10 NHL Records You Won't Believe

The average NHL playing career lasts five and a half years, so it’s an impressive feat when a player is able to compete in the league for ten or more years. Some players, however, scoff at the notion of retirement unless they’ve played in the NHL for a quarter of a century or more.

Two players co-hold the record for most seasons played at twenty-six: Gordie Howe and Chris Chelios. While Howe enjoyed a truly magnificent career, and holds the record for most games played, this listing will focus on Chelios. This is because Chris Chelios was able to play in the modern era, which is more competitive than when Gordie Howe played. Furthermore, Chelios lost a season to the lockout in 2004-05, meaning he would hold the record if not for that.

With a playing career lasting from 1983-2010, Chelios played for a total of four teams throughout his long tenure: the Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, and briefly for the Atlanta Thrashers. Drafted fortieth overall in 1981, Chelios currently holds the record for most games played in the NHL by a defenseman and the most by an American, playing in 1,654 total games.

Going back to the average NHL playing career, it can be determined that, with twenty- six seasons under his belt, Chelios played through 4.7 average NHL careers. His 2013 induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame was well deserved.