American ranks growing; one-fifth of NHL players are from U.S.

really good to see on all teams the growing american presence and seeing it at the local rinks alot more kids playing hockey again, which is the future and will kee the arena's filled for the next generation..:lol-027:

American ranks growing; one-fifth of NHL players are from U.S.

A record 20.5% of NHL players are American this season, and that number is expected to increase over the next few years.

In 2009-10, the American participation was 19.8% on opening-day rosters.
"We have stated a long-term goal of achieving 30% of the player pool to be Americans," USA Hockey assistant executive director Jim Johannson said. "I think we will attain that number. More importantly, within that number we will have a much larger 'impact player' pool of guys."

Canada remains the top talent supplier, with Canadians holding down 54.4% of roster spots.

According to statistics provided by the NHL, the league has more players who were born in New York state (23) than were born in Russia (22).


Of 711 players on opening-day rosters, 146 were Americans. Minnesota and Michigan still lead the way with 32 and 25, respectively, but 22 states are represented, including Utah, Iowa, California and North Carolina.

"More and more players leads to more kids aspiring and believing they will have an opportunity to succeed at the NHL level," Johannson said. "Look at (New Jersey Devils defenseman) Matt Taormina. … He grows up in Michigan, plays junior hockey in Texarkana, goes to Providence and is now in the NHL."
Projections for rising U.S. participation in the NHL result from the significant number of Americans drafted the last few seasons. Last summer, 11 of the 30 first-round picks, and 28% of all draftees, were American.

The Anaheim Ducks drafted Californian Emerson Etem in June. Among the Nashville Predators' top prospects is Blake Geoffrion, who grew up south of Nashville.

Johannson said the increase of Americans in the player pool reflects the NHL's growth into non-traditional markets, which has led to the building of more rinks. According to Johannson, New York, Colorado, California and Texas are prime growth areas.

"Plus," he said, "we have a real nice wave coming from St. Louis in the next few years."

Key games this week

• Pittsburgh Penguins at Tampa Bay Lightning (Wednesday): Pittsburgh'sSidney Crosby and Tampa Bay's Steven Stamkos tied for the goal-scoring lead last season. This season, both are in the top five in goals.

• Washington Capitals at Minnesota Wild (Thursday): A special-teams bonanza. The Wild lead the league in power-play percentage with an impressive 38.7%. The Capitals have killed off 31 of 35 short-handed situations.

• Devils at Los Angeles Kings (Saturday): Ilya Kovalchuk negotiated with the Kings during the summer but signed with the Devils instead.

Around the rinks:Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk (broken bone in forearm) will miss four weeks. He was working on a three-game point streak before he was slashed Saturday. … The Carolina Hurricanes play their home opener Wednesday. They swept their season-opening series in Helsinki, then went 2-3 on a road trip in North America.
Contributing: Mike Brehm

by state:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hocke...-players_N.htm


Suprisingly the carolina hurricanes have 8( 34%) Usa players...and the blackhawks 4(17%), including ben Smith who i from winston salem NC

can a mod merge both the threads, not sure why ended up as 2? thanks

BTW nice to see carolina team win the junor world's.. the usa talent just keeps growing..

Junior Hurricanes Win Quebec International Title


Coach Paul Strand and members of the team available to media at 6 p.m. Tuesday


Monday, 02.21.2011 / 3:38 PM / News
By Chris Robinson
RALEIGH, NC – Paul Strand, Youth and Amateur Hockey Coordinator for the Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the Carolina Junior Hurricanes finished first in the International-B bracket at the 2011 Quebec International Pee Wee Hockey Tournament. This marks the 10th consecutive year that the 11-and-12 year old Junior Hurricanes have participated in the 12-day tournament, and is the first time the Junior Canes have won their bracket.

Strand, who served as the team’s head coach for the sixth consecutive year, will be available to the media along with members of the team on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. in the RBC Center media room prior to Carolina’s game against the New York Rangers.

The Junior Canes posted a perfect 6-0 record through the International-B bracket, finishing with a 5-3 win against Suisse Romande Lynx from Switzerland. The tam outscored its opponents 32-6 in its six games, and earned wins against Team Northwest Regulators from Salt Lake City (9-1), Team Angleterre from England (4-1), the Moncton Wildcats from New Brunswick (8-0), the Colorado Avalanche (3-1) and the Anaheim Junior Ducks (3-0). The Junior Canes also went 4-0 in exhibition games while in Quebec, including a 2-1 win against the Barrie Colts of the higher-rated AA bracket.

The Junior Canes had eight of the top 10 scorers in the International-B division. John Moncovich led all International-B skaters with eight points (4g, 4a) in the team’s six games. Captain Riley Stillman (4g, 3a), Colby Pederson (4g, 3a) and Nicholas Wildgoose (2g, 5a) finished tied for second among all International-B bracket skaters with seven points. Goaltender Britt League posted a 0.96 goals-against average and one shutout while earning wins in all six games.

Since beginning in 1960, more than 600 National Hockey League players have participated in the tournament, including Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Guy Lafleur, Ron Francis and current Hurricanes Tim Gleason, Chad LaRose Sergei Samsonov, Jeff Skinner and Jiri Tlusty. The Junior Hurricanes first gained acceptance into the Quebec International Hockey Pee Wee Tournament in 2002. The team scored its first tournament game victory in 2004, and won four tournament games in 2005 en route to their bracket’s semifinals, including a win over Littleton, CO, the team that went on to win the U.S. Ice Hockey National Championship later that year.