It may be called the National Hockey League, but it sure feels more like it could be an international one. Of course, the now-defunct International Hockey League was in operation for decades, but as a North American farm league for NHL teams. Still, there’s nothing purely North American about the NHL, not any longer anyway, not based on a birth-country-by-country breakdown of the 726 players listed as active on team rosters at the start of this 2025-26 season:
Canada – 296 (40.7%)
As one might expect, Canada still reigns supreme in terms of which country’s players are the most well-represented in the NHL. However, Canada’s lead is slowly but surely dwindling.
Of the 726 players on season-opening rosters, 296 of them, or 40.6%, are from Canada. However, nine and a half years ago, it was roughly half, while in the 1980s it was over three-quarters. Needless to say, it’s not just a Canadian game. It’s everyone’s now.
Notable Canadian Player: Take your pick, but let’s go with Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid, who seems to be the consensus best player in the world.
United States – 201 (27.7%)
Hockey is as popular as it’s ever been in the States, which is not just emphasized by the number of NHL players, but the success of its international teams. Granted, two Olympic silver medals for the men’s team since the turn of the century is hardly ground-breaking, but the States did win a historic International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship in 2025… and the women’s team is routinely a contender, winning Olympic gold in South Korea in 2018. What’s maybe more of a testament of their strength is their five straight International Ice Hockey Federation world titles from 2013-19.
Notable American Player: Again, there’s an abundance of riches, but Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews won the Hart Memorial Trophy in 2021-22.
Sweden – 72 (9.9%)
Technically, Gus Forslund was the first Swedish player in the NHL, back in the 1932-33 season. However, he moved to Canada with his family at a young age. It took four more decades for defenseman Thommie Bergman to seriously start blazing trails for his fellow countrymen, primarily as a Detroit Red Wing over an eight-year career.
Notable Swedish Player: Let’s go with Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson, who has won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league’s best player at his position… three times now.
Russia – 56 (7.7%)
Russian players unjustifiably get a bad reputation for being enigmatic, but the skills of those that make it to the NHL cannot be denied. Russian players have helped to shape the modern era of the NHL, from the first Soviet NHL player in Victor Nechayev to defectors during the Cold War led by Alexander Mogilny, to the Red Wings’ famous Russian Five. The threat of departures to the Kontinental Hockey League looms large over the heads of general managers, but, if the talent is there, Russians will always be attractive options at the NHL Entry Draft.
Notable Russian Player: Five playoffs ago, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov led the league in playoff scoring en route to helping his team capture a second straight Stanley Cup. So, he’s as good a representative as any, especially as a former Hart winner himself (and the most recent Art Ross Trophy winner as the leading point scorer in 2024-25… and 2023-24).
Finland – 39 (5.4%)
Albert Pudas was technically the first Finnish-born NHLer. He was also technically an original Toronto Maple Leaf, with the St. Pats changing their name during his first and only season in 1926-27. He only played four games, without scoring a point, though. Pudas was also raised in Canada, meaning center Matti Hagman, who played four seasons instead, is credited as the first.
Notable Finnish Player: Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov’s name may sound Russian, but it’s actually his father’s, almost literally. Russian Alexander Barkov Sr. played professionally in Finland, where Aleksander was born (and trained). Clearly, Finland did a good job, with Barkov, who’s unfortunately projected to be out of action due to injury in 2025-26, winning the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward for the two past seasons (and 2020-21).
Czech Republic – 20 (2.8%)
Ever since the Czechs won gold at the 1998 Winter Olympics, they’ve been seen as a major world power. Truth be told, since the official birth of the Czech Republic in the early 1990s, they’ve always been up there. From 1995 until 2001, they medaled every year at either the Olympics or the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship.
Notable Czech Player: Boston Bruins forward David Pastrnak is the active points leader among Czech players (Jaromir Jagr is first all-time as if there was any doubt). There’s really no risk of Pastrnak catching him though, with Jagr holding an 1,100-point lead over his compatriot.
Switzerland – 11 (1.5%)
Switzerland, perhaps surprisingly, hovers around the 10-player mark. Of course, to be fair, that does include Anaheim Ducks rookie Mason McTavish, who grew up Canadian. He did play in Switzerland instead of the Ontario Hockey League during the shortened 2020-21 season, for what it’s worth.
Notable Swiss Player: Despite playing in the shadow of ex-teammate and defensive partner Shea Weber for his first few seasons, Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi has come into his own as one of the league’s premier defensemen, winning the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2020.
Latvia – 6 (0.8%)
Despite flying relatively under the radar, Latvians have been relatively well-represented in recent NHL history. Defenseman Sandis Ozolinsh, of 1996 Stanley Cup-winning fame with the Avalanche, leads all Latvians with 564 points in 875 career games. Goalie Arturs Irbe meanwhile suited up for 568 games, going 218-236-79 in his career with a 2.83 Goals-Against Average and .899 Save Percentage.
Notable Latvian Player: Lightning forward Zemgus Girgensons did make the All-Star Game that one season. Even if it drew attention to the faulty system, it still counts. Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins has probably been passed the torch at this point though.
Slovakia – 5 (0.7%)
The most famous Slovakian NHL player was also its first in Canadian-raised Stan Mikita. The Chicago Black Hawks great passed away in 2018 as a Hockey Hall of Famer and arguably one of the greatest of all time, whatever the country.
Notable Slovakian Player: Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky has emerged as a core member of the Habs since being drafted first overall at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
Germany – 4 (0.6%)
Historically speaking, some may think Germany doesn’t have a significant presence in the NHL. Germans actually have a Stanley Cup-winning goal to their credit though, with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Uwe Krupp ending a marathon three-overtime Game 4 in 1996.
Notable German Player: Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl may be seen simply as the guy who rides shotgun with McDavid. Nothing could be further from the truth, seeing as he got drafted high (the highest of all Germans ever at No. 3 overall in 2014, now tied with Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle) on his own merits. Furthermore, he also won the Hart in 2020.
The Best of the Rest of the World
Austria – 3 (0.4%): The title of most accomplished Austrian-born NHLer has been passed to Chicago Blackhawks forward Andre Burakovsky, who represents Sweden internationally. If you’re going for Austrian through and through, then you’ve got Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi.
Denmark – 3: Already a legitimate starter in the NHL, Carolina Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen established himself as one of the league’s best in 2021-22.
Belarus – 3: Washington Capitals forward Aliaksei Protas makes this list, notably having broken out with a 30-goal, 66-point 2024-25.
Norway – 1 (0.1%): Wild forward Mats Zuccarello remains one of the league’s premier little big men, having put together a career-best 2021-22 season, during which he scored 79 points in 70 games. However, seeing as he wasn’t officially on the Wild’s opening-night roster, the “one” is in reference to Lightning defenseman Emil Lilleberg.
France – 1: French forward Alexandre Texier changed teams last offseason, getting traded to the St. Louis Blues by the Columbus Blue Jackets after scoring career-high 12-goal and 30-point totals in 2023-24.
Great Britain – 1: Texier’s teammate, Nathan Walker, also makes this list. Despite being the first Australian to ever play in the NHL), he was born in Wales… making him the only current British-born player instead.
Australia – 1: No fear… Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jordan Spence puts Australia on the board. Granted, he grew up in Prince Edward Island, in Canada, after having spent his early childhood in Japan, but, having been born Down Under, he falls under Australia based on this list’s criteria.
Bulgaria – 1: Sabres goalie Alexandar Georgiev is a dual-citizen of Bulgaria and Russia, but he was born in the former country.
South Africa – 1: Making his NHL debut in 2025-26, Penguins defenseman Harrison Brunicke, who grew up in Canada, was born in Johannesburg.
Slovenia – 1: Los Angeles Kings star Anze Kopitar is also the first Slovenian to ever play in the NHL, setting a great example for aspiring hockey players in his country.
