It might be referred to as the Nationwide Hockey League, however it certain feels extra prefer it might be a global one. After all, the now-defunct Worldwide Hockey League was in operation for many years, however as a North American farm league for NHL groups. Nonetheless, there’s nothing purely North American concerning the NHL, not any longer anyway, not based mostly on a birth-country-by-country breakdown of the 712 gamers listed as lively on crew rosters initially of this 2024-25 season:
Canada – 291 (40.9%)
As one may anticipate, Canada nonetheless reigns supreme when it comes to which nation’s gamers are essentially the most well-represented within the NHL. Nevertheless, Canada’s lead is slowly however absolutely dwindling.
Of the 712 gamers on season-opening rosters, 291 of them, or 40.9%, are from Canada. Nevertheless, eight and a half years in the past, it was roughly half, whereas within the Eighties it was over three-quarters. For sure, it’s not only a Canadian recreation. It’s everybody’s now.
Notable Canadian Participant: Take your decide, however let’s go together with Edmonton Oilers ahead Connor McDavid, who appears to be the consensus greatest participant on this planet.
United States – 204 (28.7%)
Hockey is as standard because it’s ever been within the States, which isn’t simply emphasised by the variety of NHL gamers, however the success of its worldwide groups. Granted, two Olympic silver medals for the boys’s crew because the flip of the century is hardly ground-breaking, however the ladies’s crew is routinely a contender, successful the gold in South Korea in 2018. What’s possibly extra of a testomony of their power is their 5 straight Worldwide Ice Hockey Federation world titles from 2013-19.
Notable American Participant: Once more, 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 the primary Swedish participant within the NHL, again within the 1932-33 season. Nevertheless, he moved to Canada together with his household at a younger age. It took 4 extra a long time for defenseman Thommie Bergman to noticeably begin blazing trails for his fellow countrymen, primarily as a Detroit Purple Wing over an eight-year profession.
Notable Swedish Participant: Let’s go together with Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson, who has received the James Norris Memorial Trophy because the league’s greatest participant at his place… 3 times now.
Russia – 46 (6.5%)
Russian gamers unjustifiably get a foul repute for being enigmatic, however the expertise of people who make it to the NHL can’t be denied. Russian gamers have helped to form the trendy period of the NHL, from the first Soviet NHL participant in Victor Nechayev to defectors in the course of the Chilly Struggle led by Alexander Mogilny, to the Purple Wings’ well-known Russian 5. The specter of departures to the Kontinental Hockey League looms giant over the heads of basic managers, however, if the expertise is there, Russians will at all times be engaging choices on the NHL Entry Draft.
Notable Russian Participant: Three playoffs in the past, Tampa Bay Lightning ahead Nikita Kucherov led the league in playoff scoring en path to serving to his crew seize a second straight Stanley Cup. So, he’s pretty much as good a consultant as any, particularly as a former Hart winner himself (and the newest Artwork Ross Trophy winner because the main level scorer in 2023-24).
Finland – 37 (5.2%)
Albert Pudas was technically the primary Finnish-born NHLer.
He was additionally technically an authentic Toronto Maple Leaf, with the St. Pats
altering their identify throughout his first and solely season in 1926-27. He solely performed
4 video games, with out scoring a degree, although. Pudas was additionally raised in Canada,
that means middle Matti Hagman, who performed 4 seasons as an alternative, is credited as
the primary.
Notable Finnish Participant: Florida Panthers ahead Aleksander Barkov’s identify could sound Russian, however it’s truly his father’s, nearly actually. Russian Alexander Barkov Sr. performed professionally in Finland, the place Aleksander was born (and educated). Clearly, Finland did a great job, with Barkov successful the Frank J. Selke Trophy because the league’s prime 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 seen as a serious world energy. Reality be advised, because the official delivery of the Czech Republic within the early Nineties, they’ve at all times been up there. From 1995 till 2001, they medaled yearly at both the Olympics or the Worldwide Ice Hockey Federation World Championship.
Notable Czech Participant: Boston Bruins ahead David Pastrnak is the lively factors chief amongst Czech gamers (Jaromir Jagr is first all-time as if there was any doubt). There’s actually no threat of Pastrnak catching him although, with Jagr holding a 1,200-point lead over his compatriot.
Switzerland – 10 (1.4%)
Switzerland, maybe surprisingly, hovers across the 10-player mark. After all, to be truthful, that does embody Anaheim Geese rookie Mason McTavish, who grew up Canadian. He did play in Switzerland as an alternative of the Ontario Hockey League in the course of the shortened 2020-21 season, for what it’s value.
Notable Swiss Participant: Regardless of enjoying within the shadow of ex-teammate and defensive associate Shea Weber for his first few seasons, Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi has come into his personal as one of many league’s premier defensemen, successful the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2020.
Slovakia – 8 (1.1%)
Essentially the most well-known Slovakian NHL participant was additionally its first in Canadian-raised Stan Mikita. The Chicago Black Hawks nice handed away in 2018 as a Hockey Corridor of Famer and arguably one of many best of all time, regardless of the nation.
Notable Slovakian Participant: New Jersey Devils ahead Tomas Tatar presently holds the mantle because the lively main scorer amongst Slovakian gamers.
Germany – 7 (1.0%)
Traditionally talking, some might imagine Germany doesn’t have a big presence within the NHL. Germans even have a Stanley Cup-winning objective to their credit score although, with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Uwe Krupp ending a marathon three-overtime Recreation 4 in 1996.
Notable German Participant: Oilers ahead Leon Draisaitl could also be seen merely because the man who rides shotgun with McDavid. Nothing might be farther from the reality, seeing as he obtained drafted excessive (the very best of all Germans ever at No. 3 general in 2014, now tied with Ottawa Senators ahead Tim Stutzle) on his personal deserves. Moreover, he additionally received the Hart in 2020.
The Better of the Remainder of the World
Latvia – 5 (0.7%) : Buffalo Sabres ahead Zemgus Girgensons did make the All-Star Recreation that one season. Even when it drew consideration to the defective system, it nonetheless counts. Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins has in all probability been handed the torch at this level although.
Denmark – 4 (0.6%): Already a respectable starter within the NHL, Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen established himself as one of many league’s greatest in 2021-22.
Austria – 2 (0.3%): The title of most completed Austrian-born NHLer has been handed to Seattle Kraken ahead Andre Burakovsky, who represents Sweden internationally. Should you’re going for Austrian by and thru, then you definately’ve obtained Minnesota Wild ahead Marco Rossi.
Belarus – 2: Defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok makes this checklist because the Utah Hockey Membership’s sole consultant
Norway – 2: Wild ahead Mats Zuccarello stays one of many league’s premier little huge males, having put collectively a career-best 2021-22 season, throughout which he scored 79 factors in 70 video games.
France – 1 (0.1%): French ahead Alexandre Texier modified groups final offseason, getting traded to the St. Louis Blues by the Columbus Blue Jackets after scoring career-high 12-goal and 30-point totals in 2023-24.
Nice Britain – 1: Texier’s teammate, Nathan Walker, additionally makes this checklist. Regardless of being the primary Australian to ever play within the NHL), he was born in Wales… making him the one present British-born participant as an alternative.
Australia – 1: No concern… Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jordan Spence places Australia on the board. Granted, he grew up in Prince Edward Island, in Canada, after having spent his early childhood in Japan, however, having been born Down Beneath, he falls underneath Australia based mostly on this checklist’s standards.
Bulgaria – 1: Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev is a dual-citizen of Bulgaria and Russia, however he was born within the former nation.
Netherlands – 1: Whereas simply 27, Daniel Sprong has bounced round fairly a bit in his quick profession, now calling the Vancouver Canucks dwelling.
Slovenia – 1: Los Angeles Kings star Anze Kopitar can be the primary Slovenian to ever play within the NHL, setting a terrific instance for aspiring hockey gamers in his nation.
