What is the longest Ice Hockey career Ever?

[BlueBull]

Johan Tellström is a guy i found recently who just came back out of retirement. Peaked as an SHL top 6/9 over his 31 years before his first retirement. Are there any longer Careers out there?

 

[puckpilot]

If you count his WHA years, Howe played 32 seasons. If you count his plublicity stunt with the Vipers, he played in 33 seasons.

 

[AIREAYE]

Neat topic, but I think this belongs in another forum like "The History of Hockey".

 

[BigBadBruins7708]

Depends. You mean playing career or playing + post playing career?

Milt Schmidt spent 80 years as part of the Bruins between playing, coaching and front office

 

[Killion]

I think Howe's the winner on this one, and by quite a margin..... several others who played well into their 40's of course, Johnny Bower, Alex Delvecchio..... a guy often forgotten is Andy Hebenton, the NHL's "Original Iron Man" who's pro career began in 1949, ending in either 1974/1975 or 1975/1976 (he's listed on a team roster in 75/76 but no games played). Andy enjoyed 9 years in the NHL with NY & Boston in mid 50's & early 60's before being sent down & never called up again, Toronto property by then, Imlach notorious for burying guys in the minors. Hebenton having an extremely successful Western Hockey League Career with the Victoria Maple Leafs, Portland Buckaroo's etc...

 

[Killion]

Depends. You mean playing career or playing + post playing career?

Milt Schmidt spent 80 years as part of the Bruins between playing, coaching and front office

As a player, on the ice. Not sure if anyone from Europe or the UK in the running.... would include those leagues, anything from semi-pro to minor-pro to major league.

.... I think it fair to include guys who mightve retired for a few years then came back to play at least a season or more at an appreciable level & that could include as a Player/Coach.

 

[McGarnagle]

By my count, Jagr is in his 31st season of major pro hockey.

Starting at 16 years old in the Czech Extraliga for two years, 11 with the Pens, 3 with the Caps, 4 with the Rangers, playing in Europe during the lockout year, 3 in the KHL, 1 with Philly, then a season split among 3 teams in 12-13, 1.5 in NJ, 2.5 in FLA, then this year starting in Calgary and then back to Kladno.

 

[Howie Hodge]

I think Howe's the winner on this one, and by quite a margin..... several others who played well into their 40's of course, Johnny Bower, Alex Delvecchio..... a guy often forgotten is Andy Hebenton, the NHL's "Original Iron Man" who's pro career began in 1949, ending in either 1974/1975 or 1975/1976 (he's listed on a team roster in 75/76 but no games played). Andy enjoyed 9 years in the NHL with NY & Boston in mid 50's & early 60's before being sent down & never called up again, Toronto property by then, Imlach notorious for burying guys in the minors. Hebenton having an extremely successful Western Hockey League Career with the Victoria Maple Leafs, Portland Buckaroo's etc...

Andy Hebenton, who's son Clay played in The WHA and in the minors! Clay Andrew Hebenton. I remember reading about Clay in The Hockey News many years ago...

Their paths may have crossed in the mid seventies, (75/75) in the CHL as I seem to recall.... Briefly though.

 

[Killion]

Andy Hebenton, who's son Clay played in The WHA and in the minors! Clay Andrew Hebenton. I remember reading about Clay in The Hockey News many years ago...

Their paths may have crossed in the mid seventies, (75/75) in the CHL as I seem to recall.... Briefly though.

Ya, Clay was a Goalie. Played for the Phoenix Roadrunners of the WHA, Starter in 75/76 I believe it was... his only full "major league" season. Toiled away in the minors, all over the map..... Andy played 26 pro seasons so certainly up there in terms of longevity. Won the Lady Byng in 57 and 5X winner of the similar trophy in the old Western League. Apparently he had hoped to get plucked off the Leafs depth charts with Expansion in 67/68 on however Imlach was up to his tricks, protecting Hebenton in the hopes that he'd be part of the 1st Vancouver Canucks ownership group that applied but was denied an Expansion team for 67/68. Imlach stacking the Leafs minor league rosters with NHL talent, owning in whole or in part a number of farm teams himself. Hebenton hoped to be left un-protected & grabbed by an Expansion team but obviously wasnt... and by the time the WHA came along he was well into his 40's, hoped for but never did receive an offer from any of them.

.... Some trivia... Andy nicknamed "Spud" due to his love for potato's.

 

[alko]

Petteri Nummelin - 45 years old, still active in Asia league.

Nicky Chinn - one of the chosen ones, that played for Great Britain in the only one WCH top level championships in 1994. Still playing in England, 45 years old.

Or what about this guy. Ellert Vikström , 61 years old Swede?

 

[SharksAttack]

Petteri Nummelin - 45 years old, still active in Asia league.

His father Timo played couple games at 14-15 season. Timo Nummelin