The National Hockey League has announced the second set of players selected for its special Quarter-Century Team, a roster highlighting standout individuals from the past 25 years. This latest reveal features several of the sport`s most prominent figures.
Joining the esteemed team are Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin, Patrice Bergeron, Evgeni Malkin, Pavel Datsyuk, Patrick Kane, and Steven Stamkos. These distinguished players all commenced their NHL careers between the years 2000 and 2010.
Sidney Crosby is frequently cited as the defining player of the last quarter-century. The 37-year-old center has amassed an extraordinary list of achievements, including three Stanley Cups, two Hart Trophies, two Art Ross Trophies, three Ted Lindsay Awards, two `Rocket` Richard Trophies, and two Conn Smythe Trophies.
The player from Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, also holds the record for the most points in the NHL since 2000, totaling 1,687 (625 goals, 1,062 assists) across 1,352 games in his impressive 20-year career.
Any discussion of the 2000s hockey landscape would be incomplete without mentioning Alexander Ovechkin, who recently claimed the NHL`s all-time scoring title, surpassing Wayne Gretzky with his 895th and subsequent goals. Since being drafted first overall in 2004, “The Great Eight” has accumulated 1,623 points (897 goals, 726 assists), ranking second only to Crosby among players active since 2000.
Beyond his remarkable goal-scoring statistics, Ovechkin`s accomplishments include a Stanley Cup victory in 2018, three Hart Trophies, three Ted Lindsay Awards, a Calder Memorial Trophy, a Conn Smythe Trophy, and a record nine `Rocket` Richard Trophies.
Evgeni Malkin, a fellow Pittsburgh Penguin alongside Crosby, was a vital component of their three Stanley Cup championships during the last 25 years. The formidable Russian forward has recorded 1,346 points (514 goals, 832 assists) over his 19-year tenure. His individual honours include a Calder Trophy, two Art Ross Trophies, a Conn Smythe Trophy, a Hart Trophy, and a Ted Lindsay Award.
Pavel Datsyuk, the only current member of this group already enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame (inducted in 2024), was renowned for his exceptional skill and played a key role in the Detroit Red Wings` success in the 2000s. Known as the “Magic Man,” he registered 918 points (314 goals, 604 assists) in 953 games for Detroit, winning two Stanley Cups, four Lady Byng Trophies, and three Selke Trophies.
Patrice Bergeron established himself as arguably the premier two-way forward of this era, highlighted by an unprecedented six Selke Trophy wins. He was instrumental in guiding the Boston Bruins to the Stanley Cup in 2011, ending their 39-year drought, and concluded his 19-year Boston career with 1,040 points.
Patrick Kane is considered among the greatest American players in history. He led the Chicago Blackhawks to a dominant period in the 2010s, securing three Stanley Cups and earning a Hart Trophy. The native of Buffalo, New York, ranks third in points among American players with 1,343 (492 goals, 851 assists).
Steven Stamkos, the youngest player in this latest group, entered the league in the 2008-09 season as the first overall selection by the Tampa Bay Lightning. He captained the team to consecutive Stanley Cup championships in 2020 and 2021 and has claimed the `Rocket` Richard Trophy twice (2010, 2012).
The NHL Quarter-Century Team is composed of the top 25 players from the 2000-2025 period, as voted by hockey fans. The complete team roster is being revealed in batches.
Tristan Blackwood