Top 10 Highest Paid Ice Hockey Players 2015
Highest Paid Ice Hockey Players 2015
Ice hockey is one of the most popular sports in the cold countries, especially in the nations of the northern parts of the United States, and Canada. It is also widespread in European countries, such as Russia and Sweden, which have similar weather conditions. Like other sports of international standards, such as baseball or basketball, this game has a huge viewership, too, especially in America. There are many modern players who have received great success because of their powerful techniques with the hockey sticks. Ice hockey players earn huge salary from the teams of the National Hockey League. They also obtain substantial amounts from endorsing big brands. The most reputed players of ice hockey like Shea Weber or Sidney Crosby make enough from their salary and endorsements to bring them at par with the highest-paid athletes associated with other sports. So, let us have a look at the Top 10 Highest Paid Ice Hockey Players 2015.
Top 10 Highest Paid Ice Hockey Players 2015
1. Shea Weber
Shea Weber is presently playing at the National Hockey League in the defence position for the Nashville Predators. He is listed with 6 feet 4 inches height and 233 lb. weight in the NHL. He was drafted in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators as the 49th overall. Shea Weber is also a regular member of the Canadian national ice hockey team besides playing for the Nashville Predators. He is currently in a 14 years contract with the team after which he will be a free agent in 2026. He signed the contract for a total worth of $110,000,000 with the team which includes $68,000,000 as the signing bonus. Shea Weber has a guaranteed income of $110,000,000 with an average yearly salary of $7,857,143 till the contract ends. His team currently pays him $14,000,000 base salary with a cap hit of $7,857,143 in the 2014-15 NHL season.
2. Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby is presently playing at the National Hockey League in the centre position for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is listed with 5 feet 11 inches height and 200 lb. weight in the NHL. He was drafted in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins as the 1st overall. Sidney Crosby is also a regular member of the Canadian national ice hockey team besides playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is currently in a 12 years contract with the team after which he will be a free agent in 2025. He signed the contract for a total worth of $104,400,000 with the team. Sidney Crosby has a guaranteed income of $104,400,000 with an average yearly salary of $8,700,000 till the contract ends. His team currently pays him $12,000,000 base salary with a cap hit of $8,700,000 in the 2014-15 NHL season.
3. Ryan Suter
Ryan Suter is presently playing at the National Hockey League in the defence position for the Minnesota Wild. He is listed with 6 feet 1 inches height and 195 lb. weights in the NHL. He was drafted in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators as the 7th overall. Ryan Suter is also a regular member of the United States national ice hockey team besides playing for the Minnesota Wild. He is currently in a 13 years contract with the team after which he will be a free agent in 2025. He signed the contract for a total worth of $98,000,000 with the team which includes $25,000,000 as the signing bonus. Ryan Suter has a guaranteed income of $98,000,000 with an average yearly salary of $7,538,462 till the contract ends. His team currently pays him $11,000,000 base salary with a cap hit of $7,538,462 in the 2014-15 NHL season.
4. Henrik Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist is presently playing at the National Hockey League in the goaltender position for the New York Rangers. He is listed with 6 feet 1 inches height and 185 lb. weights in the NHL. He was drafted in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers as the 205th overall. Henrik Lundqvist is also a regular member of the Sweden national ice hockey team besides playing for the New York Rangers. He is currently in a 7 years contract with the team after which he will be a free agent in 2021. He signed the contract for a total worth of $59,500,000 with the team which includes $14,000,000 as the signing bonus. Henrik Lundqvist has a guaranteed income of $59,500,000 with an average yearly salary of $8,500,000 till the contract ends. His team currently pays him $11,000,000 base salary with a cap hit of $8,500,000 in the 2014-15 NHL season.
5. Alex Ovechkin
Alex Ovechkin is presently playing at the National Hockey League in the Left Wing position for the Washington Capitals. He is listed with 6 feet 3 inches height and 230 lb. weight in the NHL. He was drafted in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Washington Capitals as the 1st overall. Alex Ovechkin is also a regular member of the Russian national ice hockey team besides playing for the Washington Capitals. He is currently in a 13 years contract with the team after which he will be a free agent in 2021. He signed the contract for a total worth of $124,000,000 with the team. Alex Ovechkin has a guaranteed income of $124,000,000 with an average yearly salary of $9,538,462 till the contract ends. His team currently pays him $10,000,000 base salary with a cap hit of $9,538,462 in the 2014-15 NHL season.
6. Pavel Datsyuk
Pavel Datsyuk is presently playing at the National Hockey League in the forward position for the Detroit Red Wings. He is listed with 5 feet 11 inches height and 198 lb. weight in the NHL. He was drafted in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings as the 171st overall. Pavel Datsyuk is also a regular member of the Russian national ice hockey team besides playing for the Detroit Red Wings. He is currently in a 3 years contract with the team after which he will be a free agent in 2017. He signed the contract for a total worth of $22,500,000 with the team. Pavel Datsyuk has a guaranteed income of $22,500,000 with an average yearly salary of $7,500,000 till the contract ends. His team currently pays him $10,000,000 base salary with a cap hit of $7,500,000 in the 2014-15 NHL season.
7. Claude Giroux
Claude Giroux is presently playing at the National Hockey League in the Right Wing position for the Philadelphia Flyers. He is listed with 5 feet 11 inches height and 172 lb. weights in the NHL. He was drafted in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers as the 22nd overall. Claude Giroux is also a regular member of the Canadian national ice hockey team besides playing for the Philadelphia Flyers. He is currently in a 8 years contract with the team after which he will be a free agent in 2022. He signed the contract for a total worth of $66,200,000 with the team which includes $9,000,000 as the signing bonus. Claude Giroux has a guaranteed income of $66,200,000 with an average yearly salary of $8,275,000 till the contract ends. His team currently pays him $10,000,000 base salary with a cap hit of $8,275,000in the 2014-15 NHL season.
8. Philip Kessel
Philip Kessel is presently playing at the National Hockey League in the Right Wing position for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is listed with 6 feet height and 202 lb. weights in the NHL. He was drafted in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins as the 5th overall. Philip Kessel is also a regular member of the United States national ice hockey team besides playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is currently in a 8 years contract with the team after which he will be a free agent in 2022. He signed the contract for a total worth of $64,000,000 with the team which includes $22,500,000 as the signing bonus. Philip Kessel has a guaranteed income of $64,000,000 with an average yearly salary of $8,000,000 till the contract ends. His team currently pays him $10,000,000 base salary with a cap hit of $8,000,000 in the 2014-15 NHL season.
9. Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni Malkin is presently playing at the National Hockey League in the Centre position for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is listed with 6 feet 3 inches height and 195 lb. weight in the NHL. He was drafted in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins as the 2nd overall. Evgeni Malkin is also a regular member of the Russian national ice hockey team besides playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is currently in a 8 years contract with the team after which he will be a free agent in 2022. He signed the contract for a total worth of $76,000,000 with the team. Evgeni Malkin has a guaranteed income of $76,000,000 with an average yearly salary of $9,500,000 till the contract ends. His team currently pays him $9,500,000 base salary with a cap hit of $9,500,000 in the 2014-15 NHL season.
10. Eric Staal
Eric Staal is presently playing at the National Hockey League in the centre position for the Carolina Hurricanes. He is listed with 6 feet 4 inches height and 205 lb. weight in the NHL. He was drafted in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Carolina Hurricanes as the 2nd overall. Eric Staal is also a regular member of the Canadian national ice hockey team besides playing for the Carolina Hurricanes. He is currently in a 7 years contract with the team after which he will be a free agent in 2016. He signed the contract for a total worth of $57,750,000 with the team. Eric Staal has a guaranteed income of $57,750,000 with an average yearly salary of $8,250,000 till the contract ends. His team currently pays him $9,250,000 base salary with a cap hit of $8,250,000 in the 2014-15 NHL season.
While the salary that the players draw from their teams makes up a huge chunk of the salary, the brand endorsements also play a key role in boosting the income of the players. Sidney Crosby, for instance, earns an amount of $4.5 million from his endorsements of top brands like Gatorade, Bell, Reebok and Tim Hortons. On the other hand, Alex Ovechkin receives $3.5 million from his endorsements like Coca-Cola, Kraft Canada, Bauer and Gillette.