Who Are the Richest NHL Players Of All Time?

By Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 09 May 2023

Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief

Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.

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The Richest NHL Players

• NHL Richest Players: An Overview
• The Top Richest NHL Players
• The History of Wealth in the NHL
• Wayne Gretzky: The Great One
• Mario Lemieux: Magnificent Mario’s Fortune
• Alexander Ovechkin: The Russian Machine’s Riches
• Sidney Crosby: The Next One’s Net Worth
• Jaromir Jagr: The Ageless Wonder
• Other Notable Wealth NHL Players
• Frequently Asked Questions

Discover the most richest NHL players of all time and learn about their journey to amassing significant wealth. From legendary hockey icons to modern-day superstars, we’ll explore how these NHL richest players have earned their fortunes both on and off the ice, delving into the impact of contracts, endorsements, and investments. The richest NHL hockey players might surprise you!

NHL Richest Players: An Overview

In this comprehensive look at the richest NHL players of all time, we’ll dive into the stories behind their extraordinary wealth. As we explore the careers of some of the biggest hockey superstars in history, we’ll reveal how these NHL richest players have earned their fortunes both on and off the ice.

From lucrative contracts to multi-million-dollar endorsements and savvy investments, this blog will offer you an inside look at the lives and financial success of these top athletes.

The Top Richest NHL Players

The top, richest NHL players have all managed to amass huge amounts of wealth. Through the years, the National Hockey League has produced some of the most talented and successful athletes in the world of sports. Here, we’ll take a closer look at these players’ careers, diving into the factors that have contributed to their immense fortunes.

The History of Wealth in the NHL

The NHL has seen a significant increase in player salaries and overall wealth since its inception in 1917. Early players made a modest living, but as the league gained popularity and TV contracts grew, so did the players’ earnings. Today’s NHL players benefit from lucrative contracts, signing bonuses, and endorsements, all of which contribute to their overall wealth. Those who watch or bet on NHL games would know that the league is in a healthy state.

The salary cap system, introduced in 2005, has also played a role in ensuring competitive balance while still allowing star players to receive substantial paychecks. By examining the evolution of wealth in the NHL, we can appreciate the financial growth the league and its players have experienced over the years.

Let’s get started by looking at some of the richest NHL players in the history of the game.

Wayne Gretzky: The Great One

Wayne Gretzky, known as “The Great One,” has left an indelible mark on the world of hockey. With a record-breaking career, it’s no wonder his estimated net worth is around $250 million. Throughout his time in the NHL, Wayne secured lucrative contracts that helped establish his financial foundation.

As the face of the sport, he attracted numerous high-profile endorsements, further boosting his wealth. Companies such as Coca-Cola, Ford, and Upper Deck trading cards clamored to have Gretzky endorse their products, capitalizing on his fame and fan appeal.

After his playing career, Gretzky ventured into various businesses, including sports team ownership and investments in different industries. He has been involved in the restaurant business and even dabbled in winemaking with his label, Wayne Gretzky Estates.

Additionally, he has held executive positions in the NHL, such as the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes and partner and vice-chairman of the Edmonton Oilers Entertainment Group.

These ventures have not only diversified his income streams but also showcased his business acumen. The richest NHL player’s net worth continues to hold the number one spot on the list, despite the fact that he retired from the game back in 1999.

Mario Lemieux: Magnificent Mario’s Fortune

Mario Lemieux’s talent and success on the ice earned him an estimated net worth of $200 million. During his playing career, he landed significant contracts and numerous endorsement deals, adding to his wealth. Lemieux’s skill and reputation in the league attracted sponsorships from major brands such as Nike, which contributed to his growing fortune.

What truly sets Mario apart is his post-retirement success as a businessman. When he purchased the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins, he not only saved the team from bankruptcy but also guided them to multiple championships.

Under Lemieux’s leadership, the Penguins have become one of the most successful and profitable franchises in the NHL. This savvy business move has solidified his legacy and significantly increased his fortune, making him one of the top richest NHL players.

Furthermore, Lemieux’s real estate investments and philanthropic efforts have shaped his financial success and public image. His involvement in the Mario Lemieux Foundation, which focuses on cancer research and patient care, has demonstrated his commitment to giving back to the community.

Through a combination of on-ice achievements, off-ice business ventures, and philanthropy, Mario Lemieux has earned a considerable fortune and left an enduring impact on the world of hockey.

Alexander Ovechkin: The Russian Machine’s Riches

Alexander Ovechkin is a professional ice hockey player who is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time. He has had a highly successful career, and his net worth is estimated to be around $80 million. This wealth has been amassed through a combination of his salary as a player and endorsement deals and sponsorships.

Ovechkin began his professional career in 2004 when he was drafted first overall by the Washington Capitals. Since then, he has become a dominant force in the NHL, winning numerous individual awards and leading the Capitals to their first-ever Stanley Cup championship in 2018.

In addition to his salary as a player, Ovechkin has secured several lucrative endorsement deals throughout his career. He has worked with companies such as Nike, Coca-Cola, and CCM, among others, and has also been featured in several high-profile ad campaigns.

Ovechkin has also been involved in numerous charitable endeavors throughout his career. He has worked with organizations such as the American Heart Association and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, among others, and has used his platform as a professional athlete to give back to the community.

Sidney Crosby: The Next One’s Net Worth

Those who have bet on international hockey or on NHL games know who the next on our list is. Sidney Crosby is a professional hockey player from Canada. He is considered one of the best players of his generation and has an estimated net worth of $75 million. Crosby’s wealth is the result of his illustrious career as an ice hockey player, numerous endorsement deals, and other business ventures.

Crosby began his professional career with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2005, after being drafted first overall. Since then, he has led the team to three Stanley Cup championships and has won numerous individual awards, including the Hart Memorial Trophy twice, the Art Ross Trophy three times, and the Conn Smythe Trophy twice.

In addition to his earnings from playing hockey, Crosby has secured several lucrative endorsement deals throughout his career. He has worked with companies such as Tim Hortons, Gatorade, and Reebok, among others. He has also been featured in various ad campaigns, including the “There’s No Place Like Home” campaign for the Nova Scotia Tourism Agency.

Crosby is also known for his various philanthropic endeavors. He has established the Sidney Crosby Foundation to help children in need, and he has also worked with other organizations such as the Mario Lemieux Foundation and the Little Penguins Learn to Play program.

Jaromir Jagr: The Ageless Wonder

The Ageless Wonder, Jaromir Jagr, boasts an estimated net worth of $60 million. His exceptional career longevity allowed him to amass substantial earnings through contracts and endorsement deals – earnings that have made him one of the top richest NHL players.

Jagr’s international appeal, particularly in his native Czech Republic, played a role in his financial success. Even after leaving the NHL, Jagr continued playing professional hockey in Europe, maintaining his income stream from the sport.

Jagr’s dedication and ability to perform at a high level well into his 40s have contributed to his impressive net worth. His off-ice interests have also played a part in his financial success.

Jagr has invested in various businesses, including a Czech professional hockey team, HC Kladno, which he both owns and has played for. Additionally, he has been involved in the Czech fashion industry, launching his clothing line named JAGR.

Despite facing financial setbacks in the past due to alleged gambling debts and legal issues, Jagr has managed to maintain his wealth and continue to thrive. His perseverance in the face of adversity, combined with his dedication to the sport, business ventures, and smart investments, has solidified his place among the NHL’s richest players.

Other Notable Wealth NHL Players

The NHL richest players list may not look like that of the NFL’s – but there are still several highly wealthy players, as you’ve seen. Below, we’re going to take a look at some other notable hockey players who’ve amassed huge amounts of wealth during their career.