The 22 Hottest NHL Players in the League Today (Including Olympian Jack Hughes)

22. Noah Hanifin

With hair flow rivaling Rapunzel and tattoos running down his bulging biceps, Noah Hanifin is Vegas’ golden boy — literally.

A Boston College alum (and the youngest player ever to join the team), the 28-year-old is a born-and-bred Masshole, though his personality is anything but. The Golden Knights defenseman has got a heart of gold, always making time for fans and volunteering with Cure 4 The Kids, a foundation funding research for childhood diseases. Forget trying to hit the jackpot on the Vegas strip — winning him over would be the real high-stakes victory.

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21. Quinton Byfield

Perhaps the only good thing to come out of 2020 was Quinton Byfield being selected second overall to level up the Los Angeles Kings’ offensive game — and our TV screens with that striking face card. Before making his NHL debut in 2021, the Canadian forward was with the Kings’ AHL team, the Ontario Reign. There, he played on a line with Akil Thomas and Devante Smith-Pelly, marking the second-ever all-Black line in professional ice hockey history (in the ‘40s, Herb Carnegie, Ossie Carnegie and Manny McIntyre, known as the “Black Aces,” were the first.) Beyond his obvious good looks, Byfield has the biggest green flag of all: be was raised with an older sister. His five-year, $31.25 million contract extension with the Kings doesn’t hurt either.

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20. Gabriel Landeskog

If you’re into men with boyish smiles but the facial hair game of a lumberjack, Gabriel Landeskog is your guy. The Swedish heartthrob stands tall at 6′ 1′ — and yes, that’s a real measurement, not one of those “Tinder profile” heights. Drafted in 2011, he’s played for the Colorado Avalanche ever since, but before you start planning your move to Denver, a quick heartbreak check: he’s been married since 2018 to Melissa Shouldice. But hey, depending on your preferences, there’s always his twin sister or older brother as an option.

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19. Adam Lowry

The Winnipeg Jets captain is an imposing player on the ice, with his rugged 6′ 5 frame and physical style of play. But the Canadian center is a certified teddy bear off the ice, as seen in his Instagram photos with his fiance Laura, and their beloved pup, Banks. Even more to love about Lowry: the hockey star has been a longtime volunteer with Toba Centre, a Winnipeg-based nonprofit organization that helps victims of child abuse. Now that’s a man we can stand behind.

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18. Kailer Yamamoto

Though he’s just 5′ 8″ in height, this half-Japanese, half-Hawaiian looker is a certified Short King. The scrappy winger came up with the Edmonton Oilers but now plays for the new Utah Mammoth team, and what he lacks in physical size he more than makes up for in confidence. In fact, Yamamoto reportedly told an Oilers staffer that he’d “come back and haunt you” if the team didn’t draft him in 2017 (they did). Utah, meantime, originally signed Yamamoto to a professional tryout, but he impressed the coaches so much that he earned himself a contract after training camp. More recently, Yamamoto was suspended for a “spearing” incident while playing in the AHL, but that was due more to a little rough-housing and aggressive play than anything else. We love an underdog, and even more so when he’s this cute. If Yamamoto is ever up for some game misconduct, we certainly wouldn’t say no.

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17. Anthony Duclair

Talk about checking all the boxes. While Anthony Duclair’s athletic prowess (he’s a certified speed demon) and unrivaled hot-to-cute ratio (please look at that man’s smile) are a given, the New York Islanders forward is also a stand-up guy. In 2022, the Haitian–Canadian pro founded The Anthony Duclair Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to “ensure that underserved communities are granted safe and equal access to playing hockey in North America.”

When he isn’t mentoring young players, building rinks for students, fostering diversity in the sport or, of course, playing hockey, Duclair’s Instagram captures him spending time outdoors (shirtless), checking destinations off his travel bucket list (also shirtless) and looking absolutely dapper in a three-piece suit. He’s the epitome of a humanitarian hockey hunk.

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16. Adam Henrique

Scruff daddy Adam Henrique just celebrated his 1,000th NHL game played and you know we love a guy with endurance. Born February 6, Henrique straddles the Aquarius and Pisces signs, and we’d gladly straddle a man that’s at once sensitive and assertive like his Zodiac profile too. Of course, Aquarius men can also be dominant and rebellious and there’s nothing quite like a romantic bad boy. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that Henrique got his start in the league with the New Jersey Devils.

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15. Brian Dumoulin

Brian Dumoulin has been in the league since 2009, and he’s aged like a fine Chianti: smooth, strong and something we’d like to take to dinner. Now manning the blue line for the Los Angeles Kings, it’s hard to decide if the 34-year-old should be on the ice or strutting down the red carpet in the City of Angels. With two Stanley Cup championships under his belt, he definitely knows a thing or two about a good dangle, snip, and celly. Off the ice, Dumoulin’s a total softie — he shares a bulldog named Roo and a young son with his wife Kayla. A devoted family man and total smoke show? Now that’s something we’re drinking up.

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14. Brandon Montour

Charming and charismatic, Montour was playing in his first Stanley Cup Final game in 2023 when his wife went into labor, forcing the then-Florida Panthers defenseman to fly cross-country from his game in Las Vegas straight to the hospital for the birth of his son. As if that wasn’t endearing enough, Montour is also the co-founder of the Henrique Montour Foundation (with fellow NHL star Adam Henrique), which raises money for athletics and after-school programs for kids in the players’ native Brant, Brantford and Six Nations communities in Canada.

Montour is of Mohawk descent and one of the few First Nations players to ever take the ice in the NHL, and he represents his heritage proudly. After winning the Stanley Cup in 2024, he brought the trophy home to the Six Nations reserve in Ontario to show it off to the community. He’s also helped to organize Indigenous Peoples’ Night games with his current team, the Seattle Kraken. Cute and charitable? Now that’s what we call a power play.

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13. Jonathan Toews

After leading the Chicago Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup victories, Toews struggled with symptoms of long COVID after the pandemic and had to sit out two seasons to focus on his health. But the six-time All-Star and the youngest captain to ever win the Conn Smythe Trophy is back and better than ever, now playing for his hometown Winnipeg Jets. Dare we say the time off has served him well? Toews is scoring goals — and stealing glances — again with his finesse on the ice and his laidback looks. And while he’s been nicknamed “Captain Serious” for his calm and stoic demeanor, this is one captain that can command our attention at any time.

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12. Cutter Gauthier

Cutter Gauthier’s brooding good looks and sharp jawline could cut glass, and those dreamy eyes could stare down an opponent — or straight into our souls. Drafted fifth overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2022, the Swedish-born Gauthier was controversially traded to the Anaheim Ducks in 2024. Less controversial: Cutter’s appearance on this list, with social media users and our team of ogling editors agreeing that this NHL star is a cut above the rest.

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11. Jack Hughes

If there’s a hot new NHL hunk in town, it’s none other than Jack Hughes, the 24-year-old New Jersey Devils star who’s captured the hearts of hockey fans and rink rabbits alike. Looking like a cross between Logan Lerman and insert-random-CW-star-here, Hughes’ Gen Z charm has spawned endless TikTok edits and Reddit threads devoted to everything from his workout routine to his tunnel walk. We’re not the only ones noticing this hockey He-man: the All-American stud is also a newly-minted Polo Ralph Lauren ambassador.

And if you can’t get enough of Hughes, we have good news for you: his two brothers, Quinn and Luke, are equally good looking and also play in the league.

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10. Kevin Fiala

Kevin Fiala isn’t just a talented left winger for the Los Angeles Kings; he’s a Swiss prodigy who speaks five languages. Talk about an international love affair. The ruggedly handsome 29-year-old seems to excel at literally everything he does, even snagging MVP awards at the 2024 World Championship. When he’s not scoring goals or training for the 2026 Olympic Games, Fiala somehow finds time to run a youth hockey camp, dress up as a kangaroo for Halloween (yes, really), and play baby daddy to his wife and young daughter… emphasis on daddy.

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9. Alexander Wennberg 

Sure, Alex Wennberg has a face that could stop traffic — or at least cause a few fender benders — and he’s got curly locks that most women would kill for. But the real showstopper about the San Jose Sharks’ alternate captain? His style. With more than 50,000 Instagram followers, Wennberg gives fans a peek into the closet of a man who’s basically the poster child for “coastal chic.” We’re talking striped camp-collar shirts and cable-knit sweaters that make you just want to curl up into his arms.

His old nickname, “Swedish House Mafia,” makes total sense — the man’s got swagger. And speaking of things worth noticing, let’s talk about his stick… the hockey stick, people, get your mind out of the gutter. Wennberg’s distinct white twig stands out on the ice almost as much as his hair does off it, becoming a fan-favorite callout for the hockey star.

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8. Alex Laferriere

The Harvard University-to-NHL pipeline may not be a common one, but Los Angeles Kings right winger Alex Laferriere managed to glide right on through. After playing two seasons for the Harvard Crimson, the now 24-year-old hung up his collegiate skates for the big leagues, playing four games for the AHL before signing an entry-level contract with the Kings in 2023. Cut to summer of 2025: the New Jersey native signed a three-year, $12.3 million extension with the Kings and got engaged to his longtime girlfriend (sorry, ladies). Smart and athletic? We love a well-rounded heartthrob.

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7. Will Smith

A newer addition to the NHL, Will Smith joined the San Jose Sharks in 2024 at just 19 years old and quickly became a fan favorite. The right winger is teammates with another young Shark, Macklin Celebrini (who also appears on this list) and the internet has noticed. Across social media, multiple fan accounts have sprung up just for this dynamic duo, so if you want to take your (slap) shot, be prepared to wait in line.

Peek at his Instagram, and it’s clear Will is a guy’s guy: photos of him chilling with big squads of friends are the first thing you’ll see on his grid. But hey, there could always be room in his heart for one more… if you play your cards right. And yes, Smith really is besties with fellow Sharks star Celebrini. Let the fan-fic and BFF theories begin…

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6. K’Andre Miller

K’Andre Miller’s on-ice swag is matched only by his off-ice drip, with the Carolina Hurricanes defenseman always turning up to the rink and events in style. The 6′ 5″ star got his start as a child actor and model, before taking his talents to the hockey arena, though we can easily picture him on a runway or say, as a hot new bombshell on the next season of Love Island?

He’s not just serving good looks either: the biracial Miller has long been an advocate for diversity in sports, while mentoring young students and athletes. Consider this a hockey heartthrob with a big heart to match.

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5. Tage Thompson

Tage Thompson has a movie star name and movie star looks to boot. Coming in at a staggering 6′ 7″ in height, the Buffalo Sabres center went viral when he debuted his now-signature mullet a few seasons ago, but that wasn’t the only thing that’s making fans look twice; the patriotic pretty boy helped Team USA win a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, and he’s among the shots leaders in the NHL. Recent stats, meantime, rank Thompson in the 97th percentile for shot speed in the league, meaning that while his striking face is hard to miss, his slapshot is likely whizzing by.

Of course, Thompson made headlines last fall when he described singer Jelly Roll’s voice as a “combination of Fergie and Jesus,” but we’ll forgive his seemingly random concert comparison. After all, he’s a hockey player, not a poet.

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4. Sidney Crosby

When it comes to NHL superstars, few are as big — or as hot — as Sidney Crosby. Formerly known as “Sid the Kid,” the longtime Pittsburgh Penguins captain is now a grrr-own man, with brawny good looks, kind eyes and the type of lips Kylie Jenner would design a whole line around.

And while many athletes are prone to partying or over-posting, the 38-year-old Crosby is basically a walking green flag: he doesn’t use social media, he loves to fish and kayak, and he recently revealed a new obsession with bird watching (yes, we’re totally fluttering here). There’s also so much we want to say about Crosby’s off-ice role as an ambassador for this “fully immersive” mattress, but our editor says this article has to stay SFW.

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3. Connor Bedard

20-year-old Connor Bedard is leading the charge for the NHL’s next wave of superstars, while boosting the game’s appeal to a whole new generation of fans. You need look no further than TikTok, which is awash with Connor Bedard edits, comparing the Chicago Blackhawks star’s looks to everyone from a young Leonardo DiCaprio to The Summer I Turned Pretty’s Chris Briney (we always knew we were Team Conrad!) Casual fans and amateur athletes alike, meantime, have jumped on Bedard’s lululemon partnership, buying up everything he promotes.

Bedard was so sought-after when he entered the league, that teams were allegedly purposely tanking their games to boost their hopes of landing the Vancouver native with the number-one pick in 2023’s Entry Draft. Headlines like “Fall Hard for Bedard” began trending with sports journalists and commentators, and we have to admit: with his boyish good looks and aw shucks charm, we’ve found ourselves falling hard too.

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2. Macklin Celebrini

At just 18 years old (relax, he’s 19 now), Macklin Celebrini was the first player selected in 2024’s NHL draft. After then becoming the first rookie to score a hat trick in the 2024–25 season, the San Jose Sharks center was among six players named to that year’s All-Rookie Team. The Sharks alternate captain is a proud Canadian who comes from a big family of athletes: his dad played soccer for the Vancouver 86ers and his older brother was drafted by the Canucks in 2023, but Celebrini’s athletic abilities aren’t the only thing making people take notice. TikTok and Instagram fan accounts have described the player as everything from “scorching hot,” to “the pinnacle of what the human form can achieve,” and “a cosmic masterpiece sculpted by the hockey gods themselves.” It’s safe to say Celebrini’s athletic abilities aren’t the only thing sculpted by the gods. This baby-faced boo thang is the epitome of the boy (everyone wished lived) next door.

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1. Mathew Barzal

With his magazine cover good looks, broad shoulders and tousled locks, Mat Barzal could easily pass as a Disney prince, but these days, the only thing he’s saving is the lowly New York Islanders franchise, which is once again a playoff contender thanks to Barzy’s quick hands and playmaking skills.

Off the ice, hockey’s Prince Charming has a few enchanting skills too: the 28-year-old taught himself guitar during COVID, loves to cook (though he’s also down for some late-night chicken tenders), and he’s a confirmed Swiftie. Did we mention he’s also fluent in French? Oh la la indeed.

Do you agree with our list of hot hockey hunks? Who did we miss?

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