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NHL Record for Most Assists in a Career

Wayne Gretzky holds the NHL record with 1,963 assists (1979-80 to 1998-99).

Top of the list

Most Assists, Career: the leaders
RankPlayerAssistsSeasonGPGoalsPoints
1Wayne GretzkyEDM,LAK,STL,NYR1,9631979-80 to 1998-991,4878942,857
2Ron FrancisHFD,PIT,CAR,TOR1,2491981-82 to 2003-041,7315491,798
3Mark MessierEDM,NYR,VAN1,1931979-80 to 2003-041,7566941,887
4Ray BourqueBOS,COL1,1691979-80 to 2000-011,6124101,579
5Jaromir JagrPIT,WSH,NYR,PHI,DAL,BOS,NJD,FLA,CGY1,1551990-91 to 2017-181,7337661,921
6Paul CoffeyEDM,PIT,LAK,DET,HFD,PHI,CHI,CAR,BOS1,1351980-81 to 2000-011,4093961,531

The full top 50

Most Assists, Career: NHL skater records
RankPlayerAssistsSeasonGPGoalsPoints
1Wayne GretzkyEDM,LAK,STL,NYR1,9631979-80 to 1998-991,4878942,857
2Ron FrancisHFD,PIT,CAR,TOR1,2491981-82 to 2003-041,7315491,798
3Mark MessierEDM,NYR,VAN1,1931979-80 to 2003-041,7566941,887
4Ray BourqueBOS,COL1,1691979-80 to 2000-011,6124101,579
5Jaromir JagrPIT,WSH,NYR,PHI,DAL,BOS,NJD,FLA,CGY1,1551990-91 to 2017-181,7337661,921
6Paul CoffeyEDM,PIT,LAK,DET,HFD,PHI,CHI,CAR,BOS1,1351980-81 to 2000-011,4093961,531
7Sidney CrosbyPIT · active1,1102005-06 to 2026-271,4306571,767
8Joe ThorntonBOS,SJS,TOR,FLA1,1091997-98 to 2021-221,7144301,539
9Adam OatesDET,STL,BOS,WSH,PHI,ANA,EDM1,0791985-86 to 2003-041,3373411,420
10Steve YzermanDET1,0631983-84 to 2005-061,5146921,755
11Gordie HoweDET,HFD1,0491946-47 to 1979-801,7678011,850
12Marcel DionneDET,LAK,NYR1,0401971-72 to 1988-891,3487311,771
13Mario LemieuxPIT1,0331984-85 to 2005-069156901,723
14Joe SakicQUE,COL1,0161988-89 to 2008-091,3786251,641
15Doug GilmourSTL,CGY,TOR,NJD,CHI,BUF,MTL9641983-84 to 2002-031,4744501,414
16Mark RecchiPIT,PHI,MTL,CAR,ATL,TBL,BOS9561988-89 to 2010-111,6525771,533
17Al MacInnisCGY,STL9341981-82 to 2003-041,4163401,274
18Larry MurphyLAK,WSH,MNS,PIT,TOR,DET9291980-81 to 2000-011,6152881,217
19Stan MikitaCHI9261958-59 to 1979-801,3965411,467
20Bryan TrottierNYI,PIT9011975-76 to 1993-941,2795241,425
21Patrick KaneCHI,NYR,DET · active8962007-08 to 2026-271,3785091,405
22Phil HousleyBUF,WIN,STL,CGY,NJD,WSH,CHI,TOR8941982-83 to 2002-031,4953381,232
23Dale HawerchukWIN,BUF,STL,PHI8911981-82 to 1996-971,1885181,409
24Nicklas LidstromDET8781991-92 to 2011-121,5642641,142
25Evgeni MalkinPIT · active8762006-07 to 2026-271,2795381,414
26Phil EspositoCHI,BOS,NYR8731963-64 to 1980-811,2827171,590
27Denis SavardCHI,MTL,TBL8651980-81 to 1996-971,1964731,338
28Anze KopitarLAK8642006-07 to 2025-261,5214521,316
29Bobby ClarkePHI8521969-70 to 1983-841,1443581,210
30Henrik SedinVAN8302000-01 to 2017-181,3302401,070
31Connor McDavidEDM · active8282015-16 to 2026-278024151,243
32Alex DelvecchioDET8251950-51 to 1973-741,5504561,281
33Gilbert PerreaultBUF8141970-71 to 1986-871,1915121,326
34Mike ModanoMNS,DAL,DET8131989-90 to 2010-111,4995611,374
34Johnny BucykDET,BOS8131955-56 to 1977-781,5405561,369
36Pierre TurgeonBUF,NYI,MTL,STL,DAL,COL8121987-88 to 2006-071,2945151,327
37Jari KurriEDM,LAK,NYR,ANA,COL7971980-81 to 1997-981,2516011,398
38Guy LafleurMTL,NYR,QUE7931971-72 to 1990-911,1265601,353
39Claude GirouxPHI,FLA,OTT · active7912007-08 to 2026-271,3543801,171
40Peter StastnyQUE,NJD,STL7891980-81 to 1994-959774501,239
41Mats SundinQUE,TOR,VAN7851990-91 to 2008-091,3465641,349
42Brian LeetchNYR,TOR,BOS7811987-88 to 2005-061,2052471,028
43Jean RatelleNYR,BOS7761960-61 to 1980-811,2804911,267
44Vincent DamphousseTOR,EDM,MTL,SJS7731986-87 to 2003-041,3784321,205
44Teemu SelanneWIN,ANA,SJS,COL7731992-93 to 2013-141,4516841,457
46Chris CheliosMTL,CHI,DET,ATL7631983-84 to 2009-101,651185948
47Nicklas BackstromWSH7622007-08 to 2023-241,1052711,033
48Bernie FederkoSTL,DET7611976-77 to 1989-901,0003691,130
48Alex OvechkinWSH · active7612005-06 to 2026-271,5819301,691
50Doug WeightNYR,EDM,STL,CAR,ANA,NYI7551991-92 to 2010-111,2382781,033

Top 50 of 615 lines on the NHL's list, ties kept. Source: NHL Records.

About these records

Every record list comes from the NHL's official records database (records.nhl.com): 808 regular-season and playoff records for skaters, goalies and teams. We keep the top 50 of each list, with ties, and refresh lists with active players daily, so career climbs like Alex Ovechkin's goal total update the morning after a game.

Records cover the league's whole history, so eras matter: scoring was far higher in the 1980s, goalie stats like saves and save percentage start in 1955-56 or later, and time on ice, hits and blocks start in 2005-06. Each list notes its own limits.

Active players are flagged, so you can see who is climbing a list this season. For the milestones those players are chasing tonight, see the milestone watch.

More NHL records and milestones

  • All NHL records

    Every official record list by category

  • Milestones

    Who could hit a milestone tonight, and who is close

  • Streaks

    Active point and goal streaks and droughts, with the luck behind them

  • Hat tricks

    Every hat trick this season and the leaders since 2017-18

  • Gordie Howe hat tricks

    Goal, assist and a fight in one game

  • Game highs

    Most shots, saves, hits and goals in one game this season

  • Rookies

    Rookie leaders, points pace and the Calder race

  • Awards

    Trophy winners and this season's award races with odds

  • Head to head

    All-time records between any two teams

Frequently asked questions

What is the NHL record for most assists in a career?

Wayne Gretzky holds the NHL record for most assists in a career with 1,963 (1979-80 to 1998-99).

Who is the active leader for most assists in a career?

Sidney Crosby is the highest active player on the list at 1,110, rank 7 all time.