The golden age of hockey could be any decade depending on when you grew up. I didn’t discover hockey until my teenage years, which happened to be the 1980s. I think there is a pretty valid argument that the true “Golden Age” of the NHL occurred during that time.

There were so many Hall of Fame careers that began in the 1980s that it is almost unfair to list the top five fantasy players. The foundation was laid in the 1970s for a game that would get faster and more geared towards the offense.

The New York Islanders owned the first four years of the decade, but were supplanted by the Edmonton Oilers four years later as the new dynasty in the NHL. Scoring records across the board would fall and the quality of play reached heights that had never been seen before, and may never be seen again.

The 1980s were chock full of bad fashion, bad haircuts and awesomely bad television shows (except for Miami Vice and Magnum P.I., they were chock full of just awesome). Though it might be just as fun to rank the mullets on ice in the 1980s, here are the top five fantasy hockey options.

5. Paul Coffey-Considered by many to be the second coming of Bobby Orr, Coffey was a thoroughbred on the ice, using superior skating skills to dance and weave up the rink. Though it’s hard to call him a journeyman, Coffey ended up playing for nine different teams over his Hall of Fame career. Coffey’s stats for the decade are 283 goals and 669 assists for 952 points in 733 games.

4. Peter Štastný-Though his game is just as awesome as the random accents atop his last name Štastný could quite possibly be considered one of the top two or three players of all time had he not been playing during the 1980s. Seven consecutive seasons with100-points and over while averaging 1.4 points per game during the decade just scratch the surface of his amazing career.

3. Mike Bossy-Had his knees held up, Mike Bossy could well have challenged Gordie Howe’s goal scoring record before anyone else. Bossy started his career off with nine consecutive 50-goal seasons (an NHL record), but retired after the 1987 season due to his failing knees. His stats for the seven years he did play were staggering: 400 goals 417 assists for 817 points in only 524 games.

2. Mario Lemieux-Another fellow who could have benefitted from playing during another era was Mario Lemieux. “Super Mario” had the size, skill and hands to be the most dominant and accomplished player ever. He was certainly on track to rewrite the record book until injuries and cancer derailed large chunks of his amazing career. His numbers for the decade would make a veteran NHL video gamer blush at the gaudiness. 345 goals and 493 assists for 838 points in only 427 games. I’ll save you the math. That’s 1.963 points per game.

1. Wayne Gretzky-Obviously this guy was the gold standard for the decade, and pretty much for the history of the league. Nobody is even close, and because of how the game has evolved, no one will ever approach the numbers that Gretzky put up. Lemieux had a legitimate shot because of the era he played in, but still couldn’t come close. Probably the most remarkable thing about Gretzky is that he achieved his numbers in an ultra-violent sport with the build of a soccer player. That is why there will always be only one “Great One”.