Rich List
The Richest Hockey Players in the World (2026): Ranked by Net Worth
The richest hockey player is Mario Lemieux, worth an estimated $300 million, narrowly ahead of Wayne Gretzky at about $250 million. Lemieux turned deferred salary into an ownership stake in the Pittsburgh Penguins, and that equity, not his on-ice earnings, is what made him the wealthiest figure the sport has produced.
The pattern holds across this ranking: playing contracts get these athletes started, but the biggest fortunes are built after the final whistle through team ownership, endorsements, winery and restaurant ventures, and smart real estate. Each name below links to a full profile and biography with career earnings, business interests, and how the money adds up.
Ranked by Net Worth
| # | Name | Net Worth |
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0 profiles · figures are estimates from public sources · more added regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the richest hockey player?+
The richest hockey player is Mario Lemieux, with a net worth of about $300 million. Most of that fortune came from his ownership stake in the Pittsburgh Penguins rather than his playing salary.
Is Wayne Gretzky richer than Mario Lemieux?+
No. Wayne Gretzky is worth roughly $250 million, which places him second. Lemieux edges ahead at about $300 million thanks to the equity he built as a Penguins owner.
How do hockey players build their net worth?+
NHL salaries are the foundation, but the largest fortunes come from what players do next: team ownership, endorsements, real estate, and businesses such as Gretzky's winery and distillery.
Which active NHL player is the richest?+
Among current players, stars like Alexander Ovechkin, Sidney Crosby, and Connor McDavid lead the way, each backed by long-term contracts and endorsement deals. See the ranked table above for their latest figures.