Regardless of your upbringing, hockey can be an enthralling game to watch live or on TV. It's effortless, fast, messy and occasionally bloody; you probably have seen hockey players bleed through their eyes—that’s called dedication.
With the recent inclusion of the Vegas Golden Knights, the 2017-2018 NHL season will see a total of 31 teams. While the season just began in October and the end of the season is far away, every team will be eyeing that Stanley Cup.
Some of the players are rookies, just playing their first game in the NHL, while others are seasoned veterans. While the newbies might be just focusing on the game, others have signed enough contracts to venture into other aspects of life on the side—lavish vacations, real estate, car collections, and so on.
For example, Henrik Lundqvist is not only a professional hockey player but also a car and wardrobe enthusiast; he was labeled Gotham’s most stylish athlete at the 2013 New York Style Awards and owns Bread and Boxer, which produces undergarments. Anze Kopitar owns two adjacent properties worth $10 million near the Pacific Ocean. Dion Phaneuf owns a house on Prince Edward Island—this grandiose property was the location of his wedding reception to the Canadian actresses Elisha Cuthbert.
And some of the players are chiefly car enthusiasts and collectors; some individuals own seven and some more than three times that. Let’s take a look at the 20 NHL players who drive the sickest cars:
20 Steven Stamkos—Fisker Karma Hybrid
Designed by the Denmark-based car aficionado Henrik Fisker, the Fisker Karma Hybrid looks tantalizing not only from the outside but also on the inside. This plug-in hybrid beauty is equipped with a 2-liter 16-valve engine and two motors, generating 260 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. Despite the relatively low horsepower, it still sprints to 60 mph from standstill in 5.9 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph. Being a hybrid, it gives you 52 mpg-equivalent fuel economy for city and highway combined when running on battery; gasoline-only mode gives you 20 mpg. With a price tag hovering over the early six-figures, this car—from front to rear and side to top—pleases not only aesthetics junkies but also your wallet. As the Fisker Karma is currently out of production, Steven Stamkos made the right choice to buy this vehicle earlier.
19 Sidney Crosby — Tesla
Sid the Kid also owns a Tesla. While the Range Rover Sport might have given him the space he needed, Tesla provides a beautiful, well-built interior. Although all Tesla models blend in at some point—and that’s not to criticize Tesla at all; the exteriors of Tesla still look very sharp and seductive—I have learned to not be fooled by the unassuming exteriors. Considering they're environment-friendly cars, the price tag of $100,000 isn’t that big of a deal for the above-average person, let alone a renowned hockey player. This is especially true considering that these near-$100,000 Teslas can also obtain a sub-3.0-second 0 to 60-mph time, putting to shame some of the so-called “sports cars.” While it’s rather difficult to identify the model of Crosby’s Tesla, he couldn’t have gone wrong with any Tesla model.
18 Tyler Seguin—Maserati GranTurismo S
Tyler Seguin’s four-seat two-door Maserati GranTurismo S coupe, in matte black paint, is the sports version of the original—it's the most enhanced version of the original. While he also has a Jeep Wrangler with its own decorations of a floodlight and a grill, only the Maserati (and another one!) made it on this list. With a base price tag of $132,000, the GranTurismo S looks sporty and attractive; with a 4.7-liter V8 engine mated with a six-speed automatic transmission, generating around 433 hp and 361 lb-ft of torque, it feels powerful: it can sprint to 60 mph from standstill in less than five seconds. The sound of the engine is commendable; the nimble beauty roars beautifully. Compared to GranTurismo, the S version is better and efficient—exactly what the Dallas Stars’ Tyler Seguin wants.
17 Alex Ovechkin—Mercedes S65 AMG
According to an interview by russianmachineneverbreaks.com, Alex Ovechkin has seven cars over in the U.S. and in Russia. His parents still don’t understand why he needs that many cars, and when asked to pick a favorite, he couldn’t. For him, that would mean insulting the remaining cars. But we do know one thing for sure: he likes powerful cars, regardless of the model or make. Some years ago, he had a matte blue 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG. In 2016, Ovechkin pulled up next to a fan wearing an Ovechkin jersey in his white Mercedes S65 AMG, as recounted by Chris Gordon. The fan missed seeing Ovechkin and also the $225,000-plus beauty generating 621 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, capable of going to 60 mph from rest in around 4 seconds.
16 Evgeni Malkin—Porsche 911 Turbo
The Russian hockey player plays center and serves as an alternate captain to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He seems to enjoy his soft-top Porsche 911 Turbo, which does look seductive with its white body and black roof and wheels. It’s also a convertible, so he can always drop the top down and ride along under the sun when his heart desires. He also had a vintage ducktail spoiler added to the 911 Turbo. With a base price of $160,000, the vehicle has optional and further luxuries that can carry the price to a rocket-high $200,000. Porsche 911 Turbos, in general, have a very sporty look, and the performance is excellent as usual; even the 2010 Porsche has a sub-four-second 0 to 60-mph time. Depending on his mood, Malkin can drive either the Turbo or the Cayenne to practice.
15 Ryan Getzlaf—Mercedes-Benz S63
The “dad side” of Getzlaf drives a Mercedes-Benz S63. After getting married in 2010, he's had three kids, and he uses the S63 when traveling with them. The price of a Mercedes S63 ranges from as low as $145,000 to as high as $250,000. While the year of his S63 is unknown, even the 2010 S63 is equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine capable of producing 518 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. Traveling with his kids, he probably doesn’t unleash all the fury of that powerful engine. While the fuel economy of a Mercedes-Benz S63 might be on the low side compared to others on this list, for a classy family man, this is an apt car. But don’t be fooled just because he drives a Mercedes: in the past, he's owned a Lamborghini Gallardo, and continue reading to see what he owns now!
14 Vincent Lecavalier—Ferrari 360 Spider
This is another one of those players who just retired in 2016 but has a couple of cool cars. Being drafted first overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, his NHL career spanned nearly 28 years. While he owns a Hummer H2, only the Ferrari 360 Spider made the list. Let’s look at it. The Spider gained about 130 lb due to the aluminum construction throughout to make the convertible a reality; but the convertible retains the interior of the coupe. You can clearly see the 3.6-liter V8 engine through the transparent body. With the curvilinear waistline, the car looks amazing when the top is lowered. In fact, the mechanism of the roof’s folding was so refined and mechanical, that it was dubbed “a stunning 20-second mechanical symphony.” If nothing else, this is simply a timeless car.
13 Tyler Seguin—Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG
Tyler Seguin’s NHL career started when he was selected second overall in the draft by the Boston Bruins. Currently, he plays center as the alternate captain for the Dallas Stars. While you probably already saw the $130,000-plus Maserati, let's look at his Mercedes-Benz G-Class AMG. The mid-size, heavy-duty luxury SUV looks very muscular and powerful. While the Maserati meant to give him the sporty feel, this one brings out his inner beast with the tinted windows and a matte finish in black. The interior, on the other hand, is comfortable and approachable. While the base price of such a car is around $218,000, according to a Tumblr post, Seguin’s cost around $300,000. Whatever the cost may be, the 25-year-old is making enough money early on in his career to afford such luxuries.
12 Henrik Lundqvist—2010 Bentley Continental GTC Supersports
The New York Rangers’ goaltender, Henrik Lundqvist, is a prolific player, both in the arena and with the ladies. His portfolio doesn't stop with being an Olympic gold medalist or having some of the best records, though—he's also a car enthusiast, a good one. While not the case anymore, the GTC Supersports was the fastest production Bentley of 2010, with a top speed of 204.4 mph and a sub-3.7-second 0 to 60-mph time. It generated 621 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. The 2010 GTC SuperSports had a ZF 6HP26A Tiptronic automatic system, which allowed it to reduce shift times by 50%. Lundqvist also had his taillights and windows tinted, rendering the beast with an even more aggressive look. Price of the car? North of $270,000.
11 Teemu Selanne—2009 Ferrari F430 Scuderia
While he officially retired in 2014, Teemu Selanne’s name appears on this list because he has more cars than the number of seasons he played in the NHL—and he played through 21 seasons. The F430 Scuderia is just one of the 23 cars that this 47-year-old hockey player owns in the US and Finland combined. The Scuderia is an improved version of the F430, with it being 220 lbs less heavy. The 4.3-liter V8 engine of Scuderia can produce north of 500 hp and 347 lb-ft of torque, attaining a top speed of 198 mph. For a retired hockey player, the price tag of $260,000 is just a drop in the bucket. In an interview with Teknavi Media, he states he couldn’t have asked anything more from the Ferrari F430 Scuderia.
10 Ryan Getzlaf—Ferrari 458 Italia
Told you we 'd be back with Ryan Getzlaf. While he sold his Lamborghini Gallardo in an auction for around $90,000, his sporty side bought a Ferrari 458 Italia. The 458 Italia is a successor to F4300. (The 458 itself was replaced by the 488 in 2015.) The two-seater coupe has not only an innovative body with the nicely elongated headlights and side curves but also an over-the-top interior. With a 4.5-liter V8 engine, it churns out 570 hp and around 400 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in around 3.4 seconds from rest. It also has a top speed of 202 mph and a starting price tag of a whopping $257,000. While the Benz S63 was for traveling with his family, this is probably only for him.
9 Henrik Lundqvist—Lamborghini Gallardo
You already saw that Lundqvist owns a Bentley Continental GTC Supersports, so of course, the Lamborghini Gallardo was also going to add its name to this list. Equipped with a 5.2-liter V10 engine, the two-seater sports car pumps out 552 hp and around 400 lb-ft of torque, capable of attaining a top speed of 202 mph; its 0 to 60-mph time is under 3.5 seconds. Lundqvist is often seen driving the Gallardo to work. Because he was bored with the black color, he had it painted in gunship gray with a matte finish; the cost of the Gallardo ranges from $181,000 to $241,000. Oh, and you can easily spot his Gallardo on the road if you ever happen to be driving near him: instead of the cursive Lamborghini, his says "Lundqvist."
8 PK Subban—Bugatti Veyron
A defenseman for the Nashville Predators, he signed a contract of $72 million in 2014 for eight years. A year or so later, he announced his commitment to raise $10 million for the Montreal Children’s Hospital by 2022. While he drove his rather modest 2016 Ford Explorer to that philanthropic event, he hasn’t forgotten how to live like a successful athlete. He's the owner of a black and cherry Bugatti Veyron, which costs around $2.25 million. The Bugatti Veyron produces a whopping 1,200 hp and 1,106 lb-ft of torque! Until the advent of the Bugatti Chiron, the Veyron was the fastest street-legal car in the world, reaching an average top speed of 254.04 mph. (According to Wikipedia.org, Venom GT was 2.63 mph faster, but that was measured in only one direction and thus, was not officially recognized.)
7 Sidney Crosby—Range Rover Sport
The captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, aka “The Next One,” Crosby, was selected first overall by the Penguins. Playing center, he's arguably one of the best players in the history of the NHL. While others have more exotic cars, his midsize luxury SUV, the Range Rover Sport, is still spot-deserving. While no Bentley Bentayga, its 5-liter V8 engine can still output 540 hp—enough power to thrust the car to 60 mph from rest in just 4.5 seconds. The Range Rover Sport has a good fuel economy, in general (or, at least better than Bentayga), and the spacious interior allows him to do a lot more than what the other cars on this list would be capable of doing. He once had the Stanley cup riding shotgun in his Range Rover Sport.
6 Artemi Panarin—Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT
The winger for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Russian player Artemi Panarin, extended his contract by two years for $6 million a year. Nicknamed as the “Bread Man” because his last name sounds similar to "Panera Bread," Panarin stays humble with his Jeep Grand Cherokee. Its cost is relatively cheap—it only costs around $65,000. Its features include a 6.8-liter V8 engine mated with an eight-speed automatic with manual shifting mode transmission. The engine can churn out 475 hp and takes the 5,300-lb SUV from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. That’s impressive—and exactly what’s needed for Panarin should he ever need to transport his own gears and equipment, or maybe even the Stanley Cup, to the arena. While currently, he might be focused on his career, he can choose from a wide array of cars next time.
5 Tuukka Rask—BMW 525d
Drafted 21st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs, he's currently the goaltender for the Boston Bruins. According to legendaryvideos.com, he seems to have a penchant for Germany-based cars, particularly BMWs; he drives a black BMW 525d around the Boston area. The BMW525d has a classic, timeless BMW exterior and interior, giving stunning performance, flexibility, and reliability. While not as impressive as some of the others on this list, the engine under the hood can generate 218 hp, and take the car from 0 to 60 mph in under 7 seconds. Arguably, for a player who signed an eight-year, $56 million contract with the Bruins, this car is not nearly as lavish as some of the others here. But it's still something, a BMW, that is.
4 Nick Bonino—2010 Jaguar XF
Signing a four-year, $16.4 million contract, Nick Bonino plays center for the Nashville Predators. Before that, he played for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Before then, he was traded multiple times to various teams. His car story is also a little similar. According to usahockeymagazine.com, he had an Audi S4 before he traded that for the Jaguar XF; before that, he had a maroon Hyundai Santa Fe, which he's still dearly fond of. While not as flashy as some of the others listed here, the XF is still a powerful luxury sedan. Its 4.2-liter V8 engine churns out 480 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque, thrusting it from rest to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds. The interior gives off the aroma of sport, making it desirable for the driver, while the 18-mpg-in-city and 25-in-highway fuel economy make it bearable in the wallet.
3 Evgeni Malkin—2013 Porsche Cayenne
The Russian hockey player Evgeni Malkin, aka "Geno," seems to have a passion for white Porsches—he owns a 2013 Porsche Cayenne and was also seen in a white Porsche 911 Turbo. The 2013 Porsche Cayenne is a midsize luxury SUV with a 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 300 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque in the base model; its 0 to 60-mph time is around seven seconds. With an average combined fuel economy of 18mph and a top speed of 170 mph, motortrend.com gave it a 4/5. While the price of the Cayenne is nothing for a player like Evgeni Malkin, it’s the passion that counts. After retirement, he's thinking of collecting vintage cars, as he's always been fascinated by cars since his childhood.
2 Cory Schneider—Audi A7 3.0 Quattro
Cory Schneider signed a seven-year, $42 million contract extension as the goaltender of the New Jersey Devils. Although he had the Audi A7 3.0 Quattro as far back as 2012, as detailed by Derek Jory in “A day with Schneider,” with two kids being born in the timeframe of 2015 through 2017, the Audi seems like a perfect fit for him. And it is. Audis are generally known to be very favorable in the market, providing a package full of luxury, performance, and economy. Audi A7 came out in the market in 2010, and the A7 3.0 Quattro—equipped with automatic transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive—generates 310 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque, reaching a top speed of 155 mph. By the way, according to nj.com, he also has a Toyota 4Runner, which didn’t make it on this list.
1 Jonathan Quick - 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, Jonathan Quick, plays as the goaltender for the Los Angeles Kings. He drives a black 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class in the streets of Los Angeles. His car is equipped with a 4.6-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that generates a powerful 516 lb-ft of torque and 429 hp. The German manufacturer’s S-Class is a symbol of status, luxury, and style. With an exterior that hints at an aroma of beauty and class and with an interior that keeps things simple yet exotic, Quick made the right choice by choosing this. The price of 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is also reasonable, starting from $91,000 and climbing to the height of one’s imagination.