A World Renowned Canadian Sports Artist

About Tony harris

“My goal as an artist is to capture the true personality of my subject. I played OHL hockey as a goalie and was a QB for Bishop’s University and on some level, I think I have brought that competitiveness to my painting. I love the challenge of creating a lifelike image. I want the work to look as if the subject could literally step off the canvas at any moment and engage the viewer.”
– Tony Harris

Painting the NHL’s 100 Greatest Players

In late January of 2017, the National Hockey League, as part of the NHL Centennial celebrations, announced it has commissioned original portraits of each member of the 100 Greatest NHL Players presented by Molson Canadian. The special initiative pays tribute to a century’s worth of record holders, all-time leaders, captains, Stanley Cup champions, and Hockey Hall of Famers, immortalizing the greatest stars from the League’s first 100 years.

“All player portraits will be painted by renowned Canadian artist Tony Harris. Based in Ottawa, Ontario, Harris has been specially commissioned by the League to create 100 original portraits. Harris’ work will capture the character and spirit of each player in a one-of-a-kind 11×14 canvas. The oil-based paintings then will be digitized and posted online for fans around the world to experience and share.”

One Year - 100 Portratis

The National Hockey League and Montreal Canadiens on November 18th, 2017 hosted an event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the League. It was the first-ever public display of the 100 Greatest Player portraits done by Tony.

Representing the Original Six roots of the NHL, Hall of Famers were Ray Bourque (Boston Bruins), Yvan Cournoyer (Montreal Canadiens), Rod Gilbert (New York Rangers), Dave Keon (Toronto Maple Leafs), Frank Mahovlich (Detroit Red Wings), and Denis Savard (Chicago Blackhawks).

Events & Press Releases

The New York Times

The NHL needed 100 Portraits. So Tony Harris got to work.
By Stephen Smith

The Ottawa Citizen

Tony Harris’s year of painting furiously: The Ottawa artist has completed portraits of NHL’s 100 greatest.
By Andrew Duffy

NHL.com

The NHL gives artist the commission of a lifetime.
By Dave Stubbs

Rory Mccllroy

Rory McIlroy received Tony’s original painting of the 18th hole upon winning the 2019 RBC Canadian Open at the Hamilton Golf and Country Club.

Brittany & brooke Henderson

Brittany and Brooke Henderson with Tony. The painting was presented to Brooke as a gift for her participation in the Kevin Haime Kids to the Course Golf Classic.

Jean Béliveau

Jean Béliveau graciously signs Tony’s original work of the “Le Gros Bill” for a Montreal charity auction.

Tony with Dave Keon

Tony with Frank Mahovlich

Tony with Denis Savard

Mario Lemieux

Mario Lemieux and Tony with the painting commemorating “The Greatest Moment in NHL History” as voted by the fans. Lemieux scored 5 goals 5 different ways in one game.

The CBC's coverage of Tony

Ottawa artist painting NHL’s top 100 players of all time.

Bernie Parent

Bernie Parent Discussing his painting with Tony Harris at the Governor General’s residence Rideau Hall.

Three Cups In Two Terms

Tony was commissioned by the Chicago Blackhawks Hockey Club to commemorate the team winning three Stanley Cups in Barack Obama’s two terms as the US President. On February 18, 2016, Tony’s good friend and coach of the Blackhawks, Joel Quenneville, presented the work to Mr. Obama in the White House Oval Office.

Band of Brothers

Daniel Alfredsson, Chris Phillips, Chris Kelly and Chris Neale surprise Wade Redden with a painting commemorating his 1000th game before Ottawa’s final season game in Boston, May 28, 2013.

Sidney Crosby

Sidney Crosby with Tony and the painting for winning the Ted Lindsay Award for the 2013-14 NHL season, awarded annually to the league’s most outstanding player in the regular season as judged by the members of the NHL Players Association.