Greatest Canadian Athletes

SI Staff | Nov 16, 2012

Greatest Canadian Athletes /

Greatest Canadian Athletes

Georges St-Pierre

Georges St-Pierre is the UFC welterweight champion and has a 22-2 career record in MMA.

Wayne Gretzky

Known as "The Great One," the Ontario-born center scored an NHL-record 894 goals in his career.

George Chuvalo

Heavyweight boxer George Chuvalo participated in 93 fights from 1956 to 1973, going the distance two times -- albeit losing both decisions -- against Muhammad Ali.

Gary Gait

Widely recognized as the greatest lacrosse player of the modern era, Gary Gait was so good that some of the rules of lacrosse had to be changed.

Maurice Richard

Maurice -- the "Rocket" -- Richard was so good that the Hockey Hall of Fame waived the customary three-year wait in order to induct him in 1961.

Ferguson Jenkins

Jenkins pitched for four teams in his career, but the right-hander will always be remembered as a Cub. While in Chicago, Jenkins won the 1971 Cy Young and made the All-Star team three times.

Gordie Howe

With an ambidextrous shot, "Mr. Hockey" played in the NHL for five decades and played in 1797 games, the most all time.

Steve Nash

There are about two dozen Canadians currently in the NBA, but Steve Nash is undoubtedly at the top of the list. An eight-time All-Star, Nash averages 8.6 assists per game.

Bobby Orr

The hard-nosed defenseman is one of the most iconic figures in hockey history.

Cindy Klassen

A long track speed skater, Cindy Klassen added to her 2002 Salt Lake City bronze medal by winning five more medals in Turin in 2006.

1972 Team Canada

In the first-ever series involving NHL players, Team Canada defeated the formidable Soviet Union in the 1972 Summit Series. The Canadians went 4-3-1 in the eight-game series, which lasted nearly a month.

Mike Weir

PGA Tour veteran Mike Weir peaked in 2003 when he won the Masters and tied for third at the U.S. Open.

Mario Lemieux

Hailing from Montreal, Mario Lemieux made his home in Pittsburgh, where he played for 17 seasons and scored 690 goals.

Clara Hughes

Cyclist and speed skater Clara Hughes has won medals in the past three Winter Olympics, including a gold medal in the 5000 meters in 2006.

Donovan Bailey

Donovan Bailey was one of the stars of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, winning gold in the 100-meters and the 4x100 relay.

Larry Walker

In the late 1990's, Rockies outfielder Larry Walker was one of the best in the game. He finished his career with a .313 average and even hit an astounding .379 in 1999.

Patrick Roy

He was the goaltender no team wanted to meet in the playoffs. Patrick Roy won four Stanley Cups in his career and is arguably the greatest goalie of all time.

Lennox Lewis

The former heavyweight champion was born in London but held dual citizenship with Canada. Lewis had a 41-2-1 career record in the ring.

Sidney Crosby

Heralded as the future Gretzky, Sidney Crosby has struggled recently with injuries but still averaged 35.8 goals a season in his first six years.

Jacques Villeneuve

A Formula One driver from 1996 to 2006, Jacques Villeneuve won 11 of the 165 races in which he competed.

Gaetan Boucher

Speed skater Gaetan Boucher won silver at the 1980 Lake Placid Games and added to his collection with three more medals in 1984 -- two gold.

Justin Morneau

Justin Morneau has spent all 10 years of his MLB career with the Twins, where he has been a four-time All-Star and a one-time A.L. MVP.

Published Nov 16, 2012

SI STAFF