It could also be known as the National Hockey League, however it positive feels extra love it may well be a global one. Of route, the now-defunct International Hockey League was once in operation for many years, however as a North American farm league for NHL groups. Still, there’s not anything purely North American concerning the NHL, no longer to any extent further anyway, no longer in line with a birth-country-by-country breakdown of the 712 avid gamers indexed as energetic on workforce rosters firstly of this 2024-25 season:
Canada – 291 (40.9%)
As one would possibly be expecting, Canada nonetheless reigns very best on the subject of which nation’s avid gamers are essentially the most well-represented within the NHL. However, Canada’s lead is slowly however no doubt dwindling.
Of the 712 avid gamers on season-opening rosters, 291 of them, or 40.9%, are from Canada. However, 8 and a part years in the past, it was once kind of part, whilst within the Nineteen Eighties it was once over three-quarters. Needless to mention, it’s no longer only a Canadian recreation. It’s everybody’s now.
Notable Canadian Player: Take your select, however let’s pass with Edmonton Oilers ahead Connor McDavid, who appears to be the consensus superb participant on the earth.
United States – 204 (28.7%)
Hockey is as widespread because it’s ever been within the States, which isn’t simply emphasised through the selection of NHL avid gamers, however the good fortune of its global groups. Granted, two Olympic silver medals for the lads’s workforce because the flip of the century is rarely ground-breaking, however the ladies’s workforce is automatically a contender, successful the gold in South Korea in 2018. What’s possibly extra of a testomony in their power is their 5 immediately International Ice Hockey Federation international titles from 2013-19.
Notable American Player: Again, there’s an abundance of riches, however Toronto Maple Leafs ahead Auston Matthews received the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2021-22.
Sweden – 66 (9.3%)
Technically, Gus Forslund was once the primary Swedish participant within the NHL, again within the 1932-33 season. However, he moved to Canada together with his circle of relatives at a tender age. It took 4 extra a long time for defenseman Thommie Bergman to significantly get started blazing trails for his fellow countrymen, essentially as a Detroit Red Wing over an eight-year profession.
Notable Swedish Player: Let’s pass with Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson, who has received the James Norris Memorial Trophy because the league’s superb participant at his place… 3 times now.
Russia – 46 (6.5%)
Russian avid gamers unjustifiably get a nasty popularity for being enigmatic, however the talents of those who make it to the NHL can’t be denied. Russian avid gamers have helped to form the trendy technology of the NHL, from the primary Soviet NHL participant in Victor Nechayev to defectors all over the Cold War led through Alexander Mogilny, to the Red Wings’ well-known Russian Five. The risk of exits to the Kontinental Hockey League looms huge over the heads of common managers, however, if the skill is there, Russians will all the time be sexy choices on the NHL Entry Draft.
Notable Russian Player: Three playoffs in the past, Tampa Bay Lightning ahead Nikita Kucherov led the league in playoff scoring en path to serving to his workforce seize a 2nd immediately Stanley Cup. So, he’s as excellent a consultant as any, particularly as a former Hart winner himself (and the newest Art Ross Trophy winner because the main level scorer in 2023-24).
Finland – 37 (5.2%)
Albert Pudas was once technically the primary Finnish-born NHLer.
He was once additionally technically an authentic Toronto Maple Leaf, with the St. Pats
converting their title all over his first and most effective season in 1926-27. He most effective performed
4 video games, with out scoring some degree, despite the fact that. Pudas was once additionally raised in Canada,
which means middle Matti Hagman, who performed 4 seasons as a substitute, is credited as
the primary.
Notable Finnish Player: Florida Panthers ahead Aleksander Barkov’s title would possibly sound Russian, however it’s in reality his father’s, virtually actually. Russian Alexander Barkov Sr. performed professionally in Finland, the place Aleksander was once born (and educated). Clearly, Finland did a excellent task, with Barkov successful the Frank J. Selke Trophy because the league’s best defensive ahead in 2023-24 (and 2020-21).
Czech Republic – 22 (3.1%)
Ever because the Czechs received gold on the 1998 Winter Olympics, they’ve been observed as a big international energy. Truth learn, because the respectable beginning of the Czech Republic within the early Nineties, they’ve all the time been up there. From 1995 till 2001, they medaled annually at both the Olympics or the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship.
Notable Czech Player: Boston Bruins ahead David Pastrnak is the energetic issues chief amongst Czech avid gamers (Jaromir Jagr is first all-time as though there was once any doubt). There’s in reality no possibility of Pastrnak catching him despite the fact that, with Jagr maintaining a 1,200-point lead over his compatriot.
Switzerland – 10 (1.4%)
Switzerland, possibly strangely, hovers across the 10-player mark. Of route, to be honest, that does come with Anaheim Ducks rookie Mason McTavish, who grew up Canadian. He did play in Switzerland as a substitute of the Ontario Hockey League all over the shortened 2020-21 season, for what it’s price.
Notable Swiss Player: Despite enjoying within the shadow of ex-teammate and defensive spouse Shea Weber for his first few seasons, Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi has come into his personal as one of the vital league’s premier defensemen, successful the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2020.
Slovakia – 8 (1.1%)
The most famed Slovakian NHL participant was once additionally its first in Canadian-raised Stan Mikita. The Chicago Black Hawks nice passed on to the great beyond in 2018 as a Hockey Hall of Famer and arguably one of the vital largest of all time, regardless of the nation.
Notable Slovakian Player: New Jersey Devils ahead Tomas Tatar lately holds the mantle because the energetic main scorer amongst Slovakian avid gamers.
Germany – 7 (1.0%)
Historically talking, some would possibly suppose Germany doesn’t have an important presence within the NHL. Germans in reality have a Stanley Cup-winning target to their credit score despite the fact that, with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Uwe Krupp finishing a marathon three-overtime Game 4 in 1996.
Notable German Player: Oilers ahead Leon Draisaitl could also be observed merely as the man who rides shotgun with McDavid. Nothing may well be farther from the reality, seeing as he were given drafted excessive (the easiest of all Germans ever at No. 3 total in 2014, now tied with Ottawa Senators ahead Tim Stutzle) on his personal deserves. Furthermore, he additionally received the Hart in 2020.
The Best of the Rest of the World
Latvia – 5 (0.7%) : Buffalo Sabres ahead Zemgus Girgensons did make the All-Star Game that one season. Even if it drew consideration to the erroneous gadget, it nonetheless counts. Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins has almost certainly been handed the torch at this level despite the fact that.
Denmark – 4 (0.6%): Already a valid starter within the NHL, Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen established himself as one of the vital league’s superb in 2021-22.
Austria – 2 (0.3%): The identify of maximum completed Austrian-born NHLer has been handed to Seattle Kraken ahead Andre Burakovsky, who represents Sweden across the world. If you’re going for Austrian thru and thru, you then’ve were given Minnesota Wild ahead Marco Rossi.
Belarus – 2: Defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok makes this listing because the Utah Hockey Club’s sole consultant
Norway – 2: Wild ahead Mats Zuccarello stays one of the vital league’s premier little large males, having put in combination a career-best 2021-22 season, all over which he scored 79 issues in 70 video games.
France – 1 (0.1%): French ahead Alexandre Texier modified groups ultimate offseason, getting traded to the St. Louis Blues through the Columbus Blue Jackets after scoring career-high 12-goal and 30-point totals in 2023-24.
Great Britain – 1: Texier’s teammate, Nathan Walker, additionally makes this listing. Despite being the primary Australian to ever play within the NHL), he was once born in Wales… making him the one present British-born participant as a substitute.
Australia – 1: No worry… Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jordan Spence places Australia at the board. Granted, he grew up in Prince Edward Island, in Canada, after having spent his early early life in Japan, however, having been born Down Under, he falls beneath Australia in line with this listing’s standards.
Bulgaria – 1: Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev is a dual-citizen of Bulgaria and Russia, however he was once born within the former nation.
Netherlands – 1: While simply 27, Daniel Sprong has bounced round slightly just a little in his brief profession, now calling the Vancouver Canucks house.
Slovenia – 1: Los Angeles Kings superstar Anze Kopitar could also be the primary Slovenian to ever play within the NHL, atmosphere an ideal instance for aspiring hockey avid gamers in his nation.
