12 Shortest NHL Players Ever in League History

If you bet on hockey, you know that size isn’t everything, as proven by undersized stars like Cole Caufield of the Montreal Canadiens and Alex DeBrincat of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Whether it’s a team overcoming long NHL playoff odds or a smaller player making an impact, everyone loves an underdog story. Here are the shortest NHL players to ever play in the league.

Shortest Players in NHL History

12. Doug Palazzari, 5 feet, 5 inches, 169 pounds

After retiring from hockey in 1983, Doug Palazzari went back to coaching at Colorado College. In 1999, he was named executive director of USA Hockey, and in 2001, he was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.

11. Art Somers, 5 feet, 5 inches, 167 pounds

Art Somers skated for the New York Rangers during the 1932-33 season when they won their second Stanley Cup. Born in Winnipeg. Somers is an honoured member of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.

10. Carl Smith, 5 feet, 5 inches, 150 pounds

Carl Smith and his brother, Dalton, were both called up by the Detroit Red Wings in the 1943-44 season during World War II. Smith played just seven NHL games, scoring a goal and an assist.

9. Bobby Lalonde, 5 feet, 5 inches, 155 pounds

Despite his small stature, Bobby Lalonde had several productive seasons with the Vancouver Canucks, averaging around 15 goals and 40 points over five seasons. Lalonde helped the Canucks win their first-ever Smythe Division title in 1974-75 during their fifth season in the NHL.

8. Tony Poeta, 5 feet, 5 inches, 168 pounds

Tony Poeta played just one NHL game for the Chicago Blackhawks in 1951-52, but the 5-foot-5-inch forward won a Calder Cup in the AHL with the Cleveland Barons two years later.

7. Mush March, 5 feet, 5 inches, 154 pounds

Mush March played 17 seasons for the Chicago Blackhawks and achieved plenty of notable feats along the way. He scored the double-overtime winner to clinch the Stanley Cup in 1934, and he also scored the first goal at Maple Leaf Gardens. 

March participated in the ceremonial faceoff during Toronto’s final game at Maple Leaf Gardens in 1999 and dropped the same puck he used to score that historic goal.

6. Rod Lorrain, 5 feet, 5 inches, 156 pounds

Rod Lorrain appeared in five straight seasons for the Montreal Canadiens until sitting out the 1940-41 campaign. The Habs were desperate for forwards during the 1941-42 season in the middle of World War II, and brought back Lorrain. He was notably out of shape and lasted just four games with the club.

5. Rene Joliat, 5 feet, 5 inches, 140 pounds

Rene Joliat skated in just one NHL game, but his brother, Aurele, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame after winning three Stanley Cups and a Hart Trophy with the Montreal Canadiens.

4. Johnny Gagnon, 5 feet, 5 inches, 140 pounds

Johnny Gagnon always dreamt of playing for the Montreal Canadiens, and he finally got the chance in 1930, when the team offered him a tryout.

Gagnon, who weighed just 140 pounds, stuffed his pockets with 10 pounds of rocks during weigh-ins to impress the Canadiens brass, who had previously shunned him for being too light.

3. Hal Cooper, 5 feet, 5 inches, 155 pounds

Hal Cooper skated in eight games for the New York Rangers in 1944-45, but had a relatively solid AHL career. That same season, he finished second in goals for the Hershey Bears and followed up by leading the team in postseason scoring.

2. Art Alexandre, 5 feet, 5 inches, 150 pounds

Art Alexandre spent most of his hockey career playing for Montreal-based teams. He reached the pinnacle in 1931-32, when he played 10 games for the Canadiens and recorded two assists.

1. Nathan Gerbe, 5 feet, 4 inches, 176 pounds

Despite being the shortest player in NHL history, size never stopped Nathan Gerbe from excelling on the ice. He won the 2007-08 Hobey Baker Award as the top player in the NCAA after tallying 68 points in 43 games for Boston College.

Who Is the Shortest NHL Player of All Time?

Nathan Gerbe is the shortest player in NHL history, standing at 5 feet, 4 inches.

Who’s the Shortest NHL Player Right Now?

The shortest NHL player today is Trey Fix-Wolansky. The New York Rangers winger is listed at 5 feet, 6 inches.

Who’s the Shortest Goalie in the NHL, Past & Present?

The shortest goalie in NHL history is Roy Worters, at 5 feet, 3 inches. Worters played 484 NHL games, winning the Hart Trophy in 1929 and the Vezina Trophy in 1931. He was also inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1969.

By contrast, there are only two goalies under 6 feet today: Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators and Hunter Shepard of the Montreal Canadiens, who are both 5 feet, 11 inches.