CHL unveils top 50 players for 50th anniversary, including Gretzky, Crosby, Bedard

Wayne Gretzky (left) of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first period of Sunday's Campbell Conference playoff game four at the Forum in Inglewood, on May 23, 1993. The goal tied Gretzky with Gordie Howe for most combined regular season and playoff career goals. Teammate Pat Conacher (right) celebrates as Toronto's Mark Osborne (21) and Bob Rouse (3) stand in the goal. (AP Photo/Hans Deryk)

The Canadian Hockey League has unveiled its top 50 players to commemorate its 50th anniversary.

The list spans multiple eras, featuring Wayne Gretzky and Patrick Roy alongside Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid and Connor Bedard.

Thirty-one of the 50 players are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, while 34 of them have won at least one Stanley Cup. Twelve of the players were named CHL player of the year during their junior careers.

There are 11 players from the list currently active in the NHL: Crosby, McDavid, John Tavares, Nathan MacKinnon, Corey Perry, Patrick Kane, Bedard, Drew Doughty, Steven Stamkos, Leon Draisaitl and Taylor Hall.

The list is unranked for now. The CHL opened a fan vote on its website Tuesday that runs through March 10.

Fans are being asked to submit their Top 10 from the Top 50 list, which will help inform the league’s final ranking, set to be revealed later this spring.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 10, 2026.