Can You Identify These Hockey Players from a Photo of Their Buzzer Beater?

Kennita Leon

Image: Youtube via NHL

About This Quiz

A great hockey game is always fun to witness. But what about those rare moments when players make the deciding shot as the buzzer is about to sound? Thrilling, right? You already know that we HowStuffWorks writers can be inspired by just about anything, so in the spirit of that, we want to test just how much of a hockey fan you are by seeing if you can identify the player by his buzzer beater. 

Now, there are many things that could clue you into who the player is; all you need to do is to take in the tiniest of details. For instance, the color of his uniform will tell you his team and the number on the shirt (if shown) will tell you his name. His posture while hitting the puck can say a lot, as does the player's stature, helmet and even hockey stick.  We're also adding in hints that'll help you guess the player's name if you get stuck. 

Now you may be wondering why we're being so helpful. It's because this quiz won't be easy and because this should only be attempted by those who are true fans of the sport. So if you're one of these people and you know your hockey greats, come identify them by their buzzer beaters. 

Which hockey all-star is this?

Wayne Gretzky, nicknamed "The Great One," is a Canadian former ice hockey center who is widely regarded by many as "the greatest hockey player ever."

Can you name this player?

Jaromír Jágr is a Czech professional hockey player who currently holds the record for the second most points scored in NHL history.

Is this Mark Messier?

Mark Messier, who is considered to be one of the greatest NHL players of all time, is a six-time Stanley Cup champion and a 15-time NHL all-star.

Which hockey player is this?

Gordie Howe was a Canadian professional hockey player who, as of 2017, was listed as one of "100 Greatest Hockey Players".

True or false: Is this Ron Francis?

In 2004, Ron Francis ended his professional hockey career with a number of records including the second all-time in career assists.

Which player do you see here?

Marcel Dionne, who retired after playing 18 seasons, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1992.

What's this player's name?

Steve Yzerman is one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" and is currently ranked as the seventh all-time leading scorer in NHL history.

Who is this?

Mario Lemieux is a former player and current owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins who played from 1984 to 1997 and from 2000 to 2006.

Is this Joe Sakic or Tom Horn Jr.?

Joe Sakic, who played for 21 years, was a player for the Quebec Nordiques and the Colorado Avalanche.

Which hockey great's buzzer beater is this?

Phil Esposito, the older brother of Tony Esposito, is a former player and head coach for the New York Rangers.

Which hockey all-star is this?

Former ice hockey player Mark Recchi is a three-time Stanley Cup winner which he won with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Carolina Hurricanes and the Boston Bruins.

Can you name this player?

Paul Coffey, who played for nine teams throughout his career, is a retired ice hockey defenseman who is known for his speed and prowess.

Is this Butch Cassidy?

Slovak-born Canadian Stan Mikita is a former ice hockey player who is considered to be one of the best centers of the 1960s.

Which hockey player is this?

Teemu Selänne, also known as "The Finnish Flash," is a retired Finnish ice hockey winger who played for 21 seasons from 1989 to 2014.

True or false: This is Sam Bass.

Joe Thornton, nicknamed "Jumbo Joe," is a professional ice hockey player who currently serves as an alternate captain for the San Jose Sharks.

Which player do you see here?

Bryan Trottier, a retired ice hockey center, is a four-time Stanley Cup winner who played for the New York Islanders and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

What's this player's name?

Adam Oates is a former ice hockey player who spent his 19-year career with seven teams including the Detroit Red Wings and the Boston Bruins.

Who is this?

Former ice hockey player Doug Gilmour is a two-time All-Star and a member of the 1987 Canada Cup championship team.

Is this Wyatt Earp or Ray Bourque?

Ray Bourque is former ice hockey defenceman who currently holds the record for the most points, assists and career goals earned by a defenseman.

Which hockey great's buzzer beater is this?

Dale Hawerchuk, who played for 16 seasons, is the current head coach for the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Which hockey all-star is this?

Jari Kurri is a former Finnish ice hockey right winger and the current manager of the Finnish team, Jokerit.

Can you name this player?

Luc Robitaille is a retired ice hockey left winger who played for the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins during his 19-season NHL career.

Is this Brett Hull?

Former ice hockey right winger Brett Hull ended his 19-year career in 2005 with a total of 741 goals, ranking him at number four in NHL history.

Which hockey player is this?

Mike Modano is a former hockey player who currently holds the highest all-time goal-scoring and points leader among Americans.

True or false: This is Johnny Bucyk.

Johnny Bucyk is a retired Ukrainian-Canadian ice hockey left winger whose NHL career spanned for 23 seasons from 1955 to 1978.

Which player do you see here?

Retired left winger Brendan Shanahan is the only ice hockey player to score over 600 goals and 2,000 penalty minutes.

What's this player's name?

Guy Lefleur, nicknamed "The Flower" and "Le Démon Blond," is a former ice hockey right winger whose NHL career spanned for 17 seasons.

Who is this?

Mats Sundin is a retired Swedish ice hockey player who spent much of his 20-year NHL career with the Quebec Nordiques.

Is this Robert Ford or Dave Andreychuk?

Former ice hockey player Dave Andreychuk is one of the highest scoring left wingers in NHL history.

Which hockey great's buzzer beater is this?

Retired hockey player Denis Savard is a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame as well as one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" in history.

Which hockey all-star is this?

Mike Gartner is a former ice hockey right winger who played for six NHL teams throughout his 19-season career.

Can you name this player?

Gilbert Perreault is a former hockey player who is considered to be one of the best centers due to his ability to stickhandle in close quarters.

Is this Alex Delvecchio?

Alex Delvecchio is a retired center/left winger who spent his entire 24-season NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings.

Which hockey player is this?

Jarome Iginla, a six-time NHL All-Star, is one of seven players to attain 30 goals in 11 consecutive seasons and one of 20 to score over 600 goals.

True or false: This is Al MacInnis.

Al MacInnis is a retired defenseman who was forced to end his 23-season career in 2003 due to an eye injury.

Which player do you see here?

Jean Ratelle, a Hockey Hall of Famer, spent his 21-season career playing for the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins.

What's this player's name?

Peter Šťastný, nicknamed "Peter the Great" and "Stosh," is a former ice hockey center who is the second highest scorer of the 1980s.

Who is this?

Phil Housley is a former ice hockey defenseman who currently serves as the head coach for the NHL Buffalo Sabres.

Is this Norm Ullman or Joshua Webb?

Norm Ullman is a retired ice hockey forward who spent his 22-season career playing for the Detroit Red Wings, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers.

Which hockey great's buzzer beater is this?

Jean Béliveau was a professional ice hockey center and Hockey Hall of Famer who is considered to be one of the ten greatest NHL players.

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