{"id":152,"date":"2025-01-31T19:29:29","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T19:29:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/hr-blog\/?p=152"},"modified":"2025-11-13T18:21:57","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T18:21:57","slug":"nhl-top-20-defensemen-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/hr-blog\/2025\/01\/nhl-top-20-defensemen-rankings\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 20 NHL Defensemen of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(last updated on November 13, 2025)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In ice hockey\u2019s dynamic and physically demanding game, defensemen serve as the backbone of a team\u2019s success, balancing defensive responsibility with offensive contributions. Positioned on the blue line, these players are tasked with protecting their own zone, blocking shots, and initiating breakouts, while also contributing to scoring with precise shots and playmaking ability. These NHL defensemen rankings will celebrate the greatest defensemen in NHL history, highlighting their remarkable achievements, versatility, and impact on the sport. Players are listed in alphabetical order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\tRay Bourque<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t

Full Name:<\/strong> Raymond Jean Bourque<\/p>\n\n\n

Position<\/strong>: D \u2022  Shoots<\/strong>: Left\n<\/p>\n\n\n

5-11<\/span>, 219lb<\/span> (180cm, 99kg) <\/p>\n\n\n

Born:<\/strong> December 28<\/a>, 1960<\/a> <\/span> (Age: 63-355d)<\/span> in Montreal, Quebec<\/a> <\/span> ca<\/span> <\/p>\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: Boston<\/a>, 1st round (8th overall), 1979 NHL Entry<\/a> <\/p>\n

Amateur Teams<\/strong>: Sorel Black Hawks<\/a>, Trois Rivieres Draveurs<\/a>, Verdun Black Hawks<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Hall of Fame<\/strong>: Inducted as Player 2004 (Full List<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

Relatives<\/strong>: Son Chris Bourque<\/a> <\/p>\n

Twitter:<\/a><\/strong>\n @RayBourque77<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n