Fun facts on Thrashers, NHL

The NHL’s youngest and oldest players would compete on the same ice tonight, if the oldest one weren’t hurt.

Thrashers defenseman Zach Bogosian (18 years, 3 months, 9 days) and Detroit Red Wings defenseman Chris Chelios (46 years, 8 months, 29 days) represent the age extremes among the league’s 721 players. Chelios is out until November with a broken leg.

Here are some other facts based on NHL rosters as of Wednesday at the league’s official media Web site:

Shortest player

Thrashers forward Brett Sterling and New Jersey forward Brian Gionta, both listed at 5 feet 7.

Sterling catches grief from his teammates about his height “every day,” he said. “Unfortunately, I can’t change that. I wish I could take a few inches from [6-2 teammate Colby Armstrong], maybe one or two. I get all the nicknames.” Teammates also like to put their palms atop his head and push down.

Youngest team

Phoenix, 25.6 years old on average

Oldest team

Detroit, 31.8

Average player age

28.0, almost half a year younger than the average Thrashers player. The Thrashers have the league’s ninth oldest roster, and their oldest player, Mathieu Schneider, 39, is the league’s seventh oldest player. “I want to be the oldest in the league,” said Schneider, who is inspired by Chelios.

“He trains like a mad man year-round,” Schneider said. “I don’t think I’ve met anyone who loves the game and loves to be around the rink as much as Chris does. He’s the first one at the rink every morning. He loves the game of hockey, and it’s contagious.”

Boston defenseman Zdeno Chara, 6-9

Tallest Thrashers player

Mike Hoffman, 6-5, held that distinction before being reassigned to Chicago on Thursday. Now it’s goalie Kari Lehtonen, 6-4. Hoffman’s height gives him an advantage in most fights, but not all of them. Sixteen NHL players are taller, including Minnesota tough guy Derek Boogard, 6-8, whom Hoffman fought in minors. “It’s kind of weird going to hit someone taller than you,” Hoffman said. “You’ve got to hit up instead of down or across.”

Shortest team

Detroit, barely over 6-0, about a quarter-inch shorter than the third shortest team, Atlanta

Tallest team

Washington, 6-2 1/2

Lightest team

Detroit, 198.2, four pounds lighter than the Thrashers, the 13th lightest team

Red, White and Blue

New Jersey has the most U.S.-born players, at nine, three more than the Thrashers.

Un-American

Minnesota and Ottawa each have only one U.S.-born player.

Oh, Canada

Calgary leads the way with 21 players born north of the border.

Not Windsor’s team

Detroit has the fewest Canadians, at seven, three fewer than the Thrashers.