3. Mike Modano, C (1990-2011)
One of the most prolific American-born players to have graced the NHL with their talents of all-time. Period.
Mike Modano was coolness personified on the ice with the way he wore those vintage Dallas Stars jerseys, and he is without a doubt one of the most iconic American players in both Stars franchise history and the long history of the NHL.
He was a goalscoring and playmaking machine, finishing his career with 561 goals and 813 assists in 1,499 career NHL games, which is the most goals and points for an American-born player in the NHL.
Not only that, but Modano was absolute clutch in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and he has the most assists (88) of any American-born forward in the postseason, while he tallied 23 points (5 G, 18 A) in 23 games to lead the Dallas Stars to the Stanley Cup in 1999, in addition to scoring at least 20 points in each of his three runs to the Final with both the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota North Stars.
2. Chris Chelios, D (1984-2010)
Some will have Chris Chelios as the best American-born player in the history of the NHL, and there isn’t too much wrong with that assessment, although you will understand why we went with our eventual No. 1 when we get to it.
Anyway, Chelios can lay claim to being one of the most fierce competitors of all time, and he was an absolute warrior on the ice throughout his long and storied playing career.
The defenseman put up 948 points (185 G, 763 A) in 1,651 career NHL games, and he played in the most games (266) and had the most assists (113), goals (31), points (144) and penalty minutes (423) of any American-born player in the postseason.
It is no surprise then that Chelios finished his Hall of Fame career with three Stanley Cups and three Norris Trophies, and the fact that he played 26 seasons at the highest level in the NHL is testament to the blueliner’s drive to succeed and stay at the top of his game.
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