The Hockey News (Magazine)
Since its inception in 1947, The Hockey News (THN) has stood as a cornerstone of hockey journalism, captivating fans with its unparalleled coverage of the sport. Founded by Ken McKenzie and Will Cote in Montreal, Quebec, THN quickly carved out its niche as the go-to source for comprehensive and authoritative hockey news. Over the decades, it has evolved from a modest publication into North America’s premier hockey magazine, boasting a loyal readership of 225,000 per issue and a robust digital presence with millions of online readers.
THN’s journey parallels the growth of the National Hockey League (NHL) itself, witnessing milestones such as the league’s expansion and the rise of hockey as a global phenomenon. With its headquarters now in Toronto, THN has not only chronicled the sport’s history but has also played a pivotal role in shaping its narrative. From pioneering moves like transitioning to full-colour printing in 2003 to embracing digital platforms with mobile and tablet apps, THN has consistently adapted to meet the evolving needs of its audience.
Beyond its print and digital editions, THN has expanded its footprint with specialized editions like the Draft Preview and Season Preview, offering in-depth analysis and predictions that resonate with hockey enthusiasts worldwide. Recognized as ‘The Bible of Hockey,’ THN continues to be celebrated for its in-depth coverage of NHL stars, prospects, and the business of hockey. Its legacy is marked not only by its insightful journalism but also by its cultural impact, making it an indispensable companion for hockey aficionados everywhere.
The Hockey News
| The Hockey News (Magazine) | |
| 1947 | |
| Editor | Ryan Kennedy |
| Categories | Sports |
| Founded | 1947 |
| Company | Roustan Media |
| Country | Canada |
| Based | Toronto, Ontario |
| Language | English |
| ISSN | 0018-3016 |
| Website | |
| https://thehockeynews.com/ | |
Ownership and Management
The magazine has changed ownership several times. It was previously owned by Transcontinental Media and the TVA Group before being purchased by Roustan Media on January 26, 2018.
History
The Hockey News was founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1947. It is the second-oldest North American publication devoted to a single sport, following Ring Magazine, a boxing publication founded in 1922. THN quickly developed a strong readership, with circulation reaching 20,000 copies within its first year. This number increased to 50,000 by 1967, coinciding with the NHL’s expansion from six to twelve franchises, and reached 100,000 by 1972.
Ken McKenzie assumed full ownership in 1968 after buying out Cote and controlled the publication until selling it to Whitney Communications in 1973. Despite the sale, McKenzie remained the publisher until 1980. Major changes occurred towards the end of his tenure, including the relocation of the magazine’s offices from Montreal to Toronto in 1979. Printing was primarily done in southwestern Ontario cities and Montreal until 2003 when it moved to Owen Sound, Ontario.
In 2001, Jason Kay replaced Steve Dryden as editor, overseeing significant changes, including transitioning to a full-colour publication in 2003 and a glossy magazine format with 8 x 10-inch pages in 2007.
In November 2014, Transcontinental sold THN to Quebecor Media’s Groupe TVA, making it a sister to the French-language sports network TVA Sports. In 2020, THN announced an editorial partnership with Sports Illustrated, featuring its content on SI.com and collaborating on team-specific websites.
COVID-19 Impact
In March 2020, following the NHL’s suspension of the regular season due to COVID-19, THN suspended publication and laid off eight full-time staff, including editor-in-chief Jason Kay. The magazine resumed full operations later, with Ryan Kennedy becoming editor-in-chief in the fall of 2022.
Brand Extensions
Over the years, THN has expanded beyond its magazine format. In the 1980s and 1990s, it launched The Hockey News TV Show on TSN and SportsNet. The magazine has also published several books and hosted a radio show on Sirius XM before moving to The Hockey News Podcast.
THN’s website was launched in the late 1990s, with a mobile platform debuting in 2009 and a tablet app added in 2011. The publication maintains a strong social media presence with hundreds of thousands of followers across Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Notable Special Issues
- Draft Preview: Breakdown of NHL’s top prospects ahead of the entry draft
- Season Preview: Awards predictions, standings prognostications, and more
- Ultimate Pool Guide: In-depth reports on NHL teams, depth charts, prospects rankings, and player stats for fantasy hockey
- Yearbook: Comprehensive analysis of the NHL, including team breakdowns, franchise information, predictions, and more
- Money and Power: Insights into the business of hockey and profiles of influential figures in the sport
In Popular Culture
In the 1977 film Slap Shot, Paul Newman’s character, Reggie Dunlop, mentions The Hockey News, highlighting its cultural significance. Known as ‘The Bible of Hockey,’ THN has been a trusted source for hockey information, particularly noted for its coverage of prospects. Founder Ken McKenzie was honored with the Elmer Ferguson Award by the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997, followed by Bob McKenzie in 2015.
All-time NHL Player Rankings
In 1997, THN commemorated its 50th anniversary with a list of the top 50 NHL players of all time, led by Wayne Gretzky. This list expanded into a book, The Top 100 NHL Players of All Time, in 1998. In 2007, THN published The Top 60 Since 1967, focusing on the post-expansion era, and in 2010, it released a revised list of the top 100 players of all time, categorized by position.
Here is the list of the top 100 NHL players of all time as published by The Hockey News in 1998:
- Wayne Gretzky
- Bobby Orr
- Gordie Howe
- Mario Lemieux
- Maurice Richard
- Doug Harvey
- Jean Beliveau
- Bobby Hull
- Terry Sawchuk
- Eddie Shore
- Guy Lafleur
- Jacques Plante
- Rocket Richard
- Mark Messier
- Ray Bourque
- Howie Morenz
- Stan Mikita
- Paul Coffey
- Patrick Roy
- Phil Esposito
- Johnny Bower
- Denis Potvin
- Bernie Geoffrion
- Red Kelly
- Brett Hull
- Brian Leetch
- Marcel Dionne
- Frank Mahovlich
- Glenn Hall
- Larry Robinson
- Dominik Hasek
- Steve Yzerman
- Ken Dryden
- Bryan Trottier
- Jari Kurri
- Dale Hawerchuk
- Mike Bossy
- Dickie Moore
- Darryl Sittler
- Peter Stastny
- Sergei Fedorov
- Borje Salming
- Johnny Bucyk
- Al MacInnis
- Dave Keon
- Joe Sakic
- Denis Savard
- Brad Park
- Tim Horton
- Charlie Conacher
- Joe Nieuwendyk
- Adam Oates
- Glenn Anderson
- Mats Sundin
- Pavel Bure
- Brendan Shanahan
- Dave Andreychuk
- Larry Murphy
- Teemu Selanne
- Patrick Marleau
- Doug Gilmour
- Johnny Gaudreau
- Jason Spezza
- Scott Stevens
- Jarome Iginla
- Zdeno Chara
- Mike Modano
- Eric Lindros
- Bobby Clarke
- Pavel Datsyuk
- Sidney Crosby
- Connor McDavid
- Nathan MacKinnon
- Steven Stamkos
- Drew Doughty
- Brent Burns
- Carey Price
- P.K. Subban
- Shea Weber
- Alex Ovechkin
- Evgeni Malkin
- Marc-Andre Fleury
- Patrick Kane
- Jonathan Toews
- Nikita Kucherov
- Auston Matthews
- Leon Draisaitl
- Artemi Panarin
- Mark Stone
- Elias Pettersson
- Cale Makar
- Mika Zibanejad
- Sebastian Aho
- John Carlson
- Brad Marchand
- Aleksander Barkov
- Victor Hedman
- Andrei Vasilevskiy
- David Pastrnak
- Roman Josi
This list represents the top players across different eras of NHL history, recognized for their skills, achievements, and impact on the sport.










