How long does the average hockey player last in the NHL?

Question

id like to know if they last longer or shorter than football players do

Answer 1

NHL players last longer on average.

I read an article some years back that put NFL players at about 3-4 years and NHLers around 4-5 years on average.

Sure, some players last 10-20 years or even more...but for every one that does there are a dozen who play a handful of games and are gone.

Interstingly, I saw another bit of research on the subject that shows unusually long NHL careers (20+ seasons) clustered around periods of major NHL expansion (such as the 60's, early 80's and the past decade). Presumably because the extra teams open up new job prospects for aging veterans.

Answer 2

Gordie Howe - 26 seasons

Mark Messier - 25 seasons

Chris Chelios - 24 seasons and counting lol

...but average I'm guessing anywhere between 8-14 seasons

Answer 3

Much longer than football players for sure. Don't know what their average years in the NHL is, but some play up to their high 30's early 40's and start in their early 20's.

Answer 4

Chelios is more than averege but most players last about 10-15

years starting in their early 20s going into their late 30s and early 40s.

Answer 5

13 seasons

Answer 6

15-20 ish depending on how old they were when they came in to the league and injuries

Answer 7

The average man last less than 3 mins.

Answer 8

Average ten years.

many have played over 20 years.

More then most NFLer's (minus some star Qb's and Kickers)

Answer 9

I think Chelios is throwing the curve off a little bit

Answer 10

It depends on the type of player, if they are contributors, if teams like that style of player.  

I would say as long as a player is contributing they will last in the league, depending on their contribution.  Some guys play for 20 years, others have more flash in the pan careers.  You can probably safe bet 12 years as an average.  

You are going to have your one game wonders, who really never catch onto a system and are now stuck in the minors. or guys like Chelios who seem more hockey machines than human beings.

Answer 11

10-15 years.

Answer 12

10-15 years