A Nations Best

Today's blog is a joint effort by both myself and Smith. We will name all 30 countries that are proud ton have produced at least one NHL player. This goes from powerhouse such as Canada and the USA, to countries such as Taiwan and Lebanon, but all the players have played in the NHL at one point or another. Some may say there are better players that have not played in the NHL, so we also have an Honorable Mention bit for some of the Countries, for example, how could we have left out Vladislav Tretiak from Russia's best? Some of the players were just born in the country they represent but play for another Nation when it comes to international play, such as Dany Heatley who was born in Germany but plays for Team Canada. Anyways there are about 30 countries so we will waste no time and get right into it.

First of all is the nation of Canada, producing some of the games best players ever to grace NHL ice, it was actually rather easy to name the best.
Wayne Gretzky 1487GP, 894Goals, 1963Assists, 2857Points, 4 Stanley Cups, and the best player the NHL has ever known.

Honorable Mention: We actually have three honorable mentions, first being Martin Brodeur. This goalie is about to rewrite the record books as the best goalie the NHL has ever seen, with 538 wins, he is only 7 wins back of Patrick Roy. Second honorable mention is Bobby Orr, for possibly redefining defensemen in the NHL. Last but not least is Gordie Howe, he played in 5 decades and has the phrase "the Gordie Howe Hat Trick" named after him, for a fight, a goal, and an assist, and that's all just the tip of the iceberg for Canada.

USA
Mike Modano – He is the all-time goal-scoring and points leader amongst American-born players. He is a former #1 overall pick ('88 MIN) and a Calder, Selke and Lady Byng Trophy runner-up. He's a former 50-goal scorer and is the franchise leader in all statistical categories for the Minnesota/Dallas franchise. Hes appeared in 7 All-Star games, 2 World Jr's, 3 Olympics, 3 World Championships and 2 World Cups. His career has paved the way for the rising number of Americans in the NHL including 4 #1 Selections: Brian Lawton, Bryan Berard, Rick Dipietro and Eric Johnson.
Honorable Mention: Mike Richter – The former 1st rounder had HOF worthy career. He holds almost every goal tending record in NYR history and is a 3-time All-Star (wining MVP in '94). In his Stanley Cup winning year of 93-94, he had a staggering 70.5% point percentage and a .910 save %. He was named the MVP of the '96 World Cup team and appeared on the cover of EA Sports NHL '93. Since his retirement, he has graduated from Yale and has plans to run for congress in his home state of Connecticut.

Russia
Sergei Fedorov – This guy is a points machine. He is the all-time Russian-born leader in Goals and Points and ranks 4th all-time in G, A and PTS for the mighty Red Wings. He is a 6 time All-Star, 3 time Stanley Cup winner and the '94 league MVP. He is one of the few Russian to take a serious look at the defensive side of the game, winning the Selke trophy twice in a three year span. He is also a 2-time Olympian winning Silver in Nagano and Bronze in Salt Lake.

Honorable Mention: Vladislav Tretiak – Undoubtedly, the greatest player never to play an NHL game and is arguably the greatest goaltender the game has ever seen. He won Olympic Gold in '72, '76 and '84.. He won World Championship Gold in '70, '71, '73, '74, '75, '79, '80, '81, '82 and '83 and Canada Cup Gold in '81.

Finland
Finland's all time leading scorer is Jari Kurri. He finished his career with 601 Goals, 797 Assists, 1398 Points, and 5 Stanley Cups. Achievements include a Lady Byng Trophy and 8 NHL all star game appearances. This makes him Finland's number one player all time.

Honorable Mention: Teemu Selanne, holds the records for most goals and points by a rookie (76 goals and 132 points) and holds almost every franchise record for the Anaheim Ducks. He has appeared in 10 NHL all star games, and won the Calder, Rocket Richard, and Bill Masterton trophy's. He also has one Stanley Cup.

Sweden
This one is a slightly arguable subject. Mats Sundin leads all Swedish players in all time points, however, myself and Smith came to the conclusion that Peter Forseberg would be the best player to ever wear the triple crown that represents Sweden. Winning the Art Ross, Calder Memorial, and Hart Memorial trophies. Playing 7 NHL all star games, winning two Stanley Cups, and winning 4 Gold medals at the Winter Olympics. His totals include 249 Goals, and 885 Points in just 706 games.

Honorable Mention: Nicklas Lidtsrom. Has won 2 Olympic Golds, 4 Stanley Cups, 6 Norris Trophies, and one Conn Smyth. With an all time +378 plus minus, and 938 points. He has never once been a minus player in his entire career.

Czech Republic
Jaromir Jagr- The best European player to ever grace NHL ice surfaces. He is a two time Stanley Cup champion, he has won the Hart Trophy, the Art Ross 5 times, and the Lester B. Pearson 3 times. He played in 9 NHL all star games, and hold a handful of records for the New York Rangers.

Honorable Mention: Dominik Hasek- Holds NHL records for highest career save percentage (.922), he won the Hart Trophy twice, Lester B. Pearson twice, the Vezina 6 times, and the William M Jennings 3 times. He backstopped the Czech Republic to a memorable Gold Medal in the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, and has appeared in 4 NHL all star games.

Slovakia
Stan Mikita- Leads all Slovak's with 541 Goals, and 1467 Assists. He won the Hart Memorial twice, the Art Ross 4 times, and the Lady Byng twice. Played in the NHL all star game 9 times, also won the Lester Patrick trophy. The only NHL player in history to win the Hart, Art Ross and Lady Byng trophies in the same year, which he did twice. He played his whole career (22 seasons) with the Chicago Blackhawks. He and Bobby Hull invented the curved blade of the hockey stick. He only won one Stanley Cup.

Honorable Mention: Peter Stastny. He made an immediate impact by becoming the 1st rookie to record over 100 PTS, and would go on to record over 1000 PTS in the 1980's. He recorded 6 consecutive 100PT seasons, holds the NHL record for PTS in a road game (4G, 4A) and was elected to the HOF in 1998. Currently he is in politics and is a part of the Members of European Parliament.

England--Steve Thomas- 1235 GP 421G 512A 933P

Ukraine --Peter Bondra-1081GP 503G 389A 892P

Serbia--Ivan Boldirev-1052GP 361G 505A 866P

North Ireland --Owen Nolan- 1068GP 381G 426A 807P

Germany--Dany Heatley- 425GP 221G 250A 471P

France --Paul Maclean- 719GP 324G 349A 673P

Italy --Nelson Debenedet- 46GP 10G 4A 14P

Lithuania --Darius Kasparaitis- 863GP 27G 136A 163P (oh and gave Lindros his first cuncussion)

Slovenia --Anze Kopitar- 154GP 52G 86A 138P

Latvia -- Sandis Ozolinsh- 875 GP, 167G, 397A, 564P

Jamaica -- Graeme Townshend- 45GP, 3G, 7A, 10P

Lebanon --Ed Hatoum- 47GP, 3G, 6A, 9P

South Africa -- Olaf Kolzig- 711GP, 0G, 17A, 17P

Taiwan -- Rod Langway- 994GP, 51G, 278A, 329P

Paraguay -- Willi Plett- 834GP, 222G, 215A, 437P

Scotland -- Steve Smith- 804GP, 72G, 303A, 375P

Austria -- Thomas Vanek- 259GP, 116G, 95A, 211P

Netherlands -- Ed Kea- 583GP, 30G, 145A, 175P

Belarus -- Ruslan Salei- 772GP, 38G, 131A, 169P

South Korea -- Richard Park- 546GP, 74G, 98A, 172 P

Brazil -- Robyn Regehr- 605GP, 25G, 98A, 123P

Indonesia -- Richie Regehr- 20GP, 1G, 3A, 4P

Haiti -- Claude Vilgrain- 89GP, 21G, 32A, 53P

Denmark -- Poul Popiel- 224GP, 13G, 41A, 54P

Brunei -- Craig Adams- 462 GP, 35G, 48A, 83P

Venezuela -- Rick Chartraw- 420GP, 28G, 65A, 93P

Tanzania -- Chris Nielsen- 52 GP, 6G, 8A, 14P

Whales -- Jack Evans- 753GP, 19G, 80A, 99P

Norway -- Espen Knutsen- 207GP, 30G, 81A, 111P

Nigeria -- Rumun Ndur- 69GP, 2G, 3A, 5P

Belgium -- Jan Benda- 9GP, 0G, 3A, 3P