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Top 5 Greatest International National Hockey League Players

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The National Hockey League has featured some of the greatest players in hockey history, and many have come from across international borders. From Canada to Sweden, Slovakia to the United States, these outstanding athletes have helped bring excitement and success to teams around the world. In this blog post, we’ll highlight some of the greatest NHL players who have come from outside North America – here are our top 5 international NHL greats!

1. Teemu Selanne

Teemu Selanne on the ice for the Anaheim Ducks, November 2010 photo by Hockeybroad/Cheryl Adams CC BY-SA 3.0

Teemu Selanne, also known as the Finnish Flash, undoubtedly earns a spot on the list of the top five greatest international NHL players. The beloved figure is respected in both his native Finland and in North America. Selanne’s 684 goals earned him the reputation and placed him 11th on the all-time list.

His rookie season was eye-catching with 76 scored goals, and he deservedly earned the Calder Memorial Trophy. He played 21 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Winnipeg Jets, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks and Colorado Avalanche. The pinnacle of Selanne’s career was accomplished in 2007 when he finally lifted the Stanley Cup. He played the game with integrity and talent that earned him a spot in the 2017 Hall of Fame.

2. Jaromir Jagr

Jaromir Jagr, an exceptional hockey legend, astounded fans with his unwavering dedication to the sport by playing over 20 seasons and counting. Demonstrating his extraordinary skills on the ice, Jagr accomplished the impressive feat of achieving the highest number of points during a season five separate times, even managing to do so for three consecutive years from 1997-1998 up to 2000-2001.

Beyond his point-scoring prowess, Jagr’s accomplishments include two Stanley Cup victories with the Pittsburgh PEenguins, winning the prestigious Ross trophy five times, the Hart trophy in the 1998-1999 season, and the Masterton trophy in 2015-2016.

3. Zdeno Chara

Zdeno Chara with the Boston Bruins during a game against the New Jersey Devils on March 29, 2016. photo by Lisa Gansky from New York, NY, USA. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.

The retirement of Zdeno Chara this past year, approaching the 2022-2023 season, marked the end of an impressive career for the towering hockey player. Mostly known for his time with the Boston Bruins, Chara (Big Zee) also spent a some memorable years with the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders.

Standing at an incredible 6’9 and weighing 250 pounds, Chara was an unmistakable figure on the ice, even taller than the average NBA basketball player. However, his size was not just for show – Chara’s intimidating presence had a purpose. Known for delivering powerful, bone-jarring hits, Chara’s height wasn’t his only advantage. A leader in the dressing room and a leader on the ice, Chara hoisted the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011.

4. Alexander Ovechkin

What sets Alexander Ovechkin apart from many other great athletes is his unwavering loyalty and commitment to the Washington Capitals, with whom he has spent his entire career. This kind of dedication is a rarity in professional sports today, making Ovechkin’s story even more remarkable.

Inspired by his childhood idol Mario Lemieux, Ovechkin was no older than 17 when he began showcasing his exceptional talent in hockey. Playing in an 18-and-under league, he managed to score an impressive 14 goals in just eight games. Ovechkin’s high degree of stamina allowed him to play in at least 77 games in all but three years of his NHL career thus far.

5. Peter Stastny

Peter Stastny, hailing from Slovakia (formerly Czechoslovakia), is among the top five greatest international national hockey league players in history. While his son, Paul, is more recognizable in today’s NHL, Peter made a name for himself as a superb player in the 1980s and 90s. Despite growing up in a time when the Communist Bloc still held sway, Peter made his NHL debut at the age of 24 during the 1980-81 season.

Although he played fewer games than most legends of the sport, Peter’s 450 goals and 1,239 points in 977 regular season games reflect his remarkable talent. His 1.27 career points-per-game is the seventh-highest in NHL history, while his points are the second-highest for a player with under 1,000 games played. Furthermore, he was honored with induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1998 in his first season on the ballot.

Summary

The impact of these players on the game of hockey and their contribution to national teams across the globe is undeniable. Teemu Selanne, Jaromir Jagr, Zdeno Chara, Alexander Ovechkin, and Peter Stastny have all made a significant impact in the NHL as well as international play and are considered among the greatest hockey players in history. These athletes are icons not only for their incredible accomplishments but also for their potential to inspire future generations of hockey players to take their game to the next level.

Other articles from totimes.ca – otttimes.ca – mtltimes.ca

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