Gordie Howe, pictured here in 1966, played his final NHL game at 52.
Below is the List of oldest
National Hockey League (NHL) players, with their last year in parentheses. Only hockey players who played at least one game in the regular season or playoffs when they were 40 or older are included on the list.
Oldest players in a regular season or playoff game
1.^ Gordie Howe first retired at 43 years old in 1971. He took a two year hiatus and returned to hockey in the
World Hockey Association with the
Houston Aeros, then returned to the NHL with the
Hartford Whalers for his final full pro season in 1979–80. In 1997 Howe returned at 69 years old playing one game (one shift) in the
IHL with the
Detroit Vipers.
3.^ Jacques Plante finished his career in the
World Hockey Association during the 1974–75 season with Edmonton Oilers retiring at 46 years old. Plante became the oldest goaltender in the WHA.
4.^ Maurice "Moe" Roberts became the oldest goaltender in the NHL. At that time he was the assistant trainer with the
Chicago Black Hawks and replaced an injured
Harry Lumley in the third period.
5.^ Lester Patrick replaced an injured
Lorne Chabot in the second period. Patrick was the general manager and coach of the
New York Rangers at the time. Patrick remains the oldest goalie to play in a Stanley Cup Finals.
Gordie Howe, pictured here in 1966, played his final NHL game at 52.
Below is the List of oldest
National Hockey League (NHL) players, with their last year in parentheses. Only hockey players who played at least one game in the regular season or playoffs when they were 40 or older are included on the list.
Oldest players in a regular season or playoff game
1.^ Gordie Howe first retired at 43 years old in 1971. He took a two year hiatus and returned to hockey in the
World Hockey Association with the
Houston Aeros, then returned to the NHL with the
Hartford Whalers for his final full pro season in 1979–80. In 1997 Howe returned at 69 years old playing one game (one shift) in the
IHL with the
Detroit Vipers.
3.^ Jacques Plante finished his career in the
World Hockey Association during the 1974–75 season with Edmonton Oilers retiring at 46 years old. Plante became the oldest goaltender in the WHA.
4.^ Maurice "Moe" Roberts became the oldest goaltender in the NHL. At that time he was the assistant trainer with the
Chicago Black Hawks and replaced an injured
Harry Lumley in the third period.
5.^ Lester Patrick replaced an injured
Lorne Chabot in the second period. Patrick was the general manager and coach of the
New York Rangers at the time. Patrick remains the oldest goalie to play in a Stanley Cup Finals.