The ultimate roster of the finest best American hockey players in history.

Over the years, hockey has mostly been known for its Canadian players. But nowadays, it’s becoming more inclusive with players from all around the world joining in. Even though Canada has had a big influence, American players have always been important too, especially in the National Hockey League. Some of the best American hockey players have made significant contributions to the sport’s history and success. The ultimate roster of the finest best American hockey players in history includes these remarkable athletes.

Let’s embark on our journey into the achievements of the best American hockey players of all time, exploring the top 10 and acknowledging some other noteworthy mentions. Our evaluation will extend beyond their NHL accomplishments to encompass their impact in collegiate and international hockey. Without further delay, let’s begin delving into their achievements.

Although it might seem too quick to call someone one of the best American hockey players of all time after only five NHL seasons, Auston Matthews unquestionably secures his place on this prestigious list. Being the seventh American selected first overall, his exceptional ability to score goals was evident right from the beginning, highlighted by his remarkable debut of four goals—a feat unparalleled in the modern era.

Wrapping up his first season with an impressive 40 goals and 69 points, he secured the Calder Memorial Trophy with an overwhelming majority, receiving 164 out of 167 first-place votes. Auston Matthews undoubtedly earns his spot in the ultimate roster of the finest best American hockey players in history.

Matthews: A Dominant Force in American Hockey History

Matthews stands out as one of the best American hockey players. He consistently maintains a pace of scoring 40 goals in 82-game seasons, despite facing injuries and challenges from COVID-19. Notably, during the 2020-21 season, he showcased his dominance in the all-Canadian North Division by scoring 41 goals in just 52 games, earning him the prestigious Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy for being the league’s top goal-scorer.

This achievement places him among the top 20 NHL era-adjusted goal-scoring seasons. Furthermore, he earned the Hart Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player in 2022 after scoring 60 goals and accumulating 106 points in 73 games. These accomplishments firmly establish him as one of the best American hockey players.

Matthews Stands Out Among Top American Hockey Players

Matthews, the second-best American hockey player in terms of points per game, leads in goals per game played. He has amassed an impressive 537 points across 478 games. Although some express concern about his performance during playoffs, it is commonly understood that players need time to improve in this area. While some may feel it is too soon to rank Matthews so high among the best American hockey players, there is little doubt he is on track to reach the top by the end of his career, unless there are any major surprises. Considering his achievements thus far, it is fair to recognize him as the top player for now.

Honorable Mention: Keith Tkachuk

Matthew and Brady are the sons of a famous hockey player known as Big Walt. Matthew plays for the Calgary Flames, while Brady plays for the Ottawa Senators. In the NHL drafts of 2016 and 2018, Matthew was chosen as the sixth pick, and Brady as the fourth pick, respectively. People think that Matthew and Brady have the potential to be just as successful as their father, if not more.

Both Matthew and Brady are seen as future stars who could one day join the ranks of the ultimate roster of the finest best American hockey players in history. Apart from their hockey careers, Big Walt’s daughter, Taryn, is gaining recognition as an excellent field hockey player in the St. Louis region. Although Big Walt deserves acknowledgment for his achievements, in this comparison, Matthews (likely referring to Auston Matthews) is considered slightly better.

Hobey Baker is highly honored in the Hockey Hall of Fame because he was the very first American-born hockey star. It’s not random that the most prestigious award in college hockey is named after him. It’s because of his incredible contributions and influence on the sport, especially in the United States. Hobey Baker’s legacy transcends generations, solidifying his place in the annals of hockey history and earning him a spot in the ultimate roster of the finest best American hockey players in history.

Baker was born in a place called Bala Cynwyd, which is in Pennsylvania, in the year 1892. When he got older, he went to a college called Princeton University. At Princeton, he was really good at two sports: football and another sport. In football, he was especially good at catching the ball and running with it, which is called punt returning. He set many records for the school in football. Because he was so good, Princeton won a big competition called the national championship in 1911. Baker’s skill and hard work were a big reason why Princeton did so well that year.

Baker: A Hockey Legend of Sportsmanship and Skill

Baker had a huge impact on hockey. He played a key role in Princeton winning two national championships in 1912 and 1914. During his time with the team, which lasted three seasons, he scored an impressive total of over 120 goals and provided more than 100 assists. What made him even more special was his sportsmanship. After every game, he would visit the dressing room of the opposing team and shake hands with each player, showing respect and kindness to everyone, regardless of the outcome of the match.

After finishing college, Baker joined the amateur St. Nicholas Club. In 1915, he won another national championship, but this time at the amateur level. Although the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey Association offered him a $20,000 contract to play for them, he decided to remain an amateur and turned down the offer.

Baker: Athlete, Brave Soldier, Sad Ending

Unfortunately, when World War I started, Baker had to go to another country to fight in the war. Even though it was a difficult time, he showed great skill and bravery. He became a captain and led a group of 26 pilots and 180 enlisted men. He received honors for his bravery, like the French Croix de Guerre medal. Sadly, right before he was supposed to come back home, he took one last flight. That flight ended in a crash, and he died when he was only 26 years old.

Baker was truly exceptional in more than just hockey and football; he possessed extraordinary talent as a scratch golfer, achieved remarkable success as an elite swimmer, and occasionally showcased his abilities as a track and field athlete. Many regarded him as one of the greatest American athletes of all time. However, despite his numerous accomplishments, his hockey career was relatively short, which is the primary reason he isn’t ranked higher on this list of great athletes.

When discussing the best American hockey players and considering the greatest American goalie ever, a close contest emerged among three contenders. John Vanbiesbrouck stands among the elite, being one of only four Americans to clinch the Vezina Trophy since 1942. Meanwhile, Ryan Miller holds the record for career wins among Americans, boasting 391 victories and delivering a standout performance in U.S. Olympic history. However, in this tight competition, the slight edge tips toward Jonathan Quick, a two-time Stanley Cup champion. These exceptional goalkeepers secure their place in the ultimate roster of the finest best American hockey players in history.

 

Currently, Quick stands as one of the best American hockey players, holding the second position among American goalkeepers with 375 victories. He trails Ryan Miller by just 16 wins, a margin he’s likely to overcome comfortably prior to his retirement. His save percentage (SV%) stands at .911, placing him 13th in the rankings among the best American hockey players. Notably, Quick and Miller both secured silver with the U.S. Olympic team in 2010, despite Quick serving as a backup goalie during that campaign.

Jonathan Quick: Playoff Superstar and Outstanding Goalkeeper

What sets Quick apart from the other goalies is his outstanding performance in the playoffs. In 2012, he played unbelievably well, helping the Los Angeles Kings win their first Stanley Cup. He won an incredible 16 out of 20 games, had a save percentage of .946, and allowed only 1.41 goals per game. This amazing performance earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy, which is given to the most valuable player in the playoffs. Moreover, Quick led all goalies in shutouts for three years in a row: he had three shutouts in one playoff, three in the next, and two more in 2014, when he won his second Stanley Cup with the Kings.

Quick was instrumental in leading a tandem that won the Jennings Trophy in both the 2013-14 and 2017-18 seasons. However, what truly set him apart was his exceptional performance during critical playoff moments. This elevated him above his peers, establishing him as one of the greatest American goaltenders of all time.

That one season alone showcased LaFontaine’s exceptional skills, making him worthy of recognition on this list. He earned numerous awards, including the regular season and playoff MVP titles, recognition as the offensive rookie of the year, the esteemed Mike Bossy Award (named after a player whose rookie goal record LaFontaine surpassed that season), acknowledgment as the best professional prospect, and the honor of being named the CHL Player of the Year. His remarkable achievements during that season truly set him apart.

Pat LaFontaine’s Hockey Journey in New York: Achievements and Legacy.

After completing his tenure in the QMJHL, Pat LaFontaine proceeded to pursue his hockey career exclusively within New York state. He joined three different NHL teams during his professional journey: the New York Islanders, the Buffalo Sabres, and the New York Rangers. Over the course of his career, which encompassed 865 games, LaFontaine showcased his skill by amassing an admirable total of 1,013 points. His stellar performance led to his selection for five All-Star Games and the esteemed honor of receiving the 1995 Bill Masterton Trophy. However, despite his achievements, LaFontaine’s career faced an untimely end due to a succession of concussions.

The goal he scored during the fourth overtime of Game 7 in the Patrick Division Semifinal of 1987 is etched in Islanders’ lore as a moment of immense significance. This particular goal remains a cornerstone of the team’s history, symbolizing resilience and determination. It’s remembered not only for its timing but also for the impact it had on the outcome of the game and the series as a whole.

Exceptional Achievements and Consistency: A Closer Look at the Hockey Career.

During his career, Pat LaFontaine showed amazing talent by having two seasons where he scored over 100 points, which clearly proves why he is one of the best American hockey players in history. One of his best seasons was in 1992-93, when he scored an incredible 148 points. This number shows just how skilled and dedicated he was to the game.

He was also very consistent when it came to scoring goals. From 1987 to 1993, he had six seasons in a row where he scored 40 or more goals each year. This level of performance over so many years shows how reliable and talented he was as a top hockey player.

Even after six amazing seasons, Pat LaFontaine kept showing his incredible goal-scoring talent by extending his streak to a seventh season in 1995-96. This strong performance helped make his legacy even stronger as one of the best American hockey players in history and one of the top offensive players ever for the New York Islanders. His skill and scoring left a lasting impact on both the team and the game.

During his career, LaFontaine reached an amazing record—he averaged 1.17 points per game, which is the highest ever for an American player. Because of his great success, he was added to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003 and later named one of the NHL’s 100 greatest players in 2017. Even after he stopped playing professional hockey, LaFontaine didn’t slow down. He took part in many Ironman triathlons, showing that he still had great dedication and athletic ability. These achievements prove why he truly deserves a spot among the best American hockey players in history.

After the Dallas Stars moved to Dallas, Neal Broten kept playing with them for about one and a half more seasons. Then, in February 1995, he was traded to the New Jersey Devils. This trade turned out to be a great move for him. Broten played an important part in the Devils’ big surprise win against the strong Detroit Red Wings. The Devils won the Stanley Cup in just four games, and Broten scored the final goal that won the series. This made him the first American player ever to score the Stanley Cup-winning goal. It’s also interesting that Viacheslav Fetisov, a player from the 1980 Soviet team, was on the ice for the other team when Broten scored that historic goal.

Broten’s amazing career proves why he is truly one of the best American hockey players in history. He won an NCAA championship with the University of Minnesota, a gold medal at the Olympics, and a Stanley Cup—a rare and special combination. He also scored the winning goal in the NCAA Championship game. In 1981, he received the famous Hobey Baker Award, which is given to the top college hockey player. All of this shows how talented and successful he was in every stage of his hockey career.

Legacy of a Hockey Legend: The Remarkable Career and Achievements.

Even though he retired in 1997, he made a short comeback in 1999 and played three games for Team USA in the Ice Hockey World Championship. In those games, he scored six points, which was very impressive. This great performance helped prove again that he was truly one of the best American hockey players in history.

Later, in 2000, he was honored by being inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. The Dallas Stars also showed how much they valued him by retiring his jersey number 7. On top of that, in 2009, fans in Minnesota voted him as the greatest player ever from the state. All of these honors show how important he was to hockey and why he’s remembered as one of the best.

5. Brian Leetch

During his long and successful career, Brian Leetch played in a total of 1,205 NHL games. Out of all those games, he only played 76 games with teams other than the New York Rangers. Over his career, he scored 247 goals and had 781 assists, giving him an amazing total of 1,028 points.

Leetch had a fantastic start to his career. In his rookie season, he earned 71 points, which led to him winning the Calder Trophy, an award given to the league’s best rookie. He received 42 out of 63 first-place votes, showing how impressive his performance was.

Later on, he won the Norris Trophy two times — once in the 1991-92 season and again in the 1996-97 season. This award is given to the best defenseman in the league, proving just how skilled and important he was to his team. With all of these achievements, Brian Leetch is without a doubt one of the best American hockey players in history.

Brian Leetch: Winning Big with the Conn Smythe Trophy and More.

In 1994, Brian Leetch reached a big milestone in his career when he won the Conn Smythe Trophy, which is given to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the NHL playoffs. During that postseason, he played amazingly well — scoring 11 goals and earning 34 points in 23 games. Because of this outstanding performance, he became the first American player ever to win the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Over the course of his career, Leetch played in nine NHL All-Star Games, won a silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics, and retired from professional hockey in 2007. The next year, the New York Rangers retired his number 2 jersey, and he was also inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Soon after, he entered the Hockey Hall of Fame, one of the sport’s greatest honors.

One of his teammates, Mark Messier, spoke about how important Leetch was in a special video for the NHL’s list of 100 greatest players. His incredible achievements, leadership, and influence on the game show why Brian Leetch is truly one of the best American hockey players in history.

Out of all the best American hockey players, Cammi Granato stands out for what she achieved on the international level. She is from Downer’s Grove, Illinois, and no one on the list has earned more international success than her.

Granato was the team captain when she won a gold medal at the 1998 Nagano Olympics and a silver medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. That makes her a two-time Olympic medalist.

Her strong leadership and amazing performances in big tournaments make her one of the greatest American hockey players of all time. Without a doubt, she deserves her place on the ultimate list of the finest best American hockey players in history.

Cammi Granato had amazing success in women’s ice hockey, especially at the IIHF Women’s World Championship. She won a gold medal in 2005 and also earned eight silver medals from 1990 to 2004. That’s a long time of staying at the top level of the game.

She also did very well in the Four Nations Cup, winning gold medals in 1997 and 2003, and taking silver five more times. These wins show just how skilled and dedicated she was throughout her career.

With all of these achievements, it’s easy to see why Cammi Granato is considered one of the best American hockey players ever — not just for her talent, but also for her hard work and commitment to the sport.

Granato’s Stellar Career: A Closer Look at Her Remarkable Achievements.

Cammi Granato: A Legacy of Leadership and Achievement in U.S. Women’s Hockey.

Oliver shared that Cammi Granato had a truly amazing 15-year career with the U.S. Women’s National Team, starting in 1990. During that time, she played a big role in the team’s success and became the top scorer in the history of the program.

Granato reached this milestone by scoring 343 points in total — with 186 goals and 157 assists — in 205 games. She was also a strong leader and served as team captain during two Olympic Games: Nagano in 1998 and Salt Lake City in 2002. Her leadership and dedication helped guide Team USA during some of its most important moments.

Even though her achievements aren’t listed in NHL record books, because she played in women’s international hockey, there’s no doubt that she is one of the best American hockey players ever. Her incredible skill, leadership, and long career clearly earn her a top spot among the most respected American athletes in hockey history.

Patrick Kane, who is from Buffalo, New York, holds a special place in NHL history. He is the only player ever chosen as the first overall draft pick by the Chicago Blackhawks. Out of all the active players on the list, Kane clearly stands out. At age 34, he has scored an amazing 1,235 points in his career. He also had two seasons with over 100 points — one in 2015–2016 with 106 points, and another in 2018–2019 with 110 points.

Many hockey fans already know about Kane’s success. But here’s a closer look at why he’s so impressive: In his very first NHL season, Kane scored 72 points, which won him the Calder Trophy, the award for the best rookie. He beat out strong players like Nicklas Backstrom, Carey Price, and his teammate Jonathan Toews.

Kane’s big moment came in 2010, when he scored the winning goal in overtime of Game 6 to help the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup — the first of three championships in his career. Later in 2013, he also won the Conn Smythe Trophy for being the best player during the playoffs, leading his team with 19 points in 23 games.

All of these incredible accomplishments clearly make Patrick Kane one of the best American hockey players of all time.

Kane’s Stellar Career: From Record-Breaking Seasons to Resounding Achievements and Legacy.

During the 2015–16 season, Patrick Kane gave an amazing performance. He scored 46 goals and made 60 assists. Because of his incredible season, he won several big NHL awards. He received the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), the Ted Lindsay Award as the most outstanding player (voted by other players), and became the first American player to win the Art Ross Trophy, which is given to the player who leads the league in total points in a season.

In 2017, the NHL named Kane one of its 100 Greatest Players, which sparked some debate. Some people questioned if he deserved that honor because of issues off the ice. But Kane proved himself by scoring over 300 more points after that and showing much better behavior. He has now won all the major NHL awards and helped bring success back to an old American team.

Because of all he has achieved — and the strong career he still continues to build — Patrick Kane definitely earns his place on the list of the best American hockey players of all time.

eciding on Brett Hull’s Honorable Mention: Why We Chose Not to Include Him.

It was a tough choice to decide whether Brett Hull should get an Honorable Mention. We had to think carefully because he is the fourth-highest goal scorer in NHL history among American players — which is a big deal. After a lot of thought, we decided not to include him on the list. But we felt it was important to explain why.

Brett Hull was born in Belleville, Ontario, in 1964. When he was young, his family moved often because his father, Bobby Hull, was playing for the Chicago Blackhawks in the U.S. So Brett spent much of his early childhood living in different parts of the United States. He began playing hockey at just four years old and quickly showed talent in the sport.

Even though there are questions about which country he truly represents, there is no doubt that Brett Hull had an amazing career. He came very close to being added to the list of the best American hockey players.

Bobby’s Story: From Moving to the Winnipeg Jets to Playing Hockey in College.

Things changed when Bobby Hull was traded to the Winnipeg Jets. This meant the family moved back to Canada. Even though they had to move again, Brett Hull didn’t stop playing hockey. He kept practicing and improving, always following his passion for the game.

After he finished high school, Brett chose to go to college at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. There, he continued his studies and also played hockey at a higher level. His time in college helped him grow both as a student and as a hockey player, pushing him one step closer to becoming one of the best American hockey players — even if there’s still debate about which country he truly represents.

Choosing Whether to Include Hull as a Top American Hockey Player.

While he was spending time in the U.S., Brett Hull made a strong choice to play international hockey. Team Canada didn’t pick him, so when the chance came to play for Team USA, he took it. As his career went on, he stayed loyal to the American team. Hull later said that neither Team Canada nor Team USA fully felt like “his team,” but he chose to play where he was given the opportunity.

If Hull were clearly American by birth, he would easily be on the list — maybe even at the very top — of the best American hockey players. But since he was born and raised in Canada, it creates some confusion. Because of that, we’ve decided not to include him on the list for now. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that Brett Hull had an incredible career and is one of the greatest goal scorers in the history of hockey.

Mike Modano is not just any player for the Dallas Stars — he is one of their biggest legends. But his importance goes far beyond just one team. He is also known as one of the best American hockey players in history. Let’s look at why.

Mike played 1,499 NHL games, which is the second most among American-born forwards. He also leads all American NHL players in goals scored (561), total points (1,374), and playoff points (146). He was born in Livonia, Michigan, and made a name for himself early on when he played in the Canadian Hockey League. Even though he played for Canadian teams at one point, his heart always stayed loyal to the United States. Because of his amazing career, Mike Modano is clearly one of the finest and best American hockey players of all time.

In 1988, the Minnesota North Stars chose Modano as the first overall pick in the NHL Draft. In his first season, he played very well, scoring 29 goals and getting 46 assists — a total of 75 points. But even with these strong numbers, he didn’t win the Calder Trophy, which is given to the NHL’s best rookie player.

Instead, the award went to Sergei Makarov, a 31-year-old who had recently come from the Russian league (KHL). Many people thought this wasn’t fair, because the Calder Trophy is usually meant for young new players. Because of this, the NHL changed the rules the next year so that players over the age of 26 could no longer win the Calder Trophy.

Modano’s Remarkable Career: Overcoming Challenges and Achieving Greatness.

When we talk about American athletes, very few can match the long and successful career of Chris Chelios, who grew up in Chicago. He played as a defenseman in hockey and is known as one of the best to ever play in that position. Because of his amazing skills, hard work, and many achievements on the ice, many people believe he should be ranked at the very top of the best American hockey players in history.

Chelios has an impressive record in the NHL. He played more games than any other American player and is eighth overall in NHL history for most games played. He appeared in 1,651 games during his career. In that time, he scored 185 goals and had 763 assists, making a total of 948 points. He also has a career plus/minus rating of +351, which puts him at 18th place all-time — a great achievement that shows how valuable he was on the ice.

Chelios: Wins and Awards in Hockey.

Chris Chelios: A Long Hockey Career and Lasting Impact.

Chris Chelios had a very long hockey career that lasted for 40 years. It all started when he was picked in the NHL Draft in 1981. He began playing professionally in 1983. He stayed in the NHL until April 6, 2010, when he played his last game with the Atlanta Thrashers. Because of his long career and many great achievements, Chris Chelios is known as one of the best American hockey players in history.

After he stopped playing, Chelios was given a big honor. Just three years after retiring, he was added to the Hockey Hall of Fame. This was a very special moment, and he was honored at the same time as his old teammate Brendan Shanahan, who also played with him on the Detroit Red Wings.

Even after he retired, Chelios didn’t leave hockey. He stayed close to the game by working in team management for both the Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks. Even though he was no longer playing, Chelios still helped the sport grow. His work off the ice has made him an important and respected person in the world of hockey. He is truly one of the best American hockey players of all time.