It’s a tad bit ironic to be extra patriotic on a site that focuses on Canada’s greatest export; the wonderful game of ice hockey. Our neighbors to the north are extremely protective of their game. Don Cherry has made a living by telling the world that Canadian players are the only players worth having on your team. Canadians get very upset when other nations try to claim hockey superiority, especially when it’s Americans. So in the spirit of Independence Day it’s time to look at American hockey by the numbers.
1 – American based software company responsible for the NHL video game franchise, EA Sports.
1.71 – Career points per game average for Pat Lafontaine, highest all time for an American player.
3 – Consecutive American born players who have won the Conn Smythe Award. (2011-Tim Thomas, 2012-Jonathan Quick, 2013-Patrick Kane)
4 – American captains in the NHL; Dustin Brown-LA, Ryan Callahan-NYR, David Backes-STL (yes we have to claim him) and Brian Gionta, the captain of the one and only le Club de hockey Canadien.
5 – American #1 goaltenders for the 2013 (Jonathan Quick, Ryan Miller, Cory Schneider, Jimmy Howard, Craig Anderson)
6 – Venzina Trophies won by 5 American goalies (Tim Thomas twice, Ryan Miller, Jim Carey, John Vanbiesbrouk, Tom Barrasso).
6 – Current American head coaches in the NHL (Ron Rolston, Todd Richards, Dallas Eakins, Jack Capuano, Dan Blysma, John Tortorella).
7 – American players have won the Calder Trophy (Patrick Kane, Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Bryan Berard, Brian Leetch, Gary Suter, Tom Barrasso)
7 – Norris Trophies won by 3 different players. (Chris Chelios-3,Brian Leetch-2, Rod Langway-2)
8 – Medals won by team USA at the IIHF U20 World Junior Championships (3 Gold, 1 Silver, 4 Bronze)
19 – Consectutive Stanley Cups won by American based franchises.
33 – Short handed goals scored by Brian Rolston, most by an American
53 – American players taken in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, making up 25.1% of all players selected.
265 – Power play goals scored by Brett Hull, most by an American
741 – Goals scored by Brett Hull, most by an American
894 – Assists from Phil Housley, most by an American
1651 – Games played by Chris Chelios, most by an American
3043 – Penalty minutes by Chris Nilan, most by an American