Top 10 Shortest NHL Players Ever
Size has never been the defining factor for success in the NHL. While hockey has increasingly trended toward bigger and stronger athletes, the league has always featured players who prove that skill, speed, and intelligence can outweigh physical stature.
Historically, NHL teams have often prioritized players with a larger frame. Height and reach were long seen as major advantages in board battles, puck protection, and physical matchups. For decades, many smaller players simply did not receive the same opportunities as bigger prospects unless they possessed truly elite skill.
But the modern NHL is slowly shifting. As the league has become faster and more skill driven, smaller players have found new ways to thrive. Players with elite skating, agility, and puck control can exploit space on the ice and avoid physical battles rather than engage in them.
So who is the shortest NHL player ever and who is the shortest NHL player currently playing in the NHL?
Right now the title belongs to Cole Caufield, who stands at 172 cm (5'8"). The Montréal Canadiens sniper is among the smallest players in the modern NHL but has developed into one of the league's most dangerous goal scorers.
Interestingly many of the shortest players active in today's NHL also appear on all time lists of the smallest players to reach the league. That overlap suggests an important trend. Smaller players are not only making the NHL more frequently, they are also establishing long and productive careers. The success of players like Alex DeBrincat and Mats Zuccarello highlights how the league's evolution toward speed and skill is opening doors that may have been closed to similar players in earlier eras.
Below is a look at the shortest NHL players currently active followed by some of the shortest players in league history.
Shortest NHL Player Currently
The shortest active NHL player is Cole Caufield, listed at 172 cm (5'8").
Despite being smaller than most NHL forwards Caufield has built a reputation as an elite scorer thanks to his quick release elite hockey sense and ability to find space in the offensive zone.
He is not alone however. Several current NHL players measure well below the league average height of roughly 185 cm (6'1").
Other current NHL players among the smallest in the league include Mats Zuccarello, Alex DeBrincat, Logan Stankoven, Conor Garland, Bobby Brink, Brad Marchand, Kailer Yamamoto, Nick Robertson and Nathan Walker.
Players like Zuccarello DeBrincat and Marchand have shown that smaller forwards can become stars in the NHL. Their success often comes from elite edge work creativity with the puck and an ability to attack open ice before larger defenders can react.
At the same time many of these players are not simply surviving in the league. Several have become top line forwards power play specialists and key offensive drivers for their teams.
Shortest Current NHL Players
Shortest NHL Players Ever
Looking across NHL history many of the shortest players to reach the league have still managed to leave a significant mark.
One of the most notable examples is Johnny Gaudreau, who stood just 175 cm (5'9") but became one of the NHL's most dynamic offensive players during his career. Known for his elite edge work and creativity Gaudreau proved that smaller players could dominate at the highest level of the sport.
The same can be said for Zuccarello whose vision and playmaking ability have allowed him to enjoy a long and productive NHL career despite being one of the league's smallest forwards.
Meanwhile DeBrincat quickly established himself as one of the NHL's most reliable goal scorers consistently producing at a top line pace despite standing just 173 cm (5'8") (5'8").
Another example is Denis Malgin, who spent several seasons in the NHL before becoming a star in Europe while players like Stankoven Yamamoto and Robertson represent the next generation of smaller forwards pushing their way into the league.
Even players who spent significant time outside the NHL such as Nikita Gusev illustrate how elite skill can compensate for a lack of size.
What stands out when looking at the list of the shortest NHL players ever is how many of them are still active today. That overlap between the current players and the historical list highlights an important shift in the modern game. Smaller players are not only making NHL rosters more frequently they are staying in the league longer and producing at higher levels than ever before.
Shortest NHL Players Ever
Does Size Matter in the NHL?
While the NHL average height has steadily increased over the decades the modern game has created more room for players who win with skill rather than physical dominance.
Players under 175 cm (5'9") often rely on a different toolkit than their larger counterparts. Quick acceleration elite edge work and rapid decision making allow them to avoid heavy contact and exploit small pockets of space on the ice.
As the NHL continues to emphasize speed puck possession and creativity smaller players may continue to gain opportunities that once favored bigger prospects. The success of many of today's shortest NHL players suggests that the league's evolving style of play may be reshaping how teams evaluate size and skill for future generations.
FAQ
Who is the shortest NHL player?
The shortest active NHL player is Cole Caufield of the Montréal Canadiens who is listed at 172 cm (5'8"). Despite being one of the smallest players in the league Caufield has become one of the NHL's most dangerous goal scorers thanks to his elite shot and offensive instincts.
Who is the shortest player in the NHL right now?
As of the latest NHL rosters Cole Caufield is the shortest player currently playing in the NHL. Several other players are close behind at 173 cm including Mats Zuccarello, Alex DeBrincat and Logan Stankoven.
Who is the shortest NHL player ever?
Several NHL players have played at heights around 170 to 175 cm (5'7"–5'9") but in the modern NHL era Cole Caufield is among the shortest players to become a consistent top line NHL forward. Historically smaller players such as Johnny Gaudreau and Mats Zuccarello have also built highly successful NHL careers despite being well below the league's average player height.
What is the average height of an NHL player?
The average NHL player today stands at roughly 185 cm (6'1") which makes players like Cole Caufield, Alex DeBrincat and Mats Zuccarello significantly smaller than the typical NHL skater. Despite this difference many of these players have proven that elite skill speed and hockey IQ can outweigh physical size.