Two interesting stories came out this week. The first was on ESPN W, ESPN’s site dedicated to women’s sport. The article was titled “Ice needs leveling  in women’s hockey”. It discussed the IOC’s threat that women’s hockey needs a level playing field or it will be cut from the Winter Olympic Games. The two power houses, Canada and the United States, are left defending their decision to invest in the development of women’s hockey while smaller countries still refuse to greatly fund the sport. But there is progress in other countries.  Switzerland recently won bronze, beating Finland in a monumental victory for them. All over the board women’s hockey is making leaps and bounds.

The recent CARHA Hockey World Cup held in March was the first time women’s teams had a presence. Not just one but two divisions played to packed arenas. Fifteen years ago it was hard to find one girl per minor hockey team. Now most leagues field several all girls teams.

Progress should not be stopped. It should be encouraged. If the US and Canada’s men’s teams were in the same situation, the IOC would not threaten to remove their sport from the Games.

This brings us to the second article. The star ran an article called “Women’s Hockey showing signs of greater parity.” The article picks up where ESPN left off.  It shows the progress that has been made since the last Olympics. One-goal games have gone from four at the last Olympics to 10 at the recent championship in Burlington, VT. Four-goal games have gone from 11 to eight in the same time frame. Female hockey participation has risen in several European countries.

While no country is in position to challenge Canada or the US for the gold in Sochi, female hockey players have stepped up and accepted the challenge put before them. The IOC has been sent a clear message. Female hockey players don’t accept defeat. They make it work for them and use it to make them stronger.

When I started to put together this month’s top five blog I quickly realized that I would have to change the format a little bit. This month we look at the top 10 Greatest NHL Stars of all time. There are probably a few that you think should be on this list and there is no denying that Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin could easily make this list. But the truth is that they are still becoming the hockey greats that they will become. We will most likely see their names in the NHL Hall of Fame. So for now they are not going to make the list. So without further delay:

10. Phil Esposito

Before Wayne Gretzky, Esposito held the records for highest single season totals in goals and points. In total he racked up over 700 goals and 1,590 points. He also has 5 Art Ross Trophies and 2 Harts on the shelf. In his heyday Boston fans had bumper stickers that said “Jesus saves, Espo scores on the rebound.” He still holds the single season shots on goals record and only one player has even come close to beating it. (Ovechkin came within 100 shots.) Now Esposito has moved onto being a colour commentator and appearing on Denis Leary’s show Rescue Me as the battalion hockey team coach.

9. Guy Lafleur

Lafleur had a career that span 17 years and 5 Stanley Cups. He has won 3 Art Ross Trophies, 3 Lester B. Pearsons, 2 Hearts and a Conn Smythe. He holds the record with the Montreal Canadians in both assists and points.

8. Bobby Hull

Hull played 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks before a lucrative $1,000,000 contract lured him to the Winnipeg Jets of the WHA. He was the first player to score more than 50 goals in a single season and had 610 career goals in the NHL and 303 in the WHA.

7. Maurice “The Rocket” Richard

Arguably hockey’s greatest goal scorer, Richard is the first player to score 50 goals in a single season in just 50 games. In his career he scored 544 goals, winning 9 Stanley Cups and 1 Hart Trophy. He has been the focus of made for T.V movies and several books. It is no doubt that he is part of several top hockey legends lists.

6.  Mark Messier

Arguably one of the greatest leaders in the game, Messier spent the early part of his career in the shadow of Wayne Gretzky. In 1988 he took over captaincy when Gretzky was traded. He lead the team to its 5^th Stanley cup in ’90. With 2 Hart Trophies, a Conn Smythe and 6 Stanley Cups Messier is one of the most decorated players of the modern era, and his 1,756 career games and 1,887 career points rank him 2^nd all time in both categories

5. Maurice “The Rocket” Richard

Possibly one of the greatest goal scorer of all time, Richard had a desire to get to the net with the puck. He became the first player to score 50 goals in a single season, doing so in only 50 games, and was the first to score 500 goals in a career. In total he accumulated 965 points in 978 games. Many Habs fans consider the fact that he only won the Hart Trophy once discrimination because he was a French player. In 1955, after punching lines men, Richard was suspended. This created the “Richard Riot” in Montreal.  He has received the Order of Canada, was appointed to the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Has a railway station named after him, several statues and was inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame. When his number was retired in 1996 Richard received the longest standing ovation in the city’s history.

4. Mario Lemieux

Having played all 17 seasons in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins Lemieux was known as a gifted playmaker and a fast skater despite his size. He has won three Hart Trophies, six Art Ross Trophies and two Conn Smyth Trophies. In 2004, he was inducted into the Canada’s walk of fame. He became the third Hall of Famer to play after being inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Lemieux was given the honorable title of Knight from Quebec Premier Jean Charest and the Order of Canada from Michaelle Jean.

3. Gordie Howe

Famous for his scoring prowess, How is known for his physical strength and career longevity. He is the only player to have competed in the NHL in five different decades. He has won the Stanley Cup four times, the Hart Trophy six times and the Art Ross Trophy six times. In 2008 he received the first NHL Lifetime Achievement Award. He has an unofficial record named after him. The Gordie Howe hat trick consists of a goal, an assist and a fight in one game. In his career he played 2,421 games, had 1,071 goals and 1,518 assists. Outside hockey Howe has received the Order of Canada, was inducted to the Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Walk of Fame as well.

2. Bobby Orr

Orr revolutionized the position of defenceman with his speed, scoring and play-making abilities. During his career he racked up eight straight Norris Trophies, Three Harts, Two Conn Smythes, A Calder and two Art Ross Trophies. In the final achievement of his career, he was the MVP of the 1976 Canada Cup international hockey tournament. He now runs a player agent business that represents over 30 active NHL players. In 1979, Orr was invested as an officer in the Order of Canada, he has been honoured with a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame and was one of the eight bearers of the Olympic flag at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

1. Wayne Gretzky

Gretzky is undisputedly the greatest player to ever play the game. Upon his retirement he held 40 regular-season records, fifteen playoff records, and six All-Star records. He is the leading point-scorer in NHL history, as well as the only NHL player to total over 200 points in one season- a feat he accomplished four times. He has won the Lady Byng five times- more than any other player since the 1930’s. In total he has captured nine Hart Trophies, 10 Art Ross Trophies, five Lester B. Pearson Awards, and two Conn Smythe Trophies. He has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, been named an Officer of the Order of Canada and has a star on the Canada’s Walk of Fame. He also has the honour of having his jersey number retired league-wide by the NHL. During the Olympic in 2010, Gretzky was the final torchbearer and lit both Olympic cauldrons. By the numbers he has 2,875 career points with 894 regular season goals and 50 career hat tricks.