The HockeyZonePlus salary history / net worth / earnings database provides information -- including salaries, yearly pay increases / decreases, rankings, career earnings, and values in today's dollars -- for 5,000+ NHL / hockey players, and some coaches, since 1989 when salaries started to be disclosed. A growing number of prehistoric (pre-1989) salaries are included. To find a player, type his last name in the HZP search box at the top.
25-Year Evolution of Hockey Career Earnings
Interesting animated bar chart race showing that 36 players and 1 commissioner appeared, from 1995 to 2020, in the yearly Top Ten NHL/hockey career earnings with Jaromir Jagr standing as #1 in total hockey earnings since 2002-03. How is your 401k/RSSP doing?
Gary Bettman Ranks #1 in NHL Fortunes Accumulated
Gary Bettman, NHL Commissioner since 1993, has accumulated the largest NHL fortune with over $US 150 million, ahead of Jagr, Crosby, Ovechkin and... Shea Weber! On the other hand, Jaromir Jagr remains ranked #1 in today's dollar value which reflects the equivalent, in today's purchasing power, of accumulated past salaries. As points of comparison, John Ziegler earned $225,000/year in the late 70s; Red Dutton earned $13,505 in 1943; and Frank Calder earned $1,080 in 1922.
Nearly 50% of Jacques Demers’ Hockey Fortune Earned with Guaranteed Contracts While Not Coaching
Jacques Demers earned around $US 7.6M throughout his career as coach, assistant-coach and general manager for 21 seasons. Interestingly enough, nearly half of it, $US 3.7M, was paid while he was actually not coaching, after being fired, thanks to guaranteed contracts.
Coaches, GMs & Referees
Salary information for some coaches, General Managers and hockey operations staff.
NHL Draft First Rounders Career Earnings
Compare the career earnings of players picked in the first round of each NHL entry draft between 1989-2011.
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Top 25 NHL Fortunes
Gary Bettman is now #1 in the Top 25 NHL/hockey fortunes accumulated since 1989 while Jaromir Jagr remains #1 when accounting for today's dollar value.
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Prehistoric Salaries
The HockeyZonePlus salary history database has information for some players who played before 1989, when NHL salaries became public. This list is growing so come back often or follow-us on social media for announcements of additions.
Fortune Accumulated by 2019 NHL All-Star Game Players = $1.45 billion
The 2019 NHL All-Star Game players are collectively making $US 217 million this year and have a collective accumulated fortune of $US 1.45 billion. The Metro Division had the highest collective 2018-19 salary ($US 63.7M) and accumulated fortune ($US 582M).
Henri Richard's Rookie Contract on Calendar Page
Henri Richard's rookie contract with the Canadiens, for the 1955-56 and 1956-57 seasons, was handwritten on a nearly 2-year old calendar page and signed by both Richard and General Manager Frank Selke.
1977-1978 - Top 25 Salaries
Montreal won the Stanley Cup while Guy Lafleur had the most goals and points with Bryan Trottier following in total points and Mike Bossy as the second goal-scorer with 53. Bobby Orr missed the whole season with an injury.
1989-1990 - Top 25 Salaries
Mario Lemieux had the highest NHL base salary but Wayne Gretzky led the NHL with 142 points and, by far, had more lucrative endorsement deals. They were the only 2 NHLers making over a million a year in base salary.
1990-1991 - Top 25 Salaries
Mario Lemieux, who missed most of the season, won his first Stanley Cup while falling behind Wayne Gretzky as the best-paid NHLer. 7 players were now making more than a million per season, up from 2 the previous year.
1991-1992 - Top 25 Salaries
Wayne Gretzky is still the best-paid NHLer but his LA Kings are eliminated in the first round while Mario Lemieux wins a second Stanley Cup in a row. There are now 16 NHLers making more than $1M per season.