Top Richest NHL Players: Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Alexander Ovechkin, net worth revealed

Ice hockey has created some of the richest athletes in sports. Salaries, endorsements, and smart investments helped players build massive fortunes. Legends like Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux earned a lot. Along with Alexander Ovechkin earned both on the ice and off. Teams like the Edmonton Oilers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Capitals shaped their careers and wealth.

Wayne Gretzky, Edmonton Oilers, and other teams' earnings

Wayne Douglas Gretzky played for the Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and New York Rangers. His 20-year career from 1979 to 1999 set over 60 NHL records. He won four Stanley Cups with the Oilers. Gretzky invested in real estate, owned sports teams, and ran a winery. His current net worth is around $250 million. This makes him one of the wealthiest hockey players ever.

Mario Lemieux's Pittsburgh Penguins career and current ownership fortune

Mario Lemieux, called "Super Mario," played 17 seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He won two Stanley Cups and earned many awards. In 1999, Lemieux became the owner of the Penguins after the team filed for bankruptcy. By 2021, he held 40 percent of the franchise before Fenway Sports bought the team in a $900 million deal. Lemieux remains a minority owner. His net worth is approximately $300 million.

Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals, contracts and sponsorship income

Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin is the captain of the Washington Capitals. The Russian left winger earns $16 million annually from his NHL contract. He also makes $5 million through sponsorships with Nike, Hublot, and Papa John’s. Ovechkin is known for scoring and leadership, and his estimated net worth is $80 million.

Other top earners include Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins with $75 million. Pavel Bure with $70 million, Mark Messier with $65 million, Joe Thornton, Jarome Iginla, and Evgeni Malkin also reached $60 million through long NHL careers and endorsements.

These players show that success in hockey can bring enormous financial rewards. From contracts to sponsorships and ownership stakes, they turned players' talent into lasting wealth.