By Hockey is a sport mainly for tall players and for an individual aiming to be an NHL player, the average height should be over 6 ft 1 in. However, some players were an exception because of their remarkable talent and performance on the ice court. So today we will discuss the top 10 shortest NHL players of all time.
1. Roy “Shrimp” Worters
Born: October 19th, 1900
Died: November 7th, 1957 (aged 57)
Height: 5 ft 3 in (160 cm)
Position: Goaltender
Team(s): New York Americans, Montreal Canadiens, and Pittsburgh Pirates
Famously known as Roy “Shrimp” Worters for his size, he was a Canadian pro hockey goaltender and a Hall of Famer who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 12 seasons for three different teams. In his career, he recorded sixty-six shutouts. Standing at just 5 ft 3, Worters was the shortest NHL player of all time.
2. Nathan Gerbe
Born: July 24th, 1987 (age 35)
Height: 5 ft 4 in (163 cm)
Position: Center
Team(s): Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Genève-Servette HC, and Columbus Blue Jackets
Nathan Gerbe is a retired American professional ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Buffalo Sabres. He was also a part of the Genève-Servette HC of the National League (NL). At 5 ft 4, he is considered the shortest hockey player in the history of the NHL and secured the 2nd spot for the shortest player in the NHL history just behind Roy Worters.
3. Theo Fleury
Born: June 29, 1968 (age 54)
Height: 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
Position: Right-wing
Team(s): Calgary Flames, Tappara, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, Chicago Blackhawks, and Belfast Giants
Theo Fleury is a Canadian former pro ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, and Chicago Blackhawks. At 5 ft 6, Fleury is considered one of the shortest players of his time.
4. Darren Pang
Born: February 17, 1964 (age 58)
Height: 5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Position: Goaltender
Team(s): Chicago Blackhawks
Darren Pang is a Canadian retired pro ice hockey goaltender who played his entire career with the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League between 1984 to 1989. Standing at 5 ft 5 tall, he is considered one of the shortest NHL players of all time.
5. Robbie Moore
Born: May 3, 1954
Died: January 7, 2022 (aged 67)
Height: 5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Position: Goaltender
Team(s): Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals
Robbie Moore was a Canadian pro ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals. Moore, who stands at 5 ft 5 is regarded as one of the smallest hockey goaltenders in the history of the NHL.
6. Lorne “Gump” Worsley
Born: May 14, 1929
Died: January 26, 2007 (aged 77)
Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Position: Goaltender
Team(s): New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, and Minnesota North Stars
Lorne Worsley was a Canadian pro ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, and Minnesota North Stars. His friends gave him the nickname “Gump” because he looked like the popular comic character Andy Gump.
7. Yvan Cournoyer
Born: November 22, 1943 (age 79)
Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Position: Right-wing
Team(s): Montreal Canadiens
Nicknamed “The Roadrunner” because of his tiny size, Yvan Cournoyer played his entire NHL career for the Montreal Canadiens as a right winger.
8. Henri Richard
Born: February 29, 1936
Died: March 6, 2020 (aged 84)
Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Position: Centre
Team(s): Montreal Canadiens
Henri Richard was declared amongst the ‘100 Greatest NHL players in history and also one of the shortest players in the league. He played his entire NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens from 1955 to 1975.
9. Brian Gionta
Born: January 18, 1979 (age 44)
Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Position: Right-wing
Team(s): New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, and Boston Bruins
Brian Gionta is an American retired ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, and Boston Bruins. Despite being small in size, Gionta had an established career.
10. Alex Debrincat
Born: December 18, 1997 (age 25)
Height: 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Position: Right wing / Left wing
Team(s): Ottawa Senators and Chicago Blackhawks
Alex DeBrincat is an American pro ice hockey player who plays as a right and left winger in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Ottawa Senators. At just 5 ft 7, he is considered one of the shortest active players in the NHL.
