Brent Burns is the oldest active NHL player at 41. Gordie Howe is the oldest ever, at 52 years 11 days.
This guide ranks the 10 oldest players ever and the oldest at each position. A free tool shows when any active player could catch the record.
Who is the oldest NHL player right now?
Brent Burns of Colorado is 41 years 247 days old on 11 November 2026. He was born on 9 March 1985. NHL named him the oldest player on any 2026 to 27 opening day roster.
Four players are 40 or older. Corey Perry and Alex Ovechkin are 41 as well. Evgeni Malkin is 40.
This table gives the age of each one on 11 November 2026.
| Player | Team | Born | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brent Burns | Colorado Avalanche | 9 March 1985 | 41 years 247 days |
| Corey Perry | Los Angeles Kings | 16 May 1985 | 41 years 179 days |
| Alex Ovechkin | Washington Capitals | 17 September 1985 | 41 years 55 days |
| Evgeni Malkin | Pittsburgh Penguins | 31 July 1986 | 40 years 103 days |
Oldest player at each position
This table shows the oldest player at each position on 11 November 2026.
| Position | Player | Team | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Defenseman | Brent Burns | Colorado Avalanche | 41 years 247 days |
| Right wing | Corey Perry | Los Angeles Kings | 41 years 179 days |
| Left wing | Alex Ovechkin | Washington Capitals | 41 years 55 days |
| Center | Evgeni Malkin | Pittsburgh Penguins | 40 years 103 days |
| Goalie | Cam Talbot | Columbus Blue Jackets | 39 years 129 days |
The hockey positions guide covers each job on the ice.
Who is next after the four?
Five more players are 39 on 11 November 2026:
- Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins: 39 years 201 days
- Cam Talbot, Columbus Blue Jackets: 39 years 129 days
- Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins: 39 years 96 days
- Mats Zuccarello, Los Angeles Kings: 39 years 71 days
- Nick Foligno, Minnesota Wild: 39 years 11 days
Who is the oldest NHL player ever?
Gordie Howe is the oldest NHL player ever. He played his last game on 11 April 1980, at 52 years 11 days old. It was a playoff game for the Hartford Whalers against Montreal.
Gordie Howe played all 80 games in 1979 to 80 and scored 15 goals.
His last regular season game came on 6 April 1980. He was 52 years 6 days old. He scored his 801st goal that night against Detroit.
The Gordie Howe hat trick guide covers his other famous mark.
The 10 oldest NHL players ever
This table ranks the players by their age in a last NHL game. Playoff games count. Age counts full years and days since the last birthday.
| Rank | Player | Age at last game | Last game | Team and opponent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gordie Howe | 52 years 11 days | 11 April 1980 | Hartford Whalers against Montreal Canadiens (playoffs) |
| 2 | Chris Chelios | 48 years 71 days | 6 April 2010 | Atlanta Thrashers against New Jersey Devils |
| 3 | Moe Roberts | 45 years 347 days | 25 November 1951 | Chicago Black Hawks against Detroit Red Wings |
| 4 | Jaromir Jagr | 45 years 319 days | 31 December 2017 | Calgary Flames against Chicago Blackhawks |
| 5 | Zdeno Chara | 45 years 42 days | 29 April 2022 | New York Islanders against Tampa Bay Lightning |
| 6 | Johnny Bower | 45 years 32 days | 10 December 1969 | Toronto Maple Leafs against Montreal Canadiens |
| 7 | Gump Worsley | 44 years 323 days | 2 April 1974 | Minnesota North Stars against Philadelphia Flyers |
| 8 | Doug Harvey | 44 years 100 days | 29 March 1969 | St. Louis Blues against Los Angeles Kings |
| 9 | Lester Patrick | 44 years 99 days | 7 April 1928 | New York Rangers against Montreal Maroons (Cup Final, Game 2) |
| 10 | Jacques Plante | 44 years 78 days | 5 April 1973 | Boston Bruins against New York Rangers (playoffs) |
Tim Horton is 11th at 44 years 39 days. He played his last game on 20 February 1974 for Buffalo.
Seven of the 10 played their last game before 1981. Only Chelios, Jagr and Chara played after 2000. Howe and Jagr are the only forwards on the list.
How Moe Roberts reached third
Chicago hosted Detroit on 25 November 1951. Starting goalie Harry Lumley was hurt and could not return for the third period.
Assistant trainer Moe Roberts took his place for the last 20 minutes. He turned away every shot in a 5 to 2 loss.
He was 45 years 347 days old. He is the oldest goalie to play in an NHL game.
Oldest goalie, defenseman and forward of all time
This table shows the oldest player at each position, by age in a last game.
| Position | Player | Age at last game |
|---|---|---|
| Forward | Gordie Howe | 52 years 11 days |
| Defenseman | Chris Chelios | 48 years 71 days |
| Goalie | Moe Roberts | 45 years 347 days |
Chelios played his last game for Atlanta in April 2010. He won the Stanley Cup with Detroit in 2008, at age 46. NHL.com calls him the oldest player to win the Cup.
The Hockey Hall of Fame says Chelios passed Roberts on 8 January 2008. He was 45 years 348 days old. Detroit’s 2008 Cup sits on the Cup count ladder.
Chase the record
Pick a player and the age of his last game. See where it ranks and the date he reaches each name.
Can anyone catch Gordie Howe?
Burns is the first active player who could match Gordie Howe’s age. The date is 20 March 2037, and he would have to be playing then.
These steps show how that date works:
- Burns was born on 9 March 1985.
- He turns 52 on 9 March 2037.
- Howe was 52 years 11 days old, so add 11 days.
- The date is 20 March 2037.
This table gives the date each active player reaches three ages on the list.
| Player | Top 10 spot (44 years 78 days) | Chelios (48 years 71 days) | Howe (52 years 11 days) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brent Burns | 26 May 2029 | 19 May 2033 | 20 March 2037 |
| Corey Perry | 2 August 2029 | 26 July 2033 | 27 May 2037 |
| Alex Ovechkin | 4 December 2029 | 27 November 2033 | 28 September 2037 |
| Evgeni Malkin | 17 October 2030 | 10 October 2034 | 11 August 2038 |
A player must play on or after the date for the spot to count.
Veteran questions
How old is the oldest active NHL player?
Brent Burns is 41 years 247 days old on 11 November 2026. He turns 42 on 9 March 2027.
How many NHL players are 40 or older right now?
Four players are 40 or older. Burns, Perry and Ovechkin are 41, and Malkin is 40. NHL.com listed the same four on opening day rosters.
Who is the oldest goalie in the NHL right now?
Cam Talbot of Columbus is 39 years 129 days old on 11 November 2026.
Who is the oldest player to win the Stanley Cup?
Chris Chelios was 46 when Detroit won the Cup in 2008.
Did Gordie Howe score goals at 52?
Yes. He scored his 801st goal at 52 years 6 days old, on 6 April 1980. He scored once more in the playoffs against Montreal.
Take your shot
A fan says Chris Chelios played in the NHL at the oldest age ever. Is that right?
Pick one to take your shot.
Checked against NHL.com and NHL stats
NHL.com, 2026 to 27 opening rosters by the numbers
Hockey Hall of Fame, Chris Chelios
Checked November 2026
