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NHL Record for Most Assists, Center in a Career

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

Top of the list

Most Assists, Center, 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,VAN1,1291979-80 to 2003-041,6836571,786
4Sidney CrosbyPIT · active1,1102005-06 to 2026-271,4306571,767
5Joe ThorntonSJS,BOS,TOR,FLA1,1091997-98 to 2021-221,7144301,539
6Adam OatesDET,STL,BOS,WSH,PHI,ANA,EDM1,0791985-86 to 2003-041,3373411,420

The full top 50

Most Assists, Center, 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,VAN1,1291979-80 to 2003-041,6836571,786
4Sidney CrosbyPIT · active1,1102005-06 to 2026-271,4306571,767
5Joe ThorntonSJS,BOS,TOR,FLA1,1091997-98 to 2021-221,7144301,539
6Adam OatesDET,STL,BOS,WSH,PHI,ANA,EDM1,0791985-86 to 2003-041,3373411,420
7Steve YzermanDET1,0631983-84 to 2005-061,5146921,755
8Marcel DionneDET,LAK,NYR1,0401971-72 to 1988-891,3487311,771
9Mario LemieuxPIT1,0331984-85 to 2005-069156901,723
10Joe SakicQUE,COL1,0161988-89 to 2008-091,3786251,641
11Doug GilmourSTL,CGY,TOR,NJD,CHI,BUF,MTL9641983-84 to 2002-031,4744501,414
12Stan MikitaCHI9261958-59 to 1979-801,3965411,467
13Bryan TrottierNYI,PIT9011975-76 to 1993-941,2795241,425
14Dale HawerchukWIN,BUF,STL,PHI8911981-82 to 1996-971,1885181,409
15Evgeni MalkinPIT · active8762006-07 to 2026-271,2795381,414
16Phil EspositoCHI,BOS,NYR8731963-64 to 1980-811,2827171,590
17Denis SavardCHI,MTL,TBL8651980-81 to 1996-971,1964731,338
18Anze KopitarLAK8642006-07 to 2025-261,5214521,316
19Bobby ClarkePHI8521969-70 to 1983-841,1443581,210
20Henrik SedinVAN8302000-01 to 2017-181,3302401,070
21Connor McDavidEDM · active8282015-16 to 2026-278024151,243
22Alex DelvecchioDET8251950-51 to 1973-741,5504561,281
23Gilbert PerreaultBUF8141970-71 to 1986-871,1915121,326
24Mike ModanoMNS,DAL,DET8131989-90 to 2010-111,4995611,374
25Pierre TurgeonBUF,NYI,MTL,STL,DAL,COL8121987-88 to 2006-071,2945151,327
26Peter StastnyQUE,NJD,STL7891980-81 to 1994-959774501,239
27Mats SundinQUE,TOR,VAN7851990-91 to 2008-091,3465641,349
28Jean RatelleNYR,BOS7761960-61 to 1980-811,2804911,267
29Vincent DamphousseTOR,EDM,MTL,SJS7731986-87 to 2003-041,3784321,205
30Nicklas BackstromWSH7622007-08 to 2023-241,1052711,033
31Bernie FederkoSTL,DET7611976-77 to 1989-901,0003691,130
32Doug WeightNYR,EDM,CAR,STL,ANA,NYI7551991-92 to 2010-111,2382781,033
33Norm UllmanDET,TOR7391955-56 to 1974-751,4104901,229
34Ryan GetzlafANA7372005-06 to 2021-221,1572821,019
35Bernie NichollsLAK,NYR,NJD,EDM,CHI,SJS7341981-82 to 1998-991,1274751,209
36Nathan MacKinnonCOL · active7322013-14 to 2026-279594261,158
36Rod Brind'AmourSTL,PHI,CAR7321989-90 to 2009-101,4844521,184
38Jean BeliveauMTL7121950-51 to 1970-711,1255071,219
39Jeremy RoenickCHI,PHI,LAK,PHX,SJS7031988-89 to 2008-091,3635131,216
40Dale HunterQUE,COL,WSH6971980-81 to 1998-991,4073231,020
41Sergei FedorovDET,ANA,CBJ,WSH6961990-91 to 2008-091,2484831,179
42Henri RichardMTL6881955-56 to 1974-751,2583581,046
43Bobby SmithMNS,MTL6791978-79 to 1992-931,0773571,036
44John TavaresNYI,TOR · active6652009-10 to 2026-271,2735271,192
45Steven StamkosTBL,NSH · active6382008-09 to 2026-271,2546281,266
46Darryl SittlerTOR,PHI,DET6371970-71 to 1984-851,0964841,121
47Peter ForsbergQUE,PHI,NSH,COL6361994-95 to 2010-11708249885
48Neal BrotenMNS,NJD,DAL,LAK6341980-81 to 1996-971,099289923
48Brad RichardsTBL,DAL,NYR,CHI,DET6342000-01 to 2015-161,126298932
50Jason SpezzaOTT,DAL,TOR6322002-03 to 2021-221,248363995

Top 50 of 760 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, center in a career?

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

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

Sidney Crosby is the highest active player on the list at 1,110, rank 4 all time.