Hockey players are usually known for being humble, team-first guys who answer every question with a cliché and a nod to the locker room. But not everyone in the NHL sticks to that playbook.
Some players walk into the rink like it’s a runway and act like the game revolves around them. Whether it was flashy behavior, non-stop self-promotion, or an extra dose of attitude, these guys made sure the spotlight was never far away.
20. Jeremy Roenick
Roenick never shied away from a camera or a mic, always ready with a hot take or a jab. He was as confident off the ice as he was on it, and sometimes even more so.
19. Evander Kane
Between the money phone pics and social media callouts, Kane always made it clear that subtlety wasn’t his style. Confidence? Sure. Humility? Not exactly his strong suit.
18. Sean Avery
Avery didn’t just want to beat you; he tried to chirp you into oblivion while doing it. He made himself the main character in a sport that usually avoids them.
17. Ilya Bryzgalov
He once called himself “humongous big” and talked more about the universe than goaltending. Bryzgalov’s interviews often felt like TED Talks, but if TED Talks had a goalie with a colossal ego,
16. Alexei Yashin
Yashin acted like the world owed him a thank-you card for showing up. He made big money and even bigger waves regarding contract drama.
15. P.K. Subban
Subban brought swagger to the blue line and never toned it down. He always ensured you noticed him, whether it was his suits, quotes, or goal celebrations.
14. Theo Fleury
He played with a massive chip on his shoulder and let everyone know. For Fleury, confidence bordered on cockiness on most nights.
13. Patrick Kane
Kane’s talent has never been questioned, but neither has his belief that he’s the best on the ice. That swagger showed up in his hands, his hand is attitude, and sometimes in ways that rubbed people the wrong way.
12. Ron Duguay
The flow, the fame, and the fashion—Duguay turned NHL games into his party. He was a star who knew it and ensured the world did too.
11. Artemi Panarin
Panarin embraces the spotlight like few others in today’s NHL. He’s not afraid to show off on or off the ice; you can tell he enjoys every second of it.
10. Phil Kessel
Kessel’s ego came out in quieter ways, like when he told the media exactly how little he cared about what they thought. Under the radar or not, the self-assured vibes were always there.
9. Alex Ovechkin
Ovi celebrates goals like he’s breaking the sound barrier. His confidence never dipped, even when critics doubted his playoff legacy.
8. Chris Pronger
Pronger played like he was in charge of every shift and acted like it. Intimidation was part of his game, and he knew how good he was.
7. Brett Hull
Hull had the shot, the stats, and the ego to match. He was never afraid to remind people how many goals he’d scored or how great he was.
6. John Tortorella
Okay, technically not a player, but you’d be hard-pressed to find someone with a bigger hockey ego. Torts turned every press conference into a personal power trip.
5. Brad Marchand
Marchand loves being hated almost as much as he loves scoring. He leans into the villain role with a confidence that’s nearly admirable.
4. Carey Price
He carried himself like a rockstar in a goalie’s mask, and his calm swagger said more than words ever could. There was always a “don’t you know who I am?” vibe to him, even when he barely spoke.
3. Jeremy Swayman
He’s newer to the list, but Swayman’s energy is already top-tier ego material. He celebrates like he’s won the Cup every game and owns his crease like a king.
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2. Connor Bedard
Even early in his career, Bedard radiates that “next big thing” confidence. It’s not arrogance yet—but you can tell it’s warming up in the bullpen.
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1. Wayne Gretzky
Yes, The Great One. When you’re the best, do it, and you know it. The ego doesn’t have to say anything—it just walks into the room first.
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