How fast can hockey players skate? Embark on a thrilling journey into the heart-pounding world of hockey speed as we unravel the physics and athleticism behind a question that echoes through rinks worldwide.
How fast do hockey players skate?
The average top speed for NHL hockey players is an impressive 22.1 mph for forwards and 21.5 mph for defensemen. In kilometers, that’s 35.5 km/h and 34.6 km/h respectively.
The fastest hockey players in the NHL can reach a blazing top speed of 24 mph, or 39 km/h. This includes speed demons like Nathan MacKinnon and Connor McDavid.
Read on to discover the 10 fastest hockey players in the NHL, recorded using official NHL Edge technology.
Who Is The Fastest Hockey Player?
Denis Gurianov of the Montreal Canadiens holds the title of fastest NHL player since 2021, with a jaw-dropping top speed of 24.6 mph (39.6 km/h). He set this record on October 16th, 2021, in the third period against the Boston Bruins.
Hot on his heels is six-time All-Star and Stanley Cup champion Nathan MacKinnon, with a top speed of 24.5 mph, or 39.5 km/h – just 0.06 mph behind Gurianov.
Most people might guess Nathan MacKinnon or Connor McDavid as the fastest hockey players in the NHL, and they’d be close. Both are among the top 10 fastest players.
Fastest Isn’t Necessarily The Best
In hockey, speed isn’t the only factor that makes a player great.
Many of the records listed were set by players without the puck – during forechecking, backchecking, or regrouping. Every hockey player knows that speed with the puck is far more impressive.
Players like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon can skate at 24 mph while maintaining complete control of the puck, making them a nightmare for any defender.
With that in mind, the top 3 fastest hockey players with the puck in the NHL are likely:
- Nathan MacKinnon
- Brayden Point
- Connor McDavid
Who Is The Fastest Man On Ice Skates?
In 2022, Dutch speed skater Kjeld Nuis set the world record for the fastest man on ice skates, reaching an astonishing top speed of 64 mph (103 km/h).
That’s 40 mph faster than Connor McDavid and faster than most cars on an interstate highway – absolutely crazy.
Nuis, a 3-time Olympic gold medalist, set the world record at the age of 32. He relied solely on his personal strength but found shelter from the wind by skating in a dome-like windbreak contraption pulled by a car.
How Fast Did Connor McDavid Skate?
Connor McDavid allegedly reached a top speed of 25.4 mph (40.9 km/h) during a game against the Calgary Flames, though this remains somewhat unconfirmed. NHL Edge chip tracking technology only dates back to 2021, so it’s unclear whether these measurements by Sportsnet are entirely accurate.
Check out the clip below and decide for yourself whether it’s 25.4 mph or not:
Connor McDavid unofficial 25.4 mph top speed
25.4 mph certainly seems plausible for a player like McDavid. After all, he’s the only player ever to win the Fastest Skater Award at the NHL All-Star Games three years in a row.
Was Gretzky A Fast Skater?
Wayne Gretzky may not have been the fastest skater, but his ability to outmaneuver opponents was unmatched. His strategic positioning, keen hockey sense, and unparalleled vision allowed him to control the game’s tempo without relying on sheer speed.
Gretzky’s style wasn’t about blowing past opponents like Nathan MacKinnon but more about weaving through them with precision and control.
In the end, while Gretzky might not have been the Usain Bolt of the hockey rink, his finesse, agility, and strategic brilliance made him a force to be reckoned with. He didn’t need to be the fastest because his hands and mind were lightyears ahead of the competition.
