Who Is The Shortest Player In The NHL?
Who is the shortest player in the NHL? This is a question that many fans have asked over the years. While there is no definitive answer, we can take a look at some of the NHL’s shortest players and see how they measure up.
Introduction
In the National Hockey League, there have been a number of players who have been considered to be the “shortest” in league history. Listed at 5’7″, Eddie Shore is often considered to be the shortest player to ever play in the NHL. However, there have been a number of other players who have been listed at 5’7″ or shorter who have played in the NHL.
Some of the other “shortest” players in NHL history include: minnesota’s Darryl Sittler (5’7″), Calgary’s Kent Nilsson (5’8″), Detroit’s Ted Lindsay (5’8″), and Chicago’s Doug Gilmour (5’9″). These players were all able to find success in the NHL despite their lack of height.
While there have been a number of short players who have found success in the NHL, it is worth noting that being shorter can often be a disadvantage when playing against taller opponents. This is particularly true when it comes to winning face-offs and battles along the boards. Nevertheless, there have been a number of very successful shorter players in NHL history.
Zach Parise
American professional ice hockey player Zach Parise stands at 5 feet 8 inches tall, making him the shortest player in the NHL. He is currently a winger for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). Parise has also played for the New Jersey Devils and is a former captain of the Devils. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with the Devils in 2003 and again in 2012 with the Wild.
Tyler Johnson
The 5’8” Tyler Johnson of the Tampa Bay Lightning is the shortest player in the NHL. He’s also one of the league’s top scorers, with 19 goals and 26 assists in just 47 games during the 2014-2015 season.
Nathan Gerbe
Standing at just 5’4”, Nathan Gerbe is the shortest player in the NHL. The American forward was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft and has played for the Carolina Hurricanes and the Boston Bruins. He is currently a free agent.
Although he is diminutive in stature, Gerbe is known for his tenacity on the ice. He was awarded the “Masterton Trophy” in 2014, which is given to the player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.”
Conclusion
All in all, the shortest player in the NHL is Brian Boyle of the New Jersey Devils, who is just 5’7” tall. There are a number of other players who are just a few inches taller than Boyle, but he is definitely the shortest player in the league.