How Fast Do Hockey Players Skate? | Who is the NHL Fastest Skater?
What are the most basic capabilities that an ice hockey player must possess? Being able to skate fast was the top one on this list. If you can’t skate fast, you can’t make ice hockey a career because the fast skaters will trounce you. Hockey is a high-speed game. So, how fast do hockey players skate?
The fastest hockey players at their fastest can skate upward or reach 40 km/h or 25 mp/h. These flying skaters can complete a loop around the ice in nearly 13 or 14 seconds. Only the fastest skaters can touch this speed. During the gameplay, most professional skaters can skate in the range of 20 to 25 mp/h or 30 to 40 km/h. Recreational best skaters are below the speed of professional skaters.
Let’s break down how fast hockey players skate and who is the NHL’s fastest skater in 2022.
Table of Contents
Winners of the Fastest Skater at All-Star Skills Competition
The NHL has a competition to determine the fastest skater. In this All-Star Skills Competition, the players must skate around the ice for a whole lap. The fastest player will take less time than the others and complete the task before them. So, the one to take the least time becomes the winner.
The maximum speed the players have reached in this competition is 25mp/h or 40 km/h. The table below shows the winners from the last five years.
| Year | Player | Time in Seconds |
| 2022 | Jordan Kyrou | 13.55 |
| 2020 | Mathew Barzal | 13.175 |
| 2019 | Connor McDavid | 13.378 |
| 2018 | Connor McDavid | 13.454 |
| 2017 | Connor McDavid | 13.31 |
| 2016 | Dylan Larkin | 13.172 |
In the 2022 NHL All-Star Skill Test, Jordan Kyrou won the fastest skater competition. (source)
Who is the Fastest Skater in the NHL?
Connor McDavid won the all-star skills competition three times, so most people consider him the fastest skater in the world, but according to recent results, Jordan Kyrou is the fastest skater in the year 2022. Here are the results of the 2022 all-star skills competition:
| Rank | Player Name | Team | Time in Seconds |
| 1 | Jordan Kyrou | St. Louis Blues | 13.550 |
| 2 | Adrian Kempe | Los Angeles Kings | 13.585 |
| 3 | Chris Kreider | New York Rangers | 13.664 |
| 4 | Connor McDavid | Edmonton Oilers | 13.690 |
| 5 | Cale Makar | Colorado Avalanche | 13.834 |
| 6 | Kyle Connor | Winnipeg Jets | 13.851 |
| 7 | Dylan Larkin | Detroit Red Wings | 14.116 |
| 8 | Evgeny Kuznetsov | Washington Capitals | 14.559 |
Who is the Fastest Player ever in the NHL?
In the history of the NHL, Bobby Hull is the fastest player, with a speed of 29.7 mph or 47.8 km. His name is there in the Hockey Hall of Fame. This is a considerable number, a breakneck speed!
There is also a team in his name, the Winnipeg Jets. Bobby Hull was also called the Golden Jet because of his blonde hair, which would race through the wind while skating.
Factors impacting skating speed
Many factors are involved in skating speed. Let’s have a quick peek at them.
- Skate Blade: Players use shorter blades as they can skate faster than those who use long blades. It’s because shorter blades provide less resistance to ice, helping players to glide more swiftly.
- Ice Type: Ice nature also affects skating speed. Harder ice offers fast skating than softer ice.
- Body Weight: Lightweight skaters skates faster than heavy-weight skaters as heavy-weight skaters have more mass to skate against the ice, which makes them slow.
- Skating technique: Skaters who apply good skating technique skate swiftly and effortlessly over the ice as compared to those who do not have good skating technique.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast do speed skaters go?
Speed skaters are faster than hockey players. Their name itself suggests high speed. They can skate at a maximum speed of 35 mph or 55 kph. They have particular types of skates and suits for them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, NHL fastest players, at their absolute fastest, can reach to or upwards of 40 km/h, equal to a car covering 40 km/h at moderate speed. Hockey players are becoming faster with the improving skills, training, effort, equipment, and practice. However, only a few hockey players can reach this milestone. Being a faster player is a part of hockey; however, it helps in the line change, taking the puck, and avoiding checks.
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