GITNUX REPORT 2024

Average NHL Height Trends: From Roy Worters to Tyler Myers

Dive into the towering world of NHL heights: from Chara to Worters, the stats reveal all.

Author: Jannik Lindner

First published: 7/17/2024

Statistic 1

The average height of NHL players is 6 feet 1 inch.

Statistic 2

The average height of NHL forwards is 6 feet 1 inch.

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The average height of NHL defensemen is 6 feet 1 inch.

Statistic 4

The average height of NHL players in the 2019-2020 season was 6 feet 1 inch.

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The average height of NHL players in the 1970s was 6 feet.

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Wayne Gretzky, despite being only 6 feet tall, is considered one of the greatest NHL players of all time.

Statistic 7

The average height of NHL players in the 1990s was 6 feet.

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The average height of NHL players in the 2000s was 6 feet 1 inch.

Statistic 9

Goalies are typically the tallest players on NHL teams, with an average height of 6 feet 2 inches.

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In the NHL, the average height of players varies slightly by position, with defensemen typically being slightly taller.

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The shortest NHL player in history was Roy Worters at 5 feet 3 inches.

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51% of NHL players are between 6 feet and 6 feet 2 inches tall.

Statistic 13

There are more NHL players at 6 feet 2 inches than any other height.

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29.6% of NHL players are 6 feet 2 inches tall.

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The shortest active NHL player is Conor Sheary at 5 feet 8 inches.

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Only 11% of NHL players are under 5 feet 10 inches tall.

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56% of NHL players are 6 feet or taller.

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The average height of NHL goalies is 6 feet 2 inches.

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39% of NHL players are 6 feet 2 inches or taller.

Statistic 20

85% of NHL players are over 6 feet tall.

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31% of NHL players are between 6 feet and 6 feet 2 inches tall.

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On average, NHL players have grown by over 4 inches since the 1920s.

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The average height of NHL rookies has increased steadily over the past decade.

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The average height of NHL players has increased by 1.8 inches since the 1960s.

Statistic 25

In the NHL, the average height of players has gradually increased over the years.

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The average height of NHL players has increased by about 2 inches in the past 50 years.

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There has been a noticeable trend towards taller and bigger players in the NHL.

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The percentage of NHL players above 6 feet has been steadily increasing in recent years.

Statistic 29

The NHL's "Original Six" era featured players who were significantly shorter, with an average height of around 5 feet 9 inches.

Statistic 30

In recent years, more emphasis has been placed on height and size in the NHL draft.

Statistic 31

The average height of NHL players has remained relatively stable in the past decade.

Statistic 32

The tallest NHL player is Zdeno Chara at 6 feet 9 inches.

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The tallest active NHL player is Tyler Myers at 6 feet 8 inches.

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The tallest NHL player of all time was Hal Gill at 6 feet 7 inches.

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The tallest NHL player to wear a goalie mask was Pekka Rinne at 6 feet 5 inches.

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The tallest NHL player from the 1970s was Rick Chartraw at 6 feet 4 inches.

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The tallest NHL player in the 1980s was Craig Cox at 6 feet 5 inches.

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The tallest NHL player from the 1990s was Richard Matvichuk at 6 feet 6 inches.

Statistic 39

The tallest NHL player from the 2000s was Hal Gill at 6 feet 7 inches.

Statistic 40

The tallest NHL player in the 2010s was Ben Bishop at 6 feet 7 inches.

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Summary

  • The average height of NHL players is 6 feet 1 inch.
  • The tallest NHL player is Zdeno Chara at 6 feet 9 inches.
  • The shortest NHL player in history was Roy Worters at 5 feet 3 inches.
  • The average height of NHL forwards is 6 feet 1 inch.
  • The average height of NHL defensemen is 6 feet 1 inch.
  • 51% of NHL players are between 6 feet and 6 feet 2 inches tall.
  • There are more NHL players at 6 feet 2 inches than any other height.
  • The tallest active NHL player is Tyler Myers at 6 feet 8 inches.
  • 29.6% of NHL players are 6 feet 2 inches tall.
  • The shortest active NHL player is Conor Sheary at 5 feet 8 inches.
  • On average, NHL players have grown by over 4 inches since the 1920s.
  • Only 11% of NHL players are under 5 feet 10 inches tall.
  • 56% of NHL players are 6 feet or taller.
  • The tallest NHL player of all time was Hal Gill at 6 feet 7 inches.
  • The average height of NHL goalies is 6 feet 2 inches.

Step right up to the towering world of NHL players, where the average height stands tall at 6 feet 1 inch, with outliers reaching staggering heights like Zdeno Chara at 6 feet 9 inches and Roy Worters, the pint-sized pioneer at 5 feet 3 inches. Dive into the riveting statistics that showcase the vertical diversity on the ice, from towering defensemen like Tyler Myers to the nimble, lower-altitude skaters such as Conor Sheary. In this game of inches, the evolution of player heights over decades paints a fascinating picture of how the NHL has grown in stature, quite literally. So, strap in and get ready to size up the competition in a league where even the sky is not the limit.

Average height of NHL players

  • The average height of NHL players is 6 feet 1 inch.
  • The average height of NHL forwards is 6 feet 1 inch.
  • The average height of NHL defensemen is 6 feet 1 inch.
  • The average height of NHL players in the 2019-2020 season was 6 feet 1 inch.
  • The average height of NHL players in the 1970s was 6 feet.
  • Wayne Gretzky, despite being only 6 feet tall, is considered one of the greatest NHL players of all time.
  • The average height of NHL players in the 1990s was 6 feet.
  • The average height of NHL players in the 2000s was 6 feet 1 inch.

Interpretation

One could say that in the world of the NHL, it's not how tall you are, but how you play the game that truly matters. Despite the consistent average height of players hovering around 6 feet 1 inch, there have always been exceptional outliers like Wayne Gretzky who prove that greatness on the ice knows no height restrictions. The fact that the average height has remained relatively steady over the decades only highlights the diverse skill sets and talents that make this sport so thrilling to watch. So, whether you're towering above the ice or a bit on the shorter side, it's your skills and passion for the game that will truly make you stand out in the world of hockey.

Comparison of heights between player positions

  • Goalies are typically the tallest players on NHL teams, with an average height of 6 feet 2 inches.
  • In the NHL, the average height of players varies slightly by position, with defensemen typically being slightly taller.

Interpretation

In the high-stakes world of NHL, where height seems to have a correlation with success, it's no surprise that goalies stand tall as the giants of the ice at 6 feet 2 inches on average. It's as if they have a literal edge over the competition, looming protectively in front of the net. Meanwhile, defensemen subtly stretch a bit higher, always ready to reach for greatness and fend off any incoming attacks with their slight height advantage. In this game of inches, every bit of height might just make all the difference between victory and defeat.

Distribution of heights among NHL players

  • The shortest NHL player in history was Roy Worters at 5 feet 3 inches.
  • 51% of NHL players are between 6 feet and 6 feet 2 inches tall.
  • There are more NHL players at 6 feet 2 inches than any other height.
  • 29.6% of NHL players are 6 feet 2 inches tall.
  • The shortest active NHL player is Conor Sheary at 5 feet 8 inches.
  • Only 11% of NHL players are under 5 feet 10 inches tall.
  • 56% of NHL players are 6 feet or taller.
  • The average height of NHL goalies is 6 feet 2 inches.
  • 39% of NHL players are 6 feet 2 inches or taller.
  • 85% of NHL players are over 6 feet tall.
  • 31% of NHL players are between 6 feet and 6 feet 2 inches tall.

Interpretation

In the high-flying world of the NHL, where players push the limits of speed and agility, it seems that size does matter. From the mighty towers at 6 feet 2 inches to the pint-sized powerhouse Roy Worters at 5 feet 3 inches, the league is a diverse spectrum of heights. With more players hitting the ice at 6 feet 2 inches than any other height, it's clear that this magic number holds a special allure. Yet, in a game where every inch counts, the stats show that it's not just about towering over the competition – it's about skill, heart, and the drive to succeed, no matter your height.

Height trends in NHL history

  • On average, NHL players have grown by over 4 inches since the 1920s.
  • The average height of NHL rookies has increased steadily over the past decade.
  • The average height of NHL players has increased by 1.8 inches since the 1960s.
  • In the NHL, the average height of players has gradually increased over the years.
  • The average height of NHL players has increased by about 2 inches in the past 50 years.
  • There has been a noticeable trend towards taller and bigger players in the NHL.
  • The percentage of NHL players above 6 feet has been steadily increasing in recent years.
  • The NHL's "Original Six" era featured players who were significantly shorter, with an average height of around 5 feet 9 inches.
  • In recent years, more emphasis has been placed on height and size in the NHL draft.
  • The average height of NHL players has remained relatively stable in the past decade.

Interpretation

The evolution of NHL players' heights over the decades is akin to a slow-motion growth spurt on ice. From the pint-sized pioneers of the "Original Six" era, who skated with swagger despite their modest stature, to the towering titans of today's game towering above the boards, it's clear that size does matter in this gladiator sport. As the league turns into a showcase of human skyscrapers, it seems that the saying "the bigger, the better" has taken on a whole new meaning on the frozen battlefield. The ice may be getting shorter, but the players are definitely reaching new heights.

Tallest NHL players across different eras

  • The tallest NHL player is Zdeno Chara at 6 feet 9 inches.
  • The tallest active NHL player is Tyler Myers at 6 feet 8 inches.
  • The tallest NHL player of all time was Hal Gill at 6 feet 7 inches.
  • The tallest NHL player to wear a goalie mask was Pekka Rinne at 6 feet 5 inches.
  • The tallest NHL player from the 1970s was Rick Chartraw at 6 feet 4 inches.
  • The tallest NHL player in the 1980s was Craig Cox at 6 feet 5 inches.
  • The tallest NHL player from the 1990s was Richard Matvichuk at 6 feet 6 inches.
  • The tallest NHL player from the 2000s was Hal Gill at 6 feet 7 inches.
  • The tallest NHL player in the 2010s was Ben Bishop at 6 feet 7 inches.

Interpretation

It seems like the NHL has a "heightened" fascination with towering players throughout the decades, with each era seemingly trying to one-up the previous one by adding a few more inches to the mix. From the formidable 6 foot 9 Zdeno Chara to the sky-scraping 6 foot 8 Tyler Myers, it's clear that bigger players have always had a place on the ice. Whether it's the need to reach the top shelf for the puck or simply to make opponents feel like mere mortals, these giants of the NHL certainly stand tall in the history books.

References