rink, the Boston native, along with the likes of Chelios and Belfour, was a superstar on a team that was one of the best in the old Norris Division. The Hall of Famer scored 50 goals in back-to-back seasons in 1991-92 and 1992-93, and sits ninth on the team’s all-time list with 267 goals.
9. Denis Savard (1980-1991, 1995-1997)
Gifted. Talented. Nifty. Pick your adjective, and you’ll appropriately describe Denis Savard’s game. Aptly known as a water bug, the 5-foot-10 center was difficult to stop thanks to his agility and skill. Perfecting the spin-o-rama, made famous by Montreal Canadiens legend Serge Savard, Denis was one of the more underappreciated playmakers of the ’80s. The Gatineau native, who had his No. 18 retired in 1998, scored over 100 points five times during the decade, including a career-best 131 during the 1987-88 campaign. The seven-time All-Star is fourth on the team’s all-time scoring list with 1,096 points, third in assists (719) and fifth in goals (377).
8. Chris Chelios (1990-1999)
One of the more feared players of his generation. Chelios was a tough and rugged defenseman who could provide a little bit of help on the offensive end as well. The Chicago native joined his hometown team after establishing himself with the Habs, but became a superstar with the Hawks. He won two of his three Norris Trophies in Chicago, scoring over 70 points during the 1992-93 and 1995-96 seasons. Along with his No. 7 being retired, Chelios ranks 10th all-time in assists (395) with the organization, along with a franchise-record 1,495 penalty minutes.
7. Pierre Pilote (1956-1968)
A leader through and through, Pilote was one of the premier defensemen of the ’60s, providing a dynamic skillset and leadership that guided the Black Hawks during the team’s first era of strength. He won the Norris Trophy three years in a row from 1963 to 1965, becoming just the second player to win the award in consecutive years, and was a runner-up three more times. Pilote’s efforts helped the Hawks lift Lord Stanley’s Cup in 1961. The Hall of Famer was named a First Team All-Star five times, and appeared in the All-Star Game eight times in a nine-year span. The famous No. 3 captained the team for seven seasons, a record that stood until Jonathan Toews became a star in the Windy City.
6. Jonathan Toews (2007-2023)
Speaking of Toews, another player destined for the Hall of Fame, there were few players who bled the franchise’s colors the way No. 19 did. Along with a player that we’ll talk about in just a minute, Toews helped resurrect a meddling franchise and led the team to become one of the NHL’s most dominant teams for several years. Across 15 seasons with the team, he played in 1,067 games, ranked fifth in franchise history, sitting sixth in goals (372), eighth in assists (511), sixth in points (883) and third in game-winning goals (67). The 2010 Conn Smythe Trophy winner captained the team for 14 seasons, a franchise record.
5. Tony Esposito (1969-1983)
“Tony O” might have caught with the wrong hand, but his play between the pipes proved he was the right guy on the team for well over a decade. A man who wore his heart on his sleeve, Esposito was a spirited netminder who would do almost anything to win a hockey game. He helped the Black Hawks advance to the Cup Final twice, coming up short against the Habs in 1971 and 1973. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner, who had his No. 35 retired in 1988, leads Chicago in almost every goaltending statistic – wins (418), losses (302), ties/OT losses (148), saves (24,376), shutouts (74).
4. Glenn Hall (1957-1967)
While Esposito might statistically be the best goaltender in franchise history, “Mr. Goalie” might have been the most impactful. Hall, the father of the butterfly style, came to the Hawks after a few good seasons in Detroit, but became a star in Chicago. Along with his insane 502 consecutive games-played streak (552 if you include the playoffs), Hall was the key player who helped the team win the Cup in 1961, pushing the team to three final appearances in his 10 years with the team. An eight-time All-Star and two-time Vezina winner with the Hawks, old No. 1 is second behind Esposito in wins (276), saves (17,230) and shutouts (51).
Fun fact: Hall and Esposito’s numbers were retired on the same night in 1988.
3. Patrick Kane (2007-2023)
It’s 2007, and the Blackhawks are one of the worst teams in the NHL. Enter a curly-haired kid from the London Knights, and the rest was history. From winning the Calder in 2007-08 to his eight All-Star Game appearances, along with being a First Team All-Star three times, Kane was the man who was above the rest on one of the best teams in the NHL for several seasons. He hit the 100-point mark twice in his 16 seasons with the Hawks, including the 2015-16 season when he scored 106, winning the Art Ross, Hart and Ted Lindsay awards. Kane’s heroics in the 2010 final will always be remembered by fans in Chicago. The 2013 Conn Smythe Trophy winner is third all-time in games played (1,161) and goals (446), and second in assists (779) and points (1,225).
2. Bobby Hull (1957-1972)
With his booming shot and lightning speed, “The Golden Jet” was one of the cream of the crop for over a decade. Along with being a driving force behind the team winning the Stanley Cup in 1961, Hull was a formidable scoring threat. He won the Art Ross Trophy three times, winning the Hart Trophy in 1965-66 after becoming the first player in NHL history to score over 50 goals in a season. No. 9 hit that 50-goal four times with the Black Hawks, including a career-best 58 goals in 1968-69. Hull is the franchise leader in goals (604) and game-winning goals (98), third in points (1,153) and fifth in assists (549).
1. Stan Mikita (1958-1980)
If there was anyone who epitomized what it was to play in Chicago, it was Stan Mikita. A gritty player with an immense amount of skill, the man who wore No. 21 in the red and black was the hard-working type that connected with the Midwestern city. Early in his career, he earned a reputation for being a little chippy, which led to an impressive 1964-65 season where he led the NHL with 87 points while accumulating 154 penalty minutes. Mikita cleaned his game up as he matured, leading to the 1966-67 and 1967-68 campaigns where he became the first and so far only player to win the Hart, Art Ross and Lady Byng Trophies in consecutive seasons.
Mikita became the first Slovakian-born player to win the Stanley Cup in 1961. He’s the all-time leader in games played (1,396), assists (926), points (1,467), and plus/minus (329). He’s also second in goals (541) and third in power-play goals (150).