This blog post highlights NHL players who openly live out their Christian faith. Their belief in Christ helps them stay grounded, maintain perspective, and influence their performance both on and off the ice.

Faith Beyond the Rink: Christian NHL Players

(By Michelle Smithe, contributor/volunteer at docradio.org)

Faith in God is not something most fans immediately associate with the NHL. The league thrives on blistering speed, intense physicality, and constant pressure, with every shift analyzed and performance tracked in real time. Yet behind the scenes, and sometimes right in front of the cameras, many NHL players openly identify as Christians. They view faith as a steady anchor through championship highs, difficult slumps, and the daily demands of professional hockey.

This topic is fascinating because many NHL players openly share how Christian faith helps them stay grounded, humble, and purposeful. If encouragement through faith is something you value beyond sports, you can also find that perspective reflected through Christian music and programming at docradio.org (and yes, no blog post on faith is complete without a shameless plug for my volunteer family at DOC Radio😍).

Across the NHL, active and former players have spoken about how Christian faith shapes their approach to pressure, teamwork, family, and life after hockey. Below are notable examples, listed alphabetically by first name:

• Blake Lizotte (Pittsburgh Penguins): Has shared about his identity in Christ and how faith helped him through personal challenges, including losing his father at a young age.
• Brandon Carlo (Boston Bruins): Participates in team Bible studies and leans on faith during difficult seasons and major life moments.
• Cam Ward (Retired): Credited faith for maintaining focus and perspective, particularly during intense playoff runs.
• Charlie Lindgren (Washington Capitals): A leader in the Capitals’ active team chapel, regularly organizing locker room Bible studies and gathering teammates for prayer.
• Dan Hamhuis (Retired): Has shared how his Christian faith helped him face challenges both on and off the ice.
• David Booth (Retired): Credits faith with guiding him through the ups and downs of a long professional career.
• Eric Staal (Retired): Frequently discussed Christian faith as a grounding influence throughout his legendary playing days.
• Jakob Chychrun (Washington Capitals): Says his relationship with Jesus has transformed him as a teammate and person; he often shares verses like Colossians 3:17 to express gratitude.
• James Reimer (Ottawa Senators): A veteran who has lived openly for Christ throughout his career. He joined the Senators for the 2025–26 season (formerly with Buffalo).
• Jaromír Jágr (Retired/Czechia): A devout Orthodox Christian who revealed his spiritual side later in life, sharing that baptism and faith brought peace and stability to his career.
• Jaxson Stauber (Utah Mammoth/AHL Tucson): Displays Isaiah 26:4 on his goalie mask as a constant reminder to trust in God’s strength.
• Jaccob Slavin (Carolina Hurricanes): Widely known as one of the most vocal Christians in hockey, viewing his sport as a platform to glorify God through leadership and sportsmanship.
• Jordan Staal (Carolina Hurricanes): Actively involved in faith-based initiatives and team chapel activities throughout his long tenure as a captain.
• Kent Johnson (Columbus Blue Jackets): Uses faith to stay grounded through setbacks and has spoken publicly about his growth in Christ alongside teammate Owen Power.
• Karel Vejmelka (Utah Mammoth): Formerly with the Arizona Coyotes, the Olympic goaltender has displayed a cross on the back of his helmet as a quiet, proud symbol of his identity.
• Martin Fehérváry (Washington Capitals): Participates in team prayer groups and has shared that he prays before every faceoff to stay focused.
• Matt Duchene (Dallas Stars): Keeps faith and hockey intertwined by writing Bible verses and meaningful scripture references on his stick tape.
• Marián Hossa (Retired): Prayed before every game and continues his devotion in family life after retirement.
• Mike Fisher (Retired): A prominent voice with Hockey Ministries International who relied on prayer and Scripture throughout his career.
• Nick Foligno (Chicago Blackhawks): Credits faith with guiding his family and career decisions and regularly participates in HMI events.
• Owen Power (Buffalo Sabres): Has shared how his growing faith helps him remain calm under pressure and strive to live for Jesus while navigating the spotlight.
• Ryan Smyth (Retired): Frequently noted how faith helped keep him humble and grounded during his NHL career.
• Sergei Bobrovsky (Florida Panthers): Gave glory to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit following his 2024 Stanley Cup victory, thanking God for the strength to compete.
• Shane Doan (Retired): Practiced faith openly, quoted Scripture in team settings, and wrote Romans 8:28 on his sticks.
• Spencer Martin (Carolina Hurricanes): Features Jeremiah 29:11 on his mask and says faith helps him manage the immense pressure of professional goaltending.
• Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres): One of the league’s most outspoken believers, often quoting Jeremiah 29:11 and speaking about his desire to be a light for Christ on and off the ice.

Goaltender Karel Vejmelka wears a helmet featuring a cross.
Photo: Isaiah J. Downing, USA TODAY Sports, via Reuters.

Matt Duchene’s stick shows “Sinners Like Me,” Phil 4:13, and a cross.
Photo: Sports Illustrated.

These players represent just a portion of those who draw strength from Christian faith in the demanding world of professional hockey. Many connect through Hockey Ministries International chapels and resources, showing how belief continues to shape how they live and compete.

“Hockey is an unbelievable sport, but it’s not my identity or what I live for. I live for God, and I want to give Him the glory through hockey.” — Jordan Staal (Carolina Hurricanes)