Who is the best American player ever?

Who's the greatest hockey player of all time? 

This is a favorite topic for hockey fans, especially those who like to think they have a perspective on the history and development of the game.  The debate usually comes down to the "holy trinity" of Gretzky, Orr & Howe while a few contrarians make the case for Lemieux, Harvey and perhaps Richard. 

All of these players are Canadian, and watching the US Olympic team got HockeyDirt thinking about the greatest American player of all time.  In our view the American short list comes down to 3 defencemen - Phil Housley, Brian Leetch & Chris Chelios, and a handful of scorers - Joe Mullen, Pat Lafontaine, Brett Hull, Jeremy Roenick & Mike Modano.   We could also add Mike Richter and Tom Barasso to the list, but as difficult as it is to compare forwards and defencemen, it is even tougher to include goalies in the debate so we'll leave them out of the discussion. 

Phil Housley played close to 1,500 NHL games, enough to rank him 10th on the alltime list.  Housley was drafted sixth overall by Buffalo in 1982 and spent 8 years with the Sabres.  Over the course of his 21 year career Housley played for 9 teams, but spent most of his time in Buffalo and Calgary. He case for Housley would rest largely on his longevity.  Despite posting impressive offensive numbers, Housley never won the Norris Trophy.  In 1992-93, arguably his best year, Housley recorded 97 points, but lost out in the Norris voting to Chris Chelios. Housley's only shot at the Stanley Cup came with Washington in 1997-98, the year the Capitals were swept by the Red Wings. 

Like Housley, Brian Leetch is an offensive-minded defenceman.  Along with over 1,000 points, Leetch has picked up a Calder and a Conn Smyth trophy to go along with his two Norris'.   In 1994, he teamed up with Mark Messier to lead the Rangers to a seven-game Stanley Cup win over the Canucks, picking up 11 goals and 23 assists to lead all playoff scorers.  The book remains open on Leetch, who is still an effective player for the Bruins with 4 goals and 20 assists so far this season. 

A stronger case can be made for the third defencemen on the list, Chris Chelios. If the 44 year-old continues to play next season he will pass Housley to become the American player who has appeared in the most NHL games. While not as offensively gifted as Housley or Leetch, Chelios brings a more solid defensive game, a physical presence and a nastiness that separates him from the others.  Cheli was drafted 40th overall by Montreal in 1981 and was a runner-up to Mario Lemieux for the Calder award in 1984-85.  Chelios has been named the league's top defenceman 3 times, once with Montreal, and twice with the Blackhawks.  Chelios is currently playing in his 4th Olympics for the US, a record he shares with Keith Tkachuk. 

Joe Mullen is definately the best American player never drafted.  Despite a solid college career Mullen was passed over in the draft, largely because of his size.  He signed as a free agent with St. Louis and went on to average a point a game during a 17 year career with St. Louis, Calgary, Pittsburgh & Boston.  He was the first American to score 500 goals and 1000 points.  Along the way Mullen picked up two Lady Byng awards and was a key member of Calgary's 1989 Cup winning team.  He won the Cup two more times as a member of the Pittsbugh Penguins. 

Pat Lafontaine's injury plagued career came to a premature end in 1998 when a collision with a teammate caused a second major concussion.  In only 865 games Lafontaine scored 468 goals and added 545 assists.  In the late 1980s and early 1990s Lafontaine scored over 40 goals in 6 consecutive seasons.  In 1993-94 he tallied 53 goals and 95 assists for a career high 148 points and came second to Mario Lemieux in the scoring race.

It is tempting to place an asterisk beside Brett Hull's name, because he wasn't really an American.  The Golden Brett was born and raised in Canada.  In 1986, while still a young and unproven player, Hull was passed over in the selection of the Canadian team to play in the World Championships.  Hull, taking advantage of dual citizenship (his mother is American), opted to join Team USA and never looked back, joining the US squad for both the Nagano and Salt Lake city Games. 

Hull was a prolific scorer, recording 72, 86 and 70 goals in consecutive seasons with St. Louis.  Eight times Hull scored 40 or more goals and with 741 career goals he sits third on the alltime list behind only Gretzky & Howe.   Hull won the Lady Byng in 1990 and the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player in his 131 point 1990-91 campaign.  The knock on Hull was his indifferent defensive play.  In 9 of his 17 full seasons Hull had a negative plus/minus rating.  In his 54 goal/101 point 1992-93 season Hull somehow managed to finish with a -27 rating!  Remarkably, given his offensive production, Hull holds a meagre +23 rating over his career.

Jeremy Roenick deserves consideration as the best American player ever because he's told the world many times what a great player he is. Setting JRo's bluster and bravado aside, he was (is?) a great player.  If he returns next season he will likely join the elite 500 goal/1000 point club.  He was the first American player to record 3 consecutive 100+ points seasons, and he's scored over 50 goals twice. When he retires Roenick will likely hold the league record for concussions with 10, or more. 

The Minnesota North Stars blew it in 1983 when they made Brian Lawton the first American to be drafted #1 overall, passing over Lafontaine, Yzerman & Neely.  The Stars surely got it right when they made Mike Modano the top pick in 1988.   Modano had a solid rookie season, scoring 29 goals and adding  46 assists.  He lost out in the Calder voting to 31 year old "rookie" Sergei Makarov.  Modano has been a consistent and reliable scorer in 16 seasons with the Stars.  Assuming Modano has more productive hockey ahead of him, he will enter the 500 goal club next year, and he continues to score at a point and game pace. 

So, who's the best? 

If we set aside the citizenship question, and accept his glaring defensive inadequacies, it is hard to ignore Brett Hull's goal scoring accomplishments.  Only Gretzky scored more goals in a season than Hull's 86.  He sits 3rd on the alltime goals list and 20th on the points list, more than any other American. 

The case can also be made that Hull is the only player on this list to change the game.  Brett Hull's father Bobby is credited (along with Boom Boom Geoffrion) with making the slapshot a necessary skill in every player's arsenal.  Brett Hull perfected and popularized the "one-timer" shot that has become a key weapon for many of the league's best shooters.  Before Hull the one-time shot was a rarity.  Today, players like Dany Heatley and Bryan McCabe make a living off the shot and many teams design power play schemes to take advantage of the shot Hull made popular. 

The best "American" player ever? Brett Hull.  If pressed to name the best "American born" player, we'd turn to the smooth skating and consistent Mike Modano.

(Comments and especially contrary views are welcome.  You can also cast your own vote in the latest Hockeydirt poll in the right sidebar.)

ps - TSN Scott Cullen thinks Brian Leetch is the best American-born player ever, sidestepping the Hull controversy.

Comments

[Chris W]

Wait a second here - while not being the expert on the "one-timer" i would argue that Mike Bossy and the one-timer were before Brett Hull and his one-timer...

[MT]

Bossy? I don't think so. He was more of a wrist/snap shot sniper. A case might be made for Jari Kurri and the one-timer, but I still think a better case can be made for Hull as the player to perfect/popularize the shot.

[Terrence]

I'll dissent and go with Chelios. Chelios, along with Bourque, was the defenceman of the 90s. Hull, excepting an 86-goal year, cannot be argued to be the best forward of any similar period of time. And Chelios never had an Adam Oates.

So I vote Chelios as "greatest" American of all time, although LaFontaine was probably the most purely talented (with Hull right behind him).

[Randy Charles Morin]

If I put a team together of the best NHL hockey players ever (never mind nationality), I might include Brett Hull. None of the other Americans (except maybe Chelios) could be legitimately considered for such a team.

[Matthew]

I think that by far Joe Sakic is the greatest palyer to ever hit the ice. He is not only a god on the ice when it comes to puck handling, but he is a power player as well!!

[Karina]

Oh come on. If you're picking the greatest American player, you have to at least figure in the him being an ambassador for the sport. This can quickly take off Hull and Roenick, because they have had just about as much a negative effect on the game as a positive one (constant yapping and can anyone else say '98 Nagano?). I really think that if his career hadn't been cut short, LaFontaine would've set marks that Modano will reach, but he was an excellent ambassador for the sport. Chelios is up there as well and Leetch must always be mentioned when people start off on their tangets of the '94 Rangers and the Moose.
Who do I choose?
Hrm. Emotionally - LaFontaine. I think if you're making this out as some sort of America's Gretzky, you have to go with the player who emotionally resonates with American hockey fans the most.

[Curtis]

Mike Modano is the best 2-way player on this entire list. If Modano was not playing under Defensive-minded Ken Hitchcock, Modano's offensive numbers would be even greater, although he would not be the great 2-way player that he is today.

[Dan]

I am biased since he is my favorite all time player, but I think that even with injuries cutting years off his career, Pat Lafontaine was the greatest American born player ever. He only really had 2-3 full seasons to show what he could do when healthy, but his points per game played rank right up there with anyone not named Gretzky or Lemieux. Plus he was a truly great person and ambassador for the game.

[Travis]

It's Mike Modano. The best 2 way, probably the most skilled, and possibly the most popular. He's a Champion,he brings you outta yor seat, he's everything a first overall draft pick should be. Give him the 1980's. We're talking huge numbers. Although his numbers are already outstanding, especially given the fact that he's been in a defensive system, and surrounded by mostly defensive type players almost his entire career. He did an Yzewrman like adaptation to the game and he's been nothing short of phenomenal. One of the best players of all-time period.

[Travis]

It's Mike Modano. The best 2 way, probably the most skilled, and possibly the most popular. He's a Champion,he brings you outta your seat, he's everything a first overall draft pick should be. Give him the 1980's. We're talking huge numbers. Although his numbers are already outstanding, especially given the fact that he's been in a defensive system, and surrounded by mostly defensive type players almost his entire career. He did an Yzerman like adaptation to the game and he's been nothing short of phenomenal. One of the best players of all-time period.

[Travis]

It's Mike Modano. The best 2 way, probably the most skilled, and possibly the most popular. He's a Champion,he brings you outta your seat, he's everything a first overall draft pick should be. Give him the 1980's. We're talking huge numbers. Although his numbers are already outstanding, especially given the fact that he's been in a defensive system, and surrounded by mostly defensive type players almost his entire career. He did an Yzerman like adaptation to the game and he's been nothing short of phenomenal. One of the best players of all-time period.