Can You Recognize These Famous NHL Players from Their Smiles?

By: J.P. Naomi
Image: Veronica Varos / Moment / Getty Images

About This Quiz

Did you know that the average hockey player loses several teeth throughout his career? Well, look no further than the NHL for some of the greatest examples! It's time to see how well you recognize these smiles with a few, or shall we say a lot of, missing teeth! 

Whether it'a puck, a stick, a fall to the ice or a check into the boards, NHL players know fully well how easy it can be to lose teeth on the job. But boy, do they love their jobs! Could we venture to say that the team dentists love their jobs even more? Though it wasn't always the case, today's teams have actually installed dental chairs in their arenas! They have dentists on hand at each game, but avoiding a trip to them? Well, that's another story! You see, players have the choice to wear helmets with varying degrees of facial protection. The less protection? You got it...the more teeth they'll lose!

So what do you say, are you ready to "grin and bear it"? Will you make your way out of the arena unscathed, or will you score a front row seat in the dentist's chair? Good luck and remember to keep your eye on the puck!

Did you know that Gordie Howe was nicknamed "Mr. Hockey"? He played a record 26 seasons in the NHL and was the inaugural recipient of the NHL Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008.

Standing 6 feet 3 inches tall, Shean Donovan was a right wing who played for seven different teams throughout his career. His beautiful new smile comes after playing 951 games in the NHL.

Craig Berube played in the NHL from 1986 to 2004. Not even losing several teeth could keep him away though. He later became the head coach of the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League!

Known as Ovi, and the Great Eight, Alex Ovechkin is considered one of the greatest current players in the NHL. Born in Russia, he was selected as the 1st overall pick in the 2004 draft by the Washington Capitals.

John Erskine's smile is attributed to his 14-year career in the NHL. He was drafted 29th overall in the 1998 NHL Draft, selected by the Dallas Stars.

Bobby Clarke may just have one of the most iconic smiles of NHL history! A 15-year veteran of the league, he now serves as an executive with the Philadelphia Flyers.

Teemu Selanne was nicknamed "The Finnish Flash" and had a 21-season career in the NHL. His number 8 jersey was retired by the Anaheim Ducks in 2015.

Did you know that Dany Heatley won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002? During his 15 years in the league, he earned the nickname "Heater" because of his name and ability to score.

Born in Edmonton, Alberta in 1961, Mark Messier played 25 seasons in the NHL. He is considered one of the greatest players of all time and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007.

At just 5 feet, 8 inches tall, Chris Conner has been a winger in the NHL since 2006. He has played for five different teams and is currently a member of the Washington Capitals.

Keith Tkachuk played in the NHL for 19 years. He spent his career with the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues and Atlanta Thrashers, and retired in 2010.

Did you know that Doug Risebrough was the 7th overall pick in the 1974 NHL Draft? He played in the league from 1974 to 1987, later becoming a coach and general manager as well!

Did you know that Theoren Fleury was just 5 feet 6 inches tall?! As a right wing, he played more than 1,000 games in the NHL between 1989 and 2003 with four different teams.

Did you know that Bobby Hull was nicknamed "The Golden Jet"? He had the ability to shoot the puck at very high speeds across the ice, which he did for 23 years!

At the age of 27, Ryan O'Reilly currently plays center for the St. Louis Blues. He was drafted 33rd overall in the 2009 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche.

Born in Alberta, Canada, Jay Rosehill currently plays for the Manchester Storm within the Elite Ice Hockey League. He was originally selected by the Tampa Bay Lighting in the 2003 NHL Draft. He is highly regarded as an enforcer in the league!

Bryan Bickell is a retired NHL left wing who played in the league from 2006 to 2017. He was unfortunately diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and left the sport to focus on his health.

Stan Mikita was born Stanislav Gvoth in the Slovak Republic. He is regarded as the best center of the 1960s and one of the greatest NHL players of all time... and he has (no) teeth to show for it!

Did you know Duncan Keith was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players in history in 2017? In 2002, he was drafted by, and still plays, with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Mike Ricci played 16 seasons as a center in the NHL. He played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks and Phoenix Coyotes between 1990 and 2007.

Brent Burns is a defenseman who currently plays for the San Jose Sharks and shoots right. Did you know that he was the 20th overall pick of the 2003 NHL Draft?

Wesley Cody McLeod was born in Manitoba, Canada, and is currently a left winger for the New York Rangers. He has also played for the Colorado Avalanche and the Nashville Predators.

Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall, Drew Doughty plays defense in the NHL. He was selected 2nd overall in the 2008 draft by the Los Angeles Kings who he still plays with today!

John Tavares was selected 1st overall by the New York Islanders in the 2009 NHL Draft. Did you know he went on to serve as captain for the Islanders for five seasons after that? Today he plays with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

All Zack Stortini wants for Christmas is his two front teeth! It's no wonder he is missing them; he is known for his physical prowess on the ice and is known as an enforcer.

Paul Stastny was born on December 27, 1985 in Quebec City. Like many for many players, hockey is in his blood. His father is a Hockey Hall of Famer Peter Stastny.

Claude Giroux was drafted 22nd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2006. He has played with them ever since, even being named team captain on January 13, 2013.

Alex Burrows played left wing for the Ottawa Senators and Vancouver Canucks between 2002 and 2018. He is remembered on the ice as being an 'agitator'... which could explain his dental situation!

Patrick Wellar was selected by the Washington Capitals in the 3rd round of the 2002 NHL Draft. Did you know that he is a forward who shoots left?

Did you know that Chris Neil played 17 seasons in the NHL? Not bad for a player selected in the 6th round of the draft!

Dustin Brown was selected 13th overall by the LA Kings in the 2003 NHL Draft. He is known for his physical playing style and is an NHL leader in hits and penalties!

Did you know that Sean Couturier received three awards in 2018? They were the Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy, the Yanick Dupre Class Guy Memorial Award, and the Gene Hart Memorial Award!

Did you know that Ken Daneyko played his entire 20-year career with the New Jersey Devils? What's more is that he is ranked number 22 of NHL players who have the most career penalty minutes!

Jon Sim played in the NHL for 16 seasons with 8 different teams! He helped the Dallas Stars win the Stanley Cup in 1999.

Drafted 42nd overall by the Vancouver Canucks, Dave Scatchard played in the NHL from 1996 to 2011. Unfortunately, his career was ended rather quickly when doctors told him it would not be safe to continue playing - he had concussion-related injuries.

Born in Nova Scotia, Colin White played 15 seasons in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks. He is remembered for being a physical and defensive player, often leading his team in penalty minutes!

A left wing, Matt Cooke played 16 seasons and a total of 1,046 games during his NHL career. He played for the Canucks, Capitals, Penguins and Wild.

Daniel Carcillo was known as somewhat of a reckless player on the ice, at one point earning himself the nickname "Car Bomb." Upon his retirement from the NHL, he started a non-profit that helps former NHL-players who suffer from post-concussion syndrome and mental health issues.

Dustin Byfuglien was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2005 and currently plays for the Winnipeg Jets. He is a defenseman who once clocked a slap shot at 102.5 miles per hour!

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