#5 Jaromir Jagr - Jagr was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins 5th overall in 1990 and went on to team up with Mario Lemieux and become one of the most feared duos in NHL history. With 1,599 career points Jagr sits second in career scoring at his position. His best year was in 1995-1996 when he scored 62 goals and recorded 149 points. Jaromir won the Art Ross as the leagues top scorer five times and won the Hart as league MVP in 1999. A nine time all star, Jagr played his career with three franchises the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitols and the New York Rangers. Playing in 169 career playoff games Jagr recorded 77 goals and 181 points, he won two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh. Along with great goaltending by Dominic Hasek, Jagr led his Czech Republic team to Olympic gold in 1998. There is no question that Jagr was one of the flashiest and most dynamic players of his generation and he belongs on this list.

#4 Mike Bossy – With the 15th overall choice in the 1977 NHL entry draft the New York Islanders selected Mike Bossy.  Bossy didn’t disappoint winning the Calder as top rookie in the league in 1978, recording 91 points in his first campaign. Bossy was part of the great Islanders dynasty, winning the Conn Smythe in 1982 as MVP of the playoffs. He recorded an amazing 160 points in only 129 career playoff games. Mikes career was cut short by injury and only played 752 regular season games, but he did record 1,126 points. Bossy never averaged less then a point a game in a single season, and quickly became one of the most consistent players in NHL history. In 10 NHL seasons Bossy recorded 100 plus points and 50 goals 7 times. If injuries hadn’t cut his years short Bossy way have been the best Right Winger of all time.

#3 Guy Lafleur – Lafleur was fast and dynamic every time he set foot on the ice. He was a legend at the famed Montreal Forum and a fan favorite all across the province of Quebec. Guy recorded six straight 100 points seasons between 1975 -1980 and was widely considered the best player in the league. 560 goals and 1,353 over his career that ranks him 5th among right wingers in NHL history. He led the league in scoring three times and won the Hart as league MVP twice in 1977 and 1978. While leading Montreal to the Cup, Guy won the Conn Smythe recording 26 points in just 14 games. Arguable his best season was in 1976-1977 when he scored 136 points while being an amazing plus 89. Lafleur was one of the, if not the best player of the 70’s and is easily one of the best right wingers in National Hockey League history.

#2 Maurice Richard - Guy Lafleur was a legend in Montreal, Maurice “The Rocket” Richard was God like. “The Rocket” was the definition of a sniper, he became the first NHL’er to ever score 50 goals in a single season in 1944-1945. Richard was a first team all star eight times and won the Hart Trophy in 1947. Maurice played in 13 straight all star games between 1947 and 1959 proving that he was one of the best players around. “The Rocket” was the first player to record 500 career goals, ending with 544 and retired as leagues top point getter with 965 points. He was also a tough player, not afraid to get into the mix, he had more then 100 penalty minutes in a single season five times. “The Rockets” numbers don’t look like that much compared to the numbers players are putting up today, but it was a different game in his generation. He was the best player in the original six era and he led Canadians to a lot of Stanley Cups.

#1 Gordie Howe - “Mr. Hockey”, Gordie Howe is a living hockey legend. He was the picture of longevity, he loved the game and played as long as he physically could. He played 25 seasons with the Detroit Red Wings between 1946 and 1971. He wasn’t done there he played six seasons in the WHA, and returned to the NHL along side his sons in the 1979-1980 season. Gordie played professional hockey in five decades, he completed this feat by dressing for one game with the Detroit Vipers (IHL) in 1997-1998. Howe retired from the NHL as the leader in both goals and points with 801 goals and 1,049 points. He led the league in scoring six times and was the MVP six times. In 1968-1969 Howe recorded 100 points for the first time, 44 goals and 59 assists and may have been his best season. Mr. Hockey was tough and not scared to get in a fight and throw his weight around. Interesting fact about Gordie is that he could use both hands and shoot both left and right handed. Gordie Howe represents hockey with great pride and passion and in many ways is the best thing to ever happen to the game, “Mr. Hockey” is a legend.

As stated earlier the right wing position is the deepest in all of hockey. Players like Brett Hull, Brendan Shanahan, Lanny McDonald and Mike Gartner could have easily made this list. The right wing position has hall of famers from all generations and eras. It is hard to compare the players from the 50’s to the players of today, but it is fun to look at. Whether it is Gordie Howe’s longevity or Jaromir Jagr’s pure talent these men are all NHL legends.

The Stanley Cup

The Stanley Cup is awarded to the champion of the NHL, Lord Stanley’s Cup is obviously the most important award the National Hockey League hands out.

The Hart Trophy

The Hart is the NHL’s version of the Most Valuable Player in the league. A little different then most professional sports leagues the award is for the player who is most valuable to his team. The original trophy was donated to the league in 1923, and can be found in Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Wayne Gretzky won eight straight Hart’s between 1980 – 1987, Sydney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin won it the last two years respectively.

The Vezina Trophy

This is the goalie trophy, handed out to the net minder who has been the best that season. The trophy is a memorial to great Canadians goalie George Vezina and has been awarded annually since 1927. Martin Brodeur has won the award four of the last five seasons and the great Patrick Roy won the trophy three times.

The Calder Trophy

The NHL’s best rookie is awarded the Calder Trophy at years end. The trophy is named after Frank Calder, a former president of the National Hockey League. A lot of NHL greats have won this award and over history a lot of Hall of Famers win the Calder in there first season. NHL greats Terry Sawchuk, Bobby Orr, Mike Bossy, Mario Lemieux and Peter Forsberg have all won the trophy. Last year Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane won the Calder.

The Jack Adams Trophy

The coach judged to be the best that season wins the Jack Adams award. Jack Adams the man was a coach and manager in the Red Wings organization and the trophy was donated by NHL broadcasters. A lot of great coaches have won this award including Don Cherry, Scotty Bowman and Pat Burns. Last year there was a surprise winner when Washington Capitols head coach Bruce Boudreau took home the award.

The Norris Trophy

Named for the late owner and president of the Detroit Red Wings James Norris. The award is handed out annually to the leagues top defenceman. In recent history the award had been dominated by future Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom who has won the award an amazing six of the last seven years. Bobby Orr won the trophy a record eight times and Ray Bourque won it five times.

The Art Ross Trophy

This trophy is not voted on, it is given to the player who records the most points in the season. Art Ross a manger with the Boston Bruins donated the trophy in 1947. Guy Lafleur won the award three straight years in the 1970’s, Wayne Gretzky won the award an amazing ten times and Jaromir Jagr won it five times. Along with the Hart Alex Ovechkin won the Art Ross last season.

The Selke Trophy

The best defensive forward in the NHL is awarded the Selke Trophy. The award is in honor of Frank Selke who managed great NHL championship teams. The first four times the trophy was handed out it was won by Montreal Canadiens great Bob Gainey who was an excellent defensive forward. In recent years the award has been won by players like Steve Yzerman in 2000, Michael Peca in 2002 and Pavel Datsyuk last season.

Lester B. Pearson Trophy

The trophy is named after former Prime Minister of Canada Lester B. Pearson, and has awarded since 1971. This is a special award to a lot of players because it is voted by the players themselves. The players vote who they think the most valuable player of the league is. Last year it was won by Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby won in 2007. Dominik Hasek won the award in back to back years in 1997 – 1998 and Phil Esposito won the first award in 1971.

There are plenty more awards the NHL hands out, Maurice Richard Trophy (top goal scorer), Conn Smythe Trophy (playoff MVP), Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanship), Masterton Memorial Trophy (dedication to hockey) and the Jennings Trophy (fewest goals against average).

Teams can also receive awards like the Presidents’ Trophy (top regular season team), Clarence Campbell Bowl (western conference winners) and the Prince of Wales Trophy (eastern conference champions).

You can find all these trophies displayed at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The National Hockey league does a great job honoring its players. The league celebrates its past and respects all the people who were involved in the game. These trophies are ingrained in the game and young players dream of winning some of these awards. Most of these awards have a lot of history some of which have been around since the 1920’s. To win an award and look at the engraved names and see NHL icons and your idols alike. The National Hockey League treats its players like true celebrities on award night which is truly unique to the league. To be a true hockey fan you need to respect the past, because without the greats of this game there would be no game. If you have a chance check out the Hockey Hall of Fame, you will find this game is full of great stories and emotions and you will not be disappointed.