Only A Canadian Can Name All Of These NHL All-Stars
- by Chris Roberts
- – on
- in Sports
The National Hockey League (NHL)'s efforts to grow the sport of hockey in the United States has been slow, but effective. While markets in cities like Florida, Arizona, and Carolina are doing less than ideal (largely due to consistent losing seasons), there are now more hockey players being developed in less than common regions - Auston Matthews, for instance, is one of the league's brightest young stars and he grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. Additionally, players from warm-climate states such as Florida and California are now entering the league at an increasing pace. Heck, the Vegas Golden Knights are one of the league's best teams with a growing and passionate fan base.
However, the sport of hockey remains a Canadian game. Hockey is still fourth in major sportsin the United States behind basketball, football, and baseball and may be in danger of falling behind soccer and the MLS . In Canada, the sport is and always has been number one. Canadians take pride in their country's performance at international events; even the World Junior Championships in December in just as celebrated as Christmas. It's for that reason that we believe Canadians will have no problem acing this quiz. If you're an American or from somewhere else in the world, prove us wrong.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
This player is a 28 year old native of Toronto, Ontario who was selected 43rd overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He quickly became a star in Montreal after only one season with the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate in Hamilton, posting 38 points and 124 penalty minutes in his rookie season. He had the best year of his career in 2012-13 as won the James Norris Trophy following a 38-point campaign in the 42-game, lockout-shortened season. He's now a member of the Nashville Predators.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
Despite some off-ice troubles early in his career, this American winger has become one of the most dynamic players in the game. He was drafted first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft after a ridiculous 145-point season with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2007-08 after a 72-point rookie campaign and has since won three Stanley Cups as well as the Conn Smythe Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Hart Memorial Trophy, and Ted Lindsay Award.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
Although he was actually born in California, this 20 year old grew up in Arizona, where he became a huge fan of the Coyotes and counted Shane Doan as his favorite player. Because of where he was from, he struggled to find quality competition as a child, but was recognized as a star when he joined the United States National Development Program, playing with the Under-18 team in the United States Hockey League (USHL), where he recorded 48 points in 24 games. He played the following year in Switzerland and was then drafted first overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
A 29 year old winger, this player serves as captain of the Montreal Canadiens and has topped 30 goals in each of the past four seasons, although he is on pace for only 16 goals in 2017-18. A native of New Canaan, Connecticut, he was drafted 22nd overall by the Canadiens following a 63-point season with the Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL and spent the following season with the University of Michigan. He has 217 goals and 215 assists for 432 points through 602 career games.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
One of the league's fastest-rising stars, if not already one of its best offensive players, this winger is part of the league's best line in Tampa Bay, where he plays alongside Steven Stamkos and Vladislav Namestnikov. A 24 year old native of Moscow, Russia, he was drafted by the Lightning with the 58th overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, but didn't make his debut in the league until the 2013-14 season, scoring 18 points in 52 games. He followed that up with consecutive 60-plus point seasons and posted a career-high 85 points in 74 games during the 2016-17 season. He has a league-leading 56 points through 39 games this year.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
This 27 year old native of Edina, Minnesota is criminally underrated and arguably the league's least-known superstar. In fact, even a hardcore hockey fan might have a hard time naming him since he receives very little recognition for his offensive skills; yet, he has scored at least 25 goals in two of the past three seasons and already has 24 through 40 games in 2017-18. A sixth-round pick of the New York Islanders in 2009, he now has 184 points in 301 career games.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
Selected second overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, this player was curiously omitted from the NHL's list of its Top 100 players last year, which sparked extensive backlash on social media and deservedly so. A native of Magniogorsk, Russia, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2006-07 with 85 points in 78 games and has continued to thrive. He has since won three Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy, two Art Ross Trophies, a Hart Memorial Trophy, and a Ted Lindsay Award. He has 870 points in 743 career games.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
The Nashville Predators have become known as somewhat of a developmental system for defenseman and, at one point, the organization had Shea Weber, Roman Josi, Ryan Ellis, and this player, who left in the 2012 offseason to sign a massive contract with the Minnesota Wild. A 32 year old native of Madison, Wisconsin, he hasn't won any major individual awards, but is consistently one of the league's premier defenseman every year. He typically leads the ice in ice time and has some offensive skills as well; he has 466 points through 953 career games.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
One of the few players in the NHL from Switzerland, this 27 year old defenseman is quickly emerging as one of the league's best defenders. Selected by the Nashville Predators in the second round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, he didn't make the team on a full-time basis until the 2012-13 season, when he recorded 18 points in 48 games. He posted at least 40 points in the past four seasons and is well on his way to doing so for a fifth straight year in 2017-18. He was named the captain of the Predators following the retirement of Mike Fisher.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
Regarded as one of the best goaltenders in the world, this 30 year old native of Anahim Lake, British Columbia was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens with the fifth overall pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. After two more seasons with the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League (WHL), he won a Calder Cup with Montreal's AHL affiliate in Hamilton and carried that success over to the NHL the following year. If you don't know who he is, you should probably quit right now.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
A native of Mississauga, Ontario, there's speculation this 27 year old center could sign with the Maple Leafs, Canadiens, or another big-market team in the offseason, but for now he's a member of the New York Islanders, the team that drafted him first overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Although he has yet to win a major individual award, he is regarded as one of the best offensive players in the league; he has produced at least 66 points in each of the past six seasons, including the lockout-shortened season in 2012-13. He's currently on pace for his first career 100-point season.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
A 31 year old native of Marblehead, Massachusetts, this goaltender was selected 26th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks and starred for Boston College from 2004 to 2007. He backed up Roberto Luongo early in his career, but was traded to the New Jersey Devils at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft and has since become an All-Star starting netminder. He posted impressive numbers in his first two seasons with the team and, after a disappointing year in 2016-17, is back on track with a .920 save percentage through 30 games, which is right about his career average.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
Selected fifth overall by the Boston Bruins in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, this player won the Bill Masterton Trophy in his rookie season after overcoming a battle with testicular cancer and going on to play in 70 games, while scoring 11 goals and adding 18 assists. He has since become one of the league's most consistent goal scorers, scoring at least 23 goals in each of the past eight seasons, excluding the lockout-shortened campaign in 2012-13. He has also won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins and recorded 45 points in 49 playoff games during that time.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
A native of Clinton, Ontario, this player was selected 33rd overall by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and became one of the few second-round picks to make the NHL in his first year of eligibility. He recorded only 26 points that season, but proved himself a capable two-way player. He had a breakout campaign in 2011-12 with 55 points in 81 games and continued to produce for the Avalanche in subsequent years, but was dealt to the Buffalo Sabres prior to the 2015-16 season. He has now produced at least 55 points in each of the past four seasons.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
Few defensemen in the league are regarded as high as this 34 year old native of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, he has won three Stanley Cups with the team while anchoring its back-end and even won the Conn Smythe Trophy during the team's win in 2014-15 after recording 21 points through 23 games. He's also a two-time James Norris Trophy winner as the league's best defenseman. Through 951 career games, he has 90 goals and 440 assists for 530 points.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
Recently traded from Colorado to Ottawa, this player has struggled immensely, posting only six points in 23 games with the Senators, despite being brought in to facilitate more offense. It shouldn't be much of a surprise if you've followed his career as, despite the fact he's only 26 years old, it appears his best days are behind him. The Ontario native posted 55 points as a rookie and followed that up with 67 the next year. He recorded a career-high 70 points during the 2013-14 season, but has failed to top 60 points in each of the following three seasons.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
A 32 year old native of L'Ancienne Lorette, Quebec, this player is regarded as one of the best two-way centers in the league and he has the accolades to back it up. He's a four-time winner of the Frank J. Selke Trophy, having won the award first in 2011-12 and now three times in the past four seasons. He's more than just a skilled defensive forward, however; excluding the lockout-shortened season of 2012-13, he has scored at least 20 goals and 52 points in six consecutive seasons. He now has 697 points through 932 career games.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
Selected by the Boston Bruins with the second pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, this Brampton, Ontario native was dealt to the Dallas Stars in 2013 for a package of players that included Loui Eriksson and minor league players. The move backfired on Boston as he has moved past his early-career off-ice issues to become of the best goal scorers in the league. He scored consecutive 37-goal seasons in his first two years with the Stars and has topped 70 points in each of the past four seasons. He now has 463 points through 549 career games.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
This pesky Finn isn't your traditional All-Star, but he did represent the Maple Leafs in the 2016 All-Star Game while the team was undergoing a drastic rebuild. He scored a career-high 19 goals that season and followed that up with 14 the next year. He has only four goals in 2017-18 and three have been of the empty net variety. The 30 year old was selected in the sixth round of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, but didn't join the Maple Leafs until the 2012-13 season, following a combined six seasons in the SM-Liiga and KHL.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
A 21 year old native of Waterford, Michigan, this 6-foot-1 center has played hockey in Michigan his whole life. Not only did he grow up there, he played for the University of Michigan in 2014-15 and posted an impressive 47 points in 35 games. He was also drafted by the Detroit Red Wings and first suited up for the team in 2015-16, posting 45 points in 80 games and representing the team in the All-Star Game, where he displayed his impressive speed. He posted a disappointing 32 points in 2016-17, but has already reached that mark through 38 games this season.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
A native of Victoria, British Columbia, this 28 year old left winger was selected in the fifth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars. A goal-scoring power forward, he played for the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL and made the Stars in his first year as a pro, scoring 22 goals and adding 19 assists in 82 games. He had one of the best year of his career in 2014-15, when he won the Art Ross Trophy after recording 87 points in 82 games. He now has 554 points in 626 career games.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
The oldest player in the NHL by quite a wide margin, this native of Czech Republic was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the fifth overall pick way back in 1990. He recorded 57 points as a rookie and, although he didn't win the Calder Trophy, he has since won multiple individual awards, including five Art Ross Trophies as the league's leading scorer and three Lester B. Pearson Trophies. He has 1,921 points in 1,733 games and is now only 35 games away from passing Gordie Howe for tops on the all-time games played list.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
The cover star of EA Sports' NHL 17, this player was selected 16th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and has remained with the franchise ever since. A native of Yaroslavl, Russia, he had a pedestrian rookie season in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 campaign, but became a star in 2014-15 with 73 points in 77 games. He has now recorded at least 70 points in each of the past three seasons and is on pace to reach that mark once again in 2017-18.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
After struggling with the Edmonton Oilers and briefly playing for a number of other teams, this once highly-touted goaltender found his niche in Minnesota, where he has developed into one of the league's best goaltenders. A 6-foot-6, 218-pound native of Regina, Saskatchewan, he was a Vezina Trophy finalist last season after posting a 2.25 GAA and .923 save percentage and won the Bill Masterton Trophy in 2014-15 after proving himself with Minnesota. Since joining the Wild, he has a record of 113-62-15.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
The first overall pick of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, this Windsor, Ontario native is a 21 year old defenseman who is already among the league's best blueliners, although his offensive production has dipped since his rookie year. He won the Calder Memorial Trophy that year after scoring 12 goals and adding 27 assists for 39 points, but has since recorded seasons of 36 and 21 points. He has six goals and six assists for 12 points through 39 games this season.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
A native of Markham, Ontario, this 27 year old center was selected first overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft after posting a 105-point season with the Sarnia Sting of the OHL. While he didn't win the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's best rookie, he won the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy the following year by scoring a league-high 51 goals. He also won the award in 2012 after posting a career-high 60 goals. He has battled through injury in recent years, but has been healthy so far this year and has 49 points in 39 games.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
A native of Salem, New Jersey, this 24 year old winger is one of the most dynamic players in the league. Although he's only 5-foot-9 and listed at 157 pounds, he excels because of his speed and ability to make moves in tight spaces. He was a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2014-15 after posting 64 points in 80 games and recorded a career-high 78 points the following season. After a down year in 2016-17, he's on pace to set another career-high in points with 86.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
A native of Calgary, Alberta, this left winger was drafted first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft after a 106-point season with the Windsor Spitfires of the OHL. He played six seasons with the Oilers and recorded a career-high 80 points during the 2013-14 season, but was eventually dealt to the New Jersey Devils for defenseman Adam Larsson as the team kick-started another rebuild. After a 53-point season in 2016-17, he has 37 points through 37 games this year.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
If you don't know this player's name, you at least have something in common with the team's former general manager, Bobby Clarke, who forgot who his Philadelphia Flyers were drafting with the 22nd overall pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. The 29 year old center played junior hockey with the Gatineau Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) and, after two mediocre seasons with the Flyers, posted consecutive career highs of 76 and 93 points. He now has 621 points through 695 career regular season games as well as 62 points in 63 playoff games.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
A 6-foot-3, goal-scoring winger from Moscow, Russia, this player was selected first overall by the Washington Capitals in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Known as The Great 8 because of the number he wears, he won the Calder Trophy in his rookie season after posting a remarkable 106 points in 81 games. Since then, he has added to his trophy case by winning six Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophies and three Hart Memorial Trophies. He's one of the greatest pure goal scorers of all-time and now has 584 goals and 494 assists through 962 career games.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
Perhaps one of the most underrated and unheralded forwards in the league right now, this player has scored at least 29 goals in each of the past four seasons, including a career-high 41 goals during the 2013-14 season. He's now the captain of the San Jose Sharks, but one of the reasons he's lesser-known could be the fact that he was drafted in the seventh round of the 2003 NHL Draft. Before joining the Sharks in 2006, he spent two seasons with the University of Wisconsin and recorded a combined 101 points in 84 games.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
Selected 28th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Anaheim Ducks, this right winger has spent his entire career with the Western Conference franchise. A native of Peterborough, Ontario, he played three seasons with the London Knights of the OHL before making the Ducks in the 2005-06 season. He had the best year of his career in 2010-11, when he scored 50 goals and added 48 assists for 98 points, winning both the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy and the Hart Memorial Trophy. He now has 739 points through 917 career games.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this 25 year old winger was drafted in the second round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks and won two Stanley Cups with the team before being dealt to the Columbus Blue Jackets. He posted back-to-back 53-point seasons with the Blue Jackets, but was dealt back to the Blackhawks in exchange for Artemi Panarin as the 'Hawks attempted to rekindle the success they once had with this player in the lineup.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
An alumnus of the University of North Dakota, this 29 year old native of Winnipeg, Manitoba has spent his entire 11-year career with the Chicago Blackhawks after being drafted third overall by the team in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Among other accomplishments, he has won three Stanley Cups and a Conn Smythe Trophy, the latter of which he won during the team's 2009-10 playoff run, when he recorded a playoff-high 29 points in 22 games. The Blackhawks captain now has 648 points in 756 career games.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
A 32 year old defenseman from Barrie, Ontario, this player won the James Norris Trophy last season after scoring a career-high 76 points. It was the third season in a row he scored at least 60 points, which is impressive, considering he was drafted as a forward and played that position for the first few years of his career with the Minnesota Wild. Through 916 career games, he has 176 goals and 349 assists for 525 points as well as 587 penalty minutes.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
A native of Montreal, Quebec, this 30 year old defenseman played junior hockey with the Val d'Or Foreurs of the QMJHL and played for the Canadian World Junior Championships team before making the Penguins full-time prior to the 2007-08 regular season. An offensive-minded blueliner, he recorded less than 33 points in each of his first three seasons and then registered a career-high 50 points in 2010-11. He has since recorded seasons of 54 and 67 points and now has 411 points in 641 career games and is a three-time Stanley Cup champion.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
This 25 year old defenseman has struggled quite a bit this season with only 11 points through 39 games, but he was an emerging young defenseman throughout the past few seasons, registering point totals of 37, 37, and 49. A native of South St. Paul, Minnesota, he was drafted 37th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft and played college hockey with the University of Minnesota-Duluth before making the Hurricanes in 2011-12. He now has 203 points in 440 career games.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
A 28 year old native of London, Ontario, this player is regarded as one of the best defenseman in the league and has the accolades to back it up. He won the James Norris Trophy as the league's best defenseman in 2015-16 after posting a career-high 51 points in 82 games and now has 391 points in 728 career regular season games. As good as he has been in the regular season, he has an even better pedigree in the playoffs, winning a pair of Stanley Cups and recording 51 points in 81 games.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
A 28 year old native of Czech Republic, this right winger was selected seventh overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets following an 86-point season with the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL. He recorded an impressive 101 points in 53 games the following season and made his NHL debut in 2008, posting 38 points in 80 games. He spent only three seasons with the Blue Jackets before being dealt to the Philadelphia Flyers in a package for Jeff Carter, who was shortly after dealt to the Los Angeles Kings. He now has 534 points in 725 career games.
Who is this NHL All-Star?
One half of a set of twins, this Swedish winger was selected second overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft (one spot ahead of his twin brother). The 37 year old scored 20 goals in his rookie season back in 2000-01 and followed that up with consecutive 30-plus point seasons. He truly blossomed into an elite player in the 2005-06 season, recording 71 points in 82 games and posted a career-best 104 points in 2010-11, winning the Art Ross Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award. He now has 1,010 points through 1,265 career games.