The National Hockey League (NHL) is one of the most prestigious and competitive ice hockey leagues in the world, where only a handful of players have achieved the remarkable milestone of scoring 900 points or more.
In this blog post, we will explore the fastest players to reach this milestone, including the legendary Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Mike Bossy, among others.
We will also look at some active players who have reached or are close to reaching 900 points, such as Alex Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Patrick Kane, and examine what this means for their legacy in the sport.
Join us as we delve into the world of NHL scoring records and celebrate some of the greatest players in the history of the game.
Fastest NHL Players to Reach 900 Points
The fastest player to reach 900 points was Wayne Gretzky, who did it in only 385 games. He is widely regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time, and holds the record for most points in a career with 2,857. He also holds the record for most points in a season with 215, which he achieved twice.
The second fastest player to reach 900 points was Mario Lemieux, who did it in 513 games. He is considered one of the most talented and dominant players ever, and won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also overcame many health issues, including cancer and chronic back pain, and retired with 1,723 points in 915 games.
The third fastest player to reach 900 points was Mike Bossy, who did it in 524 games. He was a prolific goal scorer who led the league in goals five times and won four consecutive Stanley Cups with the New York Islanders. He retired prematurely due to a back injury, but still finished with 573 goals and 1,126 points in 752 games.
The fourth fastest player to reach 900 points was Peter Stastny, who did it in 531 games. He was a pioneer for European players in the NHL, and was the first player born and trained in Europe to score 1,000 points. He played for the Quebec Nordiques, New Jersey Devils and St. Louis Blues, and amassed 1,239 points in 977 games.
The fifth fastest player to reach 900 points was Jari Kurri, who did it in 541 games. He was Gretzky’s longtime linemate and one of the best Finnish players of all time. He won five Stanley Cups with the Edmonton Oilers and scored 601 goals and 1,398 points in 1,251 games.
Some of the active players who have reached or are close to reaching 900 points are:
- Alex Ovechkin: He is the current leader in goals among active players with 752, and has 1,320 points in 1,197 games. He is the fastest active player to reach 900 points, doing it in 764 games. He is chasing Gretzky’s record of 894 goals and has won one Stanley Cup with the Washington Capitals.
- Sidney Crosby: He is widely regarded as the best player of his generation and has won three Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has 486 goals and 1,325 points in 1,039 games. He reached 900 points in 782 games.
- Evgeni Malkin: He is Crosby’s teammate and has also won three Stanley Cups with the Penguins. He has 425 goals and 1,076 points in 940 games. He reached 900 points in 804 games.
- Patrick Kane: He is the first American-born player to win the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s leading scorer and has won three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks. He has 404 goals and 1,065 points in 1,029 games. He reached 900 points in 855 games.
- Steven Stamkos: He is the captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning and has won two Stanley Cups with them. He has led the league in goals twice and has scored over 50 goals twice. He has 422 goals and 874 points in 841 games.
- Nicklas Backstrom: He is Ovechkin’s longtime linemate and has also won one Stanley Cup with the Capitals. He is one of the best playmakers in the league and has recorded over 50 assists nine times.
How to Become One of the Fastest Players to 900 Points in the Nhl?
The National Hockey League (NHL) is one of the most competitive and prestigious professional ice hockey leagues in the world. To score 900 points in the NHL is a remarkable achievement that only 97 players have accomplished in the league’s history.
But to do it in fewer than 700 games is even more impressive, as only 10 players have ever done that. In this blog post, we will look at some of the factors that contribute to becoming one of the fastest players to 900 points in the NHL, and what aspiring hockey players can learn from them.
1. Start Young and Stay Healthy
The 10 fastest players to 900 points in the NHL all began their careers at a young age, ranging from 18 to 21 years old. This gave them an advantage of playing more seasons and games than older players who entered the league later.
Moreover, they were able to avoid major injuries that could have slowed down their production or shortened their careers. For example, Wayne Gretzky, who holds the record for the fastest player to 900 points (in only 385 games), never missed more than six games in a season until he was 30 years old.
2. Play With Talented Teammates and Linemates
The 10 fastest players to 900 points in the NHL all benefited from playing with some of the best players of their era, who helped them create scoring opportunities and finish them off.
For example, Mario Lemieux, who reached 900 points in 513 games, played most of his career with Jaromir Jagr, who is second on the all-time NHL scoring list. Similarly, Sidney Crosby, who reached 900 points in 677 games, played with Evgeni Malkin, who is also among the top scorers of his generation.
3. Have a Versatile and Dominant Style of Play
The 10 fastest players to 900 points in the NHL all had a unique and multifaceted style of play that made them hard to defend and easy to score. They could shoot, pass, skate, stickhandle, and deke with ease and precision.
They could also play in any situation, whether it was even strength, power play, or penalty kill. They could also adapt to different systems, coaches, and opponents. They were not only skilled, but also smart, creative, and competitive.
4. Be Consistent and Motivated
The 10 fastest players to 900 points in the NHL all showed a high level of consistency and motivation throughout their careers. They did not have many slumps or droughts, and they always tried to improve their game and help their team win.
They did not let external factors such as pressure, expectations, or criticism affect their performance or attitude. They also did not rest on their laurels or become complacent after reaching milestones or winning awards. They always strived for more.
These are some of the common traits that the fastest players to 900 points in the NHL share. Of course, there are other factors that influence a player’s success, such as luck, opportunity, and circumstance.
But these factors are largely out of a player’s control. What a player can control is his own work ethic, attitude, and passion for the game. By following the examples of these legendary players, aspiring hockey players can increase their chances of becoming one of the fastest players to 900 points in the NHL.
Final Words
Scoring 900 points or more in the NHL is a remarkable achievement that only a few players have accomplished in the history of the league. The fastest players to reach this milestone are the legends of the sport, including Gretzky, Lemieux, Bossy, and Stastny, among others.
While these players have left their mark on the game, there are also active players who are on track to reach this milestone, including Ovechkin, Crosby, and Kane, who have cemented their status as some of the best players of their generation.
As the NHL continues to evolve, we can only imagine what the future holds for scoring records and the players who will make their mark in the history of the league.
Brandon McNally