Last week we counted down our choice for the top 50 Canadian hockey players in preparations for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. This week we look at our neighbors to the South as we evaluate the top 50 US born players. Approximately 23% of the NHL consists of American hockey players. This number has risen dramatically over the past fifteen years thanks in no small part that Wayne Gretzky getting traded to the LA Kings and promoting the great game of hockey south of the 49th.
Top 50 US Born Hockey Players 2013-14
We examined the top players and goaltenders and came up with our list of potential candidates for the US Olympic hockey team for 2014. Here is a look at some of the top players.
- Phil Kessel – forward Toronto Maple Leafs
- Johnathan Quick – goaltender Los Angeles Kings
- Patrick Kane – forward Chicago Blackhawks
- Bobby Ryan – forward Ottawa Senators
- Dustin Byfuglien – defense – Winnipeg Jets
- Ben Bishop – goalie Tampa Bay Lightning
- Keith Yandle – defense Phoenix Coyotes
- Cory Schneider – goaltender New Jersey Devils
- Joe Pavelski – forward San Jose Sharks
- Ryan Kesler – forward Vancouver Canucks
- Zach Parise -forward Minnesota Wild
- David Backes – forward St. Louis Blues
- Ryan Suter – defense Minnesota Wild
- James van Riemsdyk – forward Toronto Maple Leafs
- James Wisniewski – defense Columbus Blue Jackets
- Kyle Okposo – New York Islanders
- Brooks Orpik – defense Pittsburgh Penguins
- Ryan Miller – goaltender Buffalo Sabres
- Kevin Shattenkirk – defense St. Louis Blues
- Seth Jones – defense Nashville Predators
- Ryan Callahan – forward New York Rangers
- Dustin Brown – forward Los Angeles Kings
- Max Pacioretty – forward Montreal Canadiens
- Blake Wheeler – forward Winnipeg Jets
- Jack Johnson – defense Columbus Blue Jackets
- TJ Oshie – forward St. Louis Blues
- Jimmy Howard – goaltender Detroit Red Wings
- Jason Pominville – forward Minnesota Wild
- Alex Galchenyuk – forward Montreal Canadiens
- Torey Krug – defense Boston Bruins
- Derek Stepan – forward New York Rangers
- Ryan McDonagh – defense New York Rangers
- Craig Anderson – goaltender Ottawa Senators
- Danny DeKeyser – defense Detroit Red Wings
- Paul Stastny – forward Colorado Avalanche
- Tommy Wingels – forward San Jose Sharks
- John Carlson – defense Washington Capitals
- Zach Bogosian – defense Winnipeg Jets
- Cam Fowler – defense Anaheim Ducks
- David Legwand – forward Nashville Predators
- Matt Niskanen – defense Pittsburgh Penguins
- Paul Martin – defense Pittsburgh Penguins
- Tim Thomas – goaltender Florida Panthers
- Matthew Carle – defense Tampa Bay Lightning
- Chris Higgins – forward Vancouver Canucks
- Brandon Dubinsky – forward Columbus Blue Jackets
- Lee Stempniak – forward Calgary Flames
- Brandon Saad – forward Chicago Blackhawks
- Justin Abdelkader – forward Detroit Red Wings
- Beau Bennett – forward Pittsburgh Penguins
