The Greatest American Hockey Players of All Time

Updated November 5, 2019 15.8k votes 2.3k voters 29.7k views64 items

List RulesVote up the greatest US-born players ever to play in the NBA

This list of the greatest American hockey players includes some of the NHL's best players, including Mike Modano, Jeremy Roenick, Jonathan Quick, and Ed Olczyk. Many of these great US-born hockey players have also played for the U.S. Olympic hockey team. Some of them are goal-scoring legends, while others are some of the NHL's greatest goalies and defensemen. Many of these American-born hockey players are on a list of Stanley Cup champions and have seen extensive NHL Playoffs experience.

Vote for your favorite American hockey players below, downvote the hockey players you don't think are that great - and if we missed anyone from the list, feel free to add them so that other hockey fans can vote. You cna also re-rank this list to include your own list of favorite hockey players as well.

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1
Mike Modano
Livonia, Michigan
650
348
Nationality: United States of America
Michael Thomas Modano Jr. (; born June 7, 1970) is an American former professional ice hockey player, who played primarily for the Minnesota/Dallas Stars franchise. He spent the final season of his... more
#14 of 21 20 Videos of Pro Athletes Crying at Press Conferences #1 of 55 The Greatest Dallas Stars Of All Time #11 of 31 The Best Athletes Who Wore #9
2
Brett Hull
Belleville, Canada
592
286
Position: Right wing
Nationality: United States of America,Canada
Brett Andrew Hull (born August 9, 1964) is a Canadian-American former ice hockey player and general manager, and currently an executive vice president of the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey... more
3
Chris Chelios
Chicago, Illinois
502
258
Position: Defenseman
Nationality: United States of America
Christos Kostas "Chris" Chelios (born January 25, 1962) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He was one of the longest tenured players in the National Hockey League, and is a... more
#8 of 116 The Best Defensemen in NHL History #56 of 85 Great Athletes Who Waited Too Long To Retire #23 of 111 The Greatest Montreal Canadiens of All Time
4
Jeremy Roenick
Boston, Massachusetts
395
195
Position: Centerman
Nationality: United States of America,Germany
Jeremy Shaffer Roenick (; born January 17, 1970) is an American former professional ice hockey player who played the majority of his career in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the... more
5
Brian Leetch
Corpus Christi, Texas
400
199
Position: Defenseman
Nationality: United States of America
Brian Joseph Leetch (born March 3, 1968) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 18 National Hockey League (NHL) seasons with the New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs,... more
#29 of 29 The Best Athletes Who Wore #22 #75 of 75 Celebrities Who Went to Boarding School
6
Pat LaFontaine
St. Louis, Missouri
367
179
Position: Centerman
Nationality: United States of America
Patrick Michael LaFontaine (born February 22, 1965) is an American former ice hockey center in the National Hockey League (NHL) who spent his entire career playing for the league's New York... more
7
Patrick Kane
Buffalo, New York
1,040
390
Position: Right wing, Centerman
Nationality: United States of America
Patrick Timothy Kane II (born November 19, 1988) is an American professional ice hockey right winger for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Blackhawks selected him with... more
#6 of 63 The Shortest Players In The NHL Today #72 of 80 The Most Controversial Athletes in Sports History #25 of 25 The Dirtiest Players In The NHL Right Now
8
Keith Tkachuk
Melrose, Massachusetts
284
169
Position: Left Wing, Centerman, Forward
Nationality: United States of America
Keith Matthew Tkachuk (; born March 28, 1972) is an American former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) in a 19-year career with the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix... more
9
Mike Richter
Abington Township, Pennsylvania
240
152
Position: Goaltender
Nationality: United States of America
Michael Thomas Richter (born September 22, 1966) is an American former professional ice hockey goaltender. He played his entire career with the New York Rangers organization, and led the team to the... more
#18 of 99 The Top Hockey Goaltenders of All Time #19 of 75 People Who Should Be in the Hockey Hall of Fame #5 of 120 The Greatest New York Rangers of All Time
10
Jonathan Quick
Milford, Connecticut
241
151
Position: Goaltender
Nationality: United States of America
Jonathan Douglas Quick (born January 21, 1986) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Quick was selected in the third round,... more
#14 of 16 The Most Clutch Athletes in Sports Today #17 of 37 Who's the Best Goalie in the NHL Right Now?#7 of 80 The Greatest Los Angeles Kings of All Time
11
Phil Housley
Saint Paul, Minnesota
217
140
Position: Defenseman, Forward
Nationality: United States of America
Phillip Francis Housley (born March 9, 1964) is an American professional ice hockey coach and former player. He is currently an assistant coach for the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League... more
12
Ryan Miller
East Lansing, Michigan
152
105
Position: Goaltender
Nationality: United States of America
Ryan Dean Miller (born July 17, 1980) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Miller was drafted 138th overall... more
#2 of 26 NHL Players Who Retired In 2021 #37 of 128 Athletes Who Retired In 2021 #8 of 273 The Greatest Buffalo Sabres of All Time
13
Joe Pavelski
Plover, Wisconsin
208
106
Position: Right wing, Centerman, Forward
Nationality: United States of America
Joseph James Pavelski (born July 11, 1984) is an American professional ice hockey player for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). He had previously played for the San Jose Sharks for... more
#60 of 190 The Best Current NHL Players #34 of 49 The Most Likable Players In The NHL Today #3 of 207 The Greatest San Jose Sharks Of All Time
14
Tony Amonte
Hingham, Massachusetts
172
119
Position: Right wing
Nationality: United States of America
Anthony Lewis Amonte (born August 2, 1970) is a retired American professional ice hockey player. He played right wing over 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Rangers,... more
15
SofiaSolanoTanaka added
Auston Matthews
279
157
Phoenix, Arizona
16
Joe Mullen
New York City, New York
175
102
Position: Forward
Nationality: United States of America
Joseph Patrick Mullen (born February 26, 1957) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the St. Louis Blues, Calgary... more
#164 of 502 The Best NHL Players of All Time #39 of 89 The Greatest St. Louis Blues Players Of All Time #11 of 80 The Best Pittsburgh Penguins of All Time
17
T. J. Oshie
Mount Vernon, Washington
259
179
Position: Right wing
Nationality: United States of America
Timothy Leif "T. J." Oshie (born December 23, 1986) is an American professional ice hockey right winger for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the St.... more
18
Ryan Suter
Madison, Wisconsin
162
96
Position: Defenseman
Nationality: United States of America
Ryan Suter (born January 21, 1985) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman and alternate captain with the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also played for the... more
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19
Neal Broten
Roseau, Minnesota
141
97
Position: Centerman
Nationality: United States of America
Neal LaMoy Broten (born November 29, 1959) is an American former professional ice hockey player. A member of the 1980 US Olympic hockey team that won the gold medal at Lake Placid in 1980, Broten was... more
20
Zach Parise
Minneapolis, Minnesota
181
132
Position: Left Wing
Nationality: United States of America
Zachary Justin Parise (born July 28, 1984) is an American professional ice hockey left winger who is currently serving as an alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild in the National Hockey League... more
21
Blake Wheeler
Robbinsdale, Minnesota
140
78
Position: Right wing
Nationality: United States of America
Blake James Wheeler (born August 31, 1986) is an American professional ice hockey right winger who serves as captain of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the... more
22
John LeClair
St. Albans, Vermont
181
100
Position: Left Wing
Nationality: United States of America
John Clark LeClair (born July 5, 1969) is an American former professional ice hockey player who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers,... more
23
Mark Howe
Detroit, Michigan
105
74
Position: Defenseman, Forward
Nationality: United States of America
Mark Steven Howe (born May 28, 1955) is a retired American professional ice hockey left winger and later defenseman who played sixteen seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) and six seasons in... more
#8 of 105 The Best Philadelphia Flyers of All Time #50 of 144 The Best NHL Players To Have Their Numbers Retired #28 of 30 The Best Athletes Who Wore #2
24
Bill Guerin
Worcester, Massachusetts
123
82
Position: Right wing
Nationality: United States of America
William Robert Guerin (born November 9, 1970) is an American former professional ice hockey player and the current general manager of the Minnesota Wild. He previously was the assistant general... more
25
Phil Kessel
Madison, Wisconsin
250
165
Position: Right wing
Nationality: United States of America
Philip Joseph Kessel Jr. (born October 2, 1987) is an American professional ice hockey right winger playing for the Arizona Coyotes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for... more