The Top Canadians in NHL: Best 20 Canadian Hockey Players
Recent research shows that more than 40% of NHL players are Canadian, which speaks to the popularity of the NHL in Canada. But how did the culture of hockey and development of grassroots facilities help establish Canada as a leading player in the sport?
With roots dating back to the late 1800s, the early establishment of outdoor rinks and community leagues, and later professional teams and international tournaments, helped hockey become an integral part of Canadian identity.
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The country boasts a vast network of local ice rinks and community centres, providing access to the sport for people of all ages and skill levels. Young players start learning the game at an early age, typically through Tim Horton's sponsored Timbits Sports Program for ages 4 through 8, fostering a love for hockey that often lasts a lifetime.
With so many children playing hockey at a local level, plucking talent from youth games is easy. This focus on development and talent identification has been crucial in creating a constant stream of skilled players for both professional teams and national teams.
But who are the best Canadian players in the world?
We’ve picked out 20 of the best and provided a brief factfile on each.
Top 20 Canadian NHL Players
Connor McDavid
- Current team: Edmonton Oilers
- Career highlights: Ice Hockey World Championships winner.
- Key stats: Most assists in one playoff year (34, 2024 NHL playoffs)
- Awards and Achievements: Five-time Art Ross Trophy winner (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023), three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner (2017, 2021, 2023), and four-time Ted Lindsay Award winner (2017, 2018, 2021, 2023).Widely regarded as the best player in the league, McDavid is known for his exceptional speed and scoring ability. A prolific point scorer and consistent record-breaker, McDavid is a genuine superstar who transcends the sport of ice hockey.
Nathan MacKinnon
- Current team: Colorado Avalanche
- Career highlights: Stanley Cup winner (2022)
- Key stats: MacKinnon registered 140 points during the 23/24 season (51 goals, 89 assists), beating Peter Stastny's franchise record of 139 set in 1981-82.
- Awards and Achievements: Ted Lindsay Award winner (2024).A dynamic forward who has consistently performed at a high level, MacKinnon won the Stanley Cup in 2022.
Sidney Crosby
- Current Team: Pittsburgh Penguins
- Career Highlights: Stanley Cup winner (2009, 2016, 2017), Olympic Gold Medalist (2010, 2014), World Cup of Hockey Champion (2016)
- Key Stats: Crosby registered 132 points during the 23/24 season (45 goals, 87 assists), surpassing his previous career-high of 120 points set in 2006-07.
- Awards and Achievements: Art Ross Trophy winner (2007, 2014), Hart Memorial Trophy winner (2007, 2014), Conn Smythe Trophy winner (2016, 2017), Ted Lindsay Award winner (2007, 2013, 2014)
A veteran and three-time Stanley Cup champion, Crosby remains one of the most dependable players around. A modern-day legend who has seen it all and won the lot.
Cale Makar
- Current Team: Colorado Avalanche
- Career Highlights: Stanley Cup winner (2022)
- Key Stats: He bagged his 100th career NHL goal in his 362nd game making him the fifth-fastest NHL blueliner to hit the 100-goal mark in the modern era
- Awards and Achievements: Ted Lindsay Award winner (2024), Norris Trophy Winner (2022)
Makar is celebrated for his offensive skills from the blue line and is widely considered one of the best defensemen of recent times.
Mitch Marner
- Current Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
- Career Highlights: Ice Hockey World Championships Silver Medal (2017)
- Key Stats: In 2024, Marner became the fastest Maple Leafs player in franchise history to reach 700 points, accomplishing the feat in 622 games.
- Awards and Achievements: NHL First All-Star Team (2021, 2022)
Known for his playmaking ability, Marner has been a key contributor to the Maple Leafs' offense. Smart and canny, he can unlock a defence in a mere moment.
Steven Stamkos
- Current Team: Nashville Predators
- Career Highlights: Stanley Cup Winner (2021, 2022)
- Key Stats: With 1,137 points, Stamkos leads the all-time record in terms of points scored by an individual for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
- Awards and Achievements: Mark Messier Leadership Award (2023)
A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Stamkos is recognized for his powerful shot and scoring touch. A hero among Lightning fans, he moved recently to the Predators after failing to agree to a contract extension.
Brad Marchand
- Current Team: Boston Bruins
- Career Highlights: Stanley Cup Winner (2011)
- Key Stats: In 2024, Brad Marchand became the Bruins' all-time leading playoff goal scorer with 56 goals.
- Awards and Achievements: NHL All-Star Game (2017, 2018)
Marchand combines skill with tenacity, making him one of the most effective forwards in the league. He is the current captain of the Bruins and often leads by example.
John Tavares
- Current Team: Toronto Maple Leafs
- Career Highlights: Winter Olympics Gold Medal (2014), World Cup Of Hockey Gold Medal (2016).
- Key Stats: He became just the fifth player in NHL history to score at least 200 goals with two different teams (Maple Leafs and New York Islanders) along with Wayne Gretzky, Keith Tkachuk, Mark Messier, and Lanny McDonald.
- Awards and Achievements: Six-time All-Star Game player (2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).
A former captain of the New York Islanders, Tavares is known for his leadership and scoring ability. Those qualities were further enhanced in a stint as Canadian team captain during the IIHF in 2024.
Jonathan Huberdeau
- Current Team: Calgary Flames
- Career Highlights: First-ever player to reach 100 points in a single season for the Florida Panthers.
- Key Stats: He is second on the list of all-time assist providers for the Florida Panthers.
- Awards and Achievements: Calder Memorial Trophy (2013).
Despite a marked drop off in form after his transfer to the Flames, Huberdeau remains a creative and dangerous force for any franchise on the ice.
Drew Doughty
- Current Team: Los Angeles Kings
- Career Highlights: Stanley Cup winner (2012, 2014)
- Key Stats: On January 18, 2020, Drew Doughty set an LA Kings’ record when he played in his 460th consecutive game. Doughty led the NHL in ice-time (12,585 minutes) during his record-setting streak.
- Awards and Achievements: Six-time NHL All-Star games (2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019).
An experienced defenseman and two-time Stanley Cup champion, Doughty is known for his all-around game.
Here are the ten other Canadian players that top the list:
- Carey Price (G -Montreal Canadiens) One of the top goaltenders of his generation, Price has won numerous awards, including the Hart Trophy.
- Ryan O'Reilly (C - Toronto Maple Leafs) O'Reilly is known for his two-way play and leadership qualities, having won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2019.
- Sam Reinhart (RW - Florida Panthers) Reinhart has emerged as a top scorer in recent seasons, contributing significantly to his team's success.
- Brendan Gallagher (RW - Montreal Canadiens) Gallagher is known for his gritty play and scoring ability, making him a fan favourite in Montreal.
- Mark Scheifele (C - Winnipeg Jets) Scheifele is a reliable scorer and playmaker, consistently leading the Jets' offensive efforts.
- Thomas Chabot (D - Ottawa Senators) Chabot is recognized for his skating ability and offensive contributions from the blue line.
- Connor Bedard (C - Chicago Blackhawks) The young phenom has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting prospects in recent memory.
- Troy Terry (RW - Anaheim Ducks) Terry has developed into a key scorer for the Ducks, showcasing his offensive talents.
- Jamie Benn (LW - Dallas Stars) A former Hart Trophy winner, Benn remains a significant presence on the ice with his physical play and scoring touch.
- Jordan Eberle (RW - Seattle Kraken) Eberle has been a consistent scorer throughout his career and continues to be an important player for Seattle.
FAQ
How many players in the NHL are Canadian?
The exact number varies each season, but on average, about 45-50% of NHL players are Canadian.
How many Canadians play in the NHL in 2024?
As of 2024, it is estimated that there will be around 180-200 Canadians playing in the NHL.
Who has more Canadians, Florida or Edmonton?
Currently (2024 season), the Edmonton Oilers have more Canadian players than the Florida Panthers.
What NHL team has the least Canadian players?
Currently, the Nashville Predators have the fewest Canadian players in the NHL, with only 6 on their roster.
How many Canadians are on the Florida Panthers?
There are currently 10 Canadian players on the Florida Panthers team.
How many Canadians are on the Oilers?
The Edmonton Oilers have a total of 15 Canadian players on their roster (2024 season).
Are Canadians better than Americans at hockey?
It's subjective and can vary from year to year, but overall Canada has a strong presence in the NHL.