These are the oldest players in NHL history

Hockey players are a different breed. While most sports see their stars fizzle out by the time they reach their late thirties, the NHL routinely has their stars shine well into their forties. Hockey players play the game with grit and resilience, unlike any other athlete. Maybe that’s why they boast some of the oldest professional athletes in the history of North American team sports.

Age: 52 years, 6 days

Teams: Detroit Red Wings, Houston Aeros, New England Whalers, Hartford Whalers

Fun fact: In the season 3 episode of

Age: 48 years, 71 days

Teams: Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Atlanta Thrashers

Fun fact: He’s part of what’s known as the “Malibu Mob.”

Age: 45 years, 319 days

Teams: Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames

Fun fact: He inspired a legion of fans, known as the Traveling Jagrs, who would attend games dressed as him.

Age: 45 years, 42 days

Teams: Boston Bruins, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals

Fun fact: In addition to his native tongue, he also speaks Czech, Polish, Swedish, Russian, German, and English.

Age: 44 years, 100 days

Teams: Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues

Fun fact: He owned a restaurant in Montreal.

Age: 44 years, 99 days

Teams: New York Rangers

Fun fact: His son Lynn, and grandson, Craig, were both inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Age: 44 years, 39 days

Teams: Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres

Fun fact: Yes, he’s the Tim Horton behind the Tim Horton’s chain.

Age: 43 years, 317 days

Teams: Winnipeg Jets, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Anaheim Ducks

Fun fact: He owned four restaurants in Finland.

Age: 43 years, 277 days

Teams: Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks

Fun fact: Claude and his son Brendan are the only father-son duo punished by the NHL for biting.

Age: 43 years, 73 days

Teams: Indianapolis Racers, Cincinnati Stingers, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks

Fun fact: He owned the Runaway Hill Club in the Bahamas.

Age: 42 years, 134 days

Teams: Detroit Red Wings, Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils

Fun fact: He has his own line of wines.