In the NHL, a fast start can make a player look like the next Gretzky—until the grind of the league humbles them fast. Some guys dominate right out of the gate, only to disappear from the spotlight just as quickly.
Whether it was injuries, inconsistency, or the league just catching up to them, these players had their moment way too soon. Here are 10 NHL stars who peaked early and left fans wondering what happened.
10. Rob Schremp
Schremp had hands for days and tore up junior hockey like a cheat code. But he never found consistent footing in the NHL and bounced around before heading overseas.
9. Alex Daigle
The ultimate cautionary tale, Daigle was the first overall pick and had the marketing hype of a franchise savior. He famously said he was in it for the money—and unfortunately, his play kind of backed that up.
8. Gilbert Brulé
Brulé was a top-10 pick and looked like he was built for the modern game. Injuries and confidence issues derailed his momentum before he ever really took off.
7. Marek Svatos
Svatos had a breakout rookie season and looked like a steal for the Avalanche. But injuries piled up fast, and his production never reached that early peak again.
6. Jonathan Cheechoo
Cheechoo won the Rocket Richard Trophy with 56 goals in 2006 and became a legend overnight. He never hit 40 again and was out of the league a few years later.
5. Andrew Raycroft
Raycroft won the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year and looked like Boston’s goalie of the future. But his numbers nosedived, and he became a journeyman almost immediately.
4. Jim Carey
Not that Jim Carrey—this one won the Vezina Trophy in just his second season. Within three years, he was out of the league entirely, and his career remains one of the strangest flameouts ever.
3. Jordan Schroeder
Schroeder was a first-round pick with tons of upside and early hype. But he never carved out more than a bottom-six role and became a classic case of “too much, too soon.”
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2. Fabian Brunnstrom
Brunnstrom signed with Dallas amid a huge bidding war and scored a hat trick in his debut. That was pretty much the highlight of his NHL career.
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1. Sergei Samsonov
Samsonov won the Calder Trophy in 1998 and looked like a future star with his flashy, shifty game. He had a solid career, but never reached the heights many expected after that electric rookie year.
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