Ice hockey values a combination of size, speed, and skill. While the fastest skaters tend to be average height, the NHL has fielded some extraordinarily tall players who used their reach and physical presence to dominate on the ice.
⚡ Quick Facts:
- The tallest ice hockey player ever is Zdeno Chara at 6 ft 9 in (206 cm)
- This list covers the top 10 tallest ice hockey players of all time
- Heights are shown in both feet/inches and centimetres
Complete List: Top 10 Tallest Ice hockey Players
| Rank | Player | Height | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zdeno Chara | 6 ft 9 in (206 cm) | Slovakia |
| 2 | John Scott | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) | United States |
| 3 | Tyler Myers | 6 ft 8 in (203 cm) | United States |
| 4 | Ben Bishop | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) | United States |
| 5 | Jamie Oleksiak | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) | United States |
| 6 | Derek Boogaard | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) | Canada |
| 7 | Victor Hedman | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | Sweden |
| 8 | Nikita Zadorov | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | Russia |
| 9 | Andrei Svechnikov | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) | Russia |
| 10 | Dustin Byfuglien | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | United States |
1. Zdeno Chara — 6 ft 9 in (206 cm)
Country: Slovakia
Zdeno Chara is the tallest player in NHL history and one of the most decorated defencemen of his era. He won the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011 and the Norris Trophy in 2009. Chara played 24 NHL seasons and holds the record for the hardest shot in NHL history at 108.8 mph.
2. John Scott — 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Country: United States
John Scott became a fan favourite when he was voted into the 2016 NHL All-Star Game. The enforcer played for several teams during his career and was named MVP of the All-Star Game. Scott’s towering presence made him one of the most intimidating fighters in the league.
3. Tyler Myers — 6 ft 8 in (203 cm)
Country: United States
Tyler Myers won the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year in 2010 with the Buffalo Sabres. The towering defenceman has also played for the Winnipeg Jets and Vancouver Canucks. Myers uses his exceptional reach to break up plays and move the puck.
4. Ben Bishop — 6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Country: United States
Ben Bishop was one of the tallest goaltenders in NHL history. He played for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, and other teams. Bishop was a Vezina Trophy finalist and an All-Star selection, using his massive frame to cover the net.
5. Jamie Oleksiak — 6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Country: United States
Jamie Oleksiak is a towering defenceman who has played for the Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Seattle Kraken. He was drafted 14th overall in 2011. Oleksiak uses his long reach and physical play to be an effective shutdown defenceman.
6. Derek Boogaard — 6 ft 7 in (201 cm)
Country: Canada
Derek Boogaard was one of the most feared enforcers in NHL history. He played for the Minnesota Wild and New York Rangers from 2005 to 2011. Boogaard’s imposing size and fighting ability made him a legend among hockey enforcers.
7. Victor Hedman — 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Country: Sweden
Victor Hedman is one of the best defencemen in the modern NHL. He won the Norris Trophy in 2018 and was a key part of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s back-to-back Stanley Cup wins in 2020 and 2021. Hedman was drafted second overall in 2009.
8. Nikita Zadorov — 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Country: Russia
Nikita Zadorov is a large Russian defenceman who has played for the Buffalo Sabres, Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, and Vancouver Canucks. He uses his size to deliver punishing body checks. Zadorov was drafted 16th overall in 2013.
9. Andrei Svechnikov — 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Country: Russia
Andrei Svechnikov was drafted second overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2018. The Russian forward is known for his size, skill, and scoring ability. Svechnikov became the first player to score a lacrosse-style goal in back-to-back NHL games.
10. Dustin Byfuglien — 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Country: United States
Dustin Byfuglien was a unique talent who could play both defence and forward. He won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 and later became a star for the Winnipeg Jets. Byfuglien was known for his booming hits and powerful shot.
📏 Want to see how you compare?
Use our free Height Converter to convert your height, or try the Height Comparison Tool to visually compare yourself with these ice hockey giants. Browse our Celebrity Heights database or check out Average Height by Country for more data.
Final Thoughts
These towering ice hockey players proved that extraordinary height can be an asset on the ice. Their reach, physical presence, and ability to protect the puck made them valuable additions to their teams.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the tallest NHL player of all time?
Zdeno Chara of Slovakia is the tallest player in NHL history at 6 ft 9 in (206 cm).
Does height help in ice hockey?
Height provides a longer reach for poke checks and shot blocking, and taller goaltenders can cover more of the net. However, lower centres of gravity can be advantageous for skating and balance.
What is the average height of an NHL player?
The average NHL player stands approximately 6 ft 1 in (185 cm).