Canadian's better in the playoff's then european's?

This is Detroit Redwings captain Nicklas Lidstrom, who was the first European born captain to lead his team to the Stanley cup in NHL history. Lidstrom has won the Stanley cup four times, Conn Smythe trophy winner, six time Norris trophy winner, Olympic gold metalist, ten time NHL allstar, and still is one of the best NHL defensemen today.

Lidstrom has scored 212 goals and 726 assists for 938 points in 1252 NHL career regular season games. Lidstrom also has scored 149 points in 214 NHL career playoff games.

Canadian’s better in the playoff's then European’s?
I've been wondering if the unwriten rule that Canadian hockey players win cups in the NHL is true, and that Europeans can't hack it in the playoffs? So I decided to do some digging and investigate this, so here it goes.

First I'll look at the content of the two finalists for every cup final in the last 10 years. One thing to take into consideration he is that the number of Europeans grew each year in the NHL.

American players were not counted. Full team rosters. By players place of Birth.

1997 Stanley cup Finals:
Detroit Vs. Philadelphia
Detroit = 18 CAN, 9 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0000341997.html
Philadelphia = 16 CAN, 7 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0000531997.html

1998 Stanley Cup Finals:
Detroit Vs. Washington
Detroit = 16 CAN, 9 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0000341998.html
Washington = 20 CAN, 11 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0000491998.html

1999 Stanley cup Finals:
Dallas Vs. Buffalo
Dallas = 22 CAN, 5 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0002331999.html
Buffalo = 21 CAN, 7 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0000331999.html

2000 Stanley Cup Finals:
Dallas Vs. New Jersey
Dallas = 20 CAN, 4 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0002332000.html
New Jersey = 15 CAN, 13 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0000512000.html

2001 Stanley Cup Finals:
Colorado Vs. New Jersey
Colorado = 18 CAN, 7 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0006902001.html
New Jersey = 15 CAN, 9 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0000512001.html

2002 Stanley Cup Finals:
Detroit Vs. Carolina
Detroit = 19 CAN, 12 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0000342002.html
Carolina = 13 CAN, 7 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0009792002.html

2003 Stanley Cup Finals:
Anaheim Vs. New Jersey
Anaheim = 13 CAN, 13 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0002222003.html
New Jersey = 16 CAN, 8 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0000512003.html

2004 Stanley Cup Finals:
Calgary Vs. Tampa Bay
Calgary = 18 CAN, 7 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0000432004.html
Tampa Bay = 16 CAN, 7 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0000552004.html

2006 Stanley Cup Finals:
Edmonton Vs. Carolina
Edmonton = 20 CAN, 7 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0000412006.html
Carolina = 14 CAN, 8 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0009792006.html

2007 Stanley Cup Finals:
Anaheim Vs. Ottawa
Anaheim = 22 CAN, 4 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0043122007.html
Ottawa = 12 CAN, 10 EUR
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues...0000542007.html

Nationality of NHL players:

858 - Total players
http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app?service=pa...oints&pg=29
452 - CAN = 52.6 %
http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app?service=pa...oints&pg=16
168 - USA = 19.5%
http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app?service=pa...points&pg=6
61 - CZE = 7.1%
http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app?service=pa...points&pg=3
45 - SWE = 5.2%
http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app?service=pa...points&pg=2
33 - FIN = 3.8%
http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app?service=pa...points&pg=2
33 - RUS = 3.8%
http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app?service=pa...points&pg=2
23 - SVK = 2.6%
http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app
9 - UKR = 1 %
http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app
8 - DEU (german) = .9%
http://www.nhl.com/nhlstats/app

CAN = 52.6%
EUR = 24.4%

Nationalities of current NHL team:

Anaheim Ducks:
15 CAN
3 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-ducks

Atlanta Thashers:
12 CAN
10 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-thashers

Boston Bruins:
12 CAN
7 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-bruins

Buffalo Sabres:
12 CAN
11 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-sabres

Calgary Flames:
17 CAN
7 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-flames

Carolina Hurricanes:
12 CAN
5 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-hurricanes

Chicago Black Hawks:
16 CAN
9 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-blackhawks

Colorado Avalanche:
14 CAN
6 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-avalanche

Columbus Blue Jackets:
15 CAN
12 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-blue_jackets

Dallas Stars:
11 CAN
9 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-stars

Detroit Red wings:
8 CAN
14 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-red_wings

Edmonton Oilers:
20 CAN
6 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-oilers

Florida Panthers:
10 CAN
11 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-panthers

Los Angeles Kings:
10 CAN
7 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-kings

Minesota Wild:
13 CAN
9 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-wild

Montreal Canadiens:
11 CAN
11 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-canadiens

Nashville Predators:
10 CAN
6 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-devils

New Jersey Devils:
18 CAN
6 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-predators

NY Islanders:
14 CAN
5 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-islanders

NY Rangers:
9 CAN
9 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-rangers

Ottawa Senators:
13 CAN
7 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-senators

Philadelphia Flyers:
18 CAN
5 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-flyers

Phoenix Coyotes:
12 CAN
9 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-coyotes

Pittsburgh Penquins:
14 CAN
5 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-penguins

San Jose Sharks:
11 CAN
9 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-sharks

St. Louis Blues:
17 CAN
6 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-blues

Tampa Bay Lightning:
21 CAN
6 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-lightning

Toronto Maple Leafs:
15 CAN
7 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-maple_leafs

Vancouver Canucks:
12 CAN
10 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-canucks

Washington Capitals:
10 CAN
10 EUR
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/roster/?hubname=nhl-capitals

NHL Average per team:
CAN = 13.4 Players
EUR = 7.9 Players

I think this comes down to the majority of NHL players being born in North America, in Europe I bet fans say the opposite, that only Europeans players can hack it in the SEL, KHL, and FNL playoffs...

Physicality comparison.

This is Chirs Neil of the Ottawa Senators, during the 2006-2007 NHL regular season Neil lead all NHL players in hits with 288. Neil has 130 career NHL regular season points and 1258 career penalty minutes in 488 career NHL regular games in seven NHL seasons.

Physicality Comparison:

NorwegianOiler approached me with this idea last fall, but I was very busy then, and finally got around to doing it this week. All stats are from NHL.com (RTSS player stats), these stats are questionable in their accuracy, due to each persons idea of what a hit is, being different. Also stats are from the 2006-2007 NHL season, I wanted to do it on this season, but they change daily and would be out dated at the completion of the season. But, overall they still to make a clear picture of what conference hits the most. Trades made this a little messed up, as traded players hit totals were only included on the team they were traded to. If I had their stat’s before they were traded, I would included them, but I don’t have them so here it is.

Anaheim Ducks:
Top Hitter: Samuel Pahlsson (181)
Least hits in 80+ games: Temmu Selanne (10)
Total hits: 1451

Atlanta Thrashers:
Top Hitter: Bobby Holik (153)
Least hits in 80+ games: Slava Kozlov (32)
Total hits: 1483

Boston Bruins:
Top Hitter: Zdeno Chara (203)
Least hits in 80+ games: Marc Savard (35)
Total hits: 1424

Buffalo Sabres:
Top Hitter: Toni Lydman (138)
Least hits in 80+ games: Thomas Vanek (28)
Total hits: 1269

Calgary Flames:
Top Hitter: Dion Phaneuf (197)
Least hits in 80+ games: Kristian Huselius (11)
Total hits: 1584

Carolina Hurricanes:
Top Hitter: Eric Cole (222)
Least hits in 80+ games: Ray Whitney (17)
Total hits: 2017

Chicago BlackHawks:
Top Hitter: Tuomo Ruuto (156)
Least hits in 80+ games: Patrick Sharp (49)
Total hits: 1251

Colorado Avalanche:
Top Hitter: Ken Klee (107)
Least hits in 80+ games: Tyler Arnason (2)
Total hits: 954

Columbus Blue Jackets:
Top Hitter: Ole-Kristian Tellefsen (154)
Least hits in 80+ games: David Vyborny (53)
Total hits: 1367

Dallas Stars:
Top Hitter: Stephane Robidas (197)
Least hits in 80+ games: Jussi Jokinen (23)

Total hits: 1738
Detroit Red Wings:
Top Hitter: Kirk Maltby (125)
Least hits in 80+ games: Nicklas Lidstrom (24)
Total hits: 1248

Edmonton Oilers:
Top Hitter: Jason Smith (151)
Least hits in 80+ games: Petr Sykora (7)
Total hits: 1242

Florida Panthers:
Top Hitter: Ruslan Salei (192)
Least hits in 80+ games: Olli Jokinen (52)
Total hits: 1686

Los Angeles Kings:
Top Hitter: Dustin Brown (258)
Least hits in 80+ games: Alexander Frolov (40)
Total hits: 1345

Minnesota Wild:
Top Hitter: Adam Hall (91)
Least hits in 80+ games: Pierre-Marc Bouchard (9)
Total hits: 1072

Montreal Canadiens:
Top Hitter: Michael Komisarek (248)
Least hits in 80+ games: Tomas Plekanec (26)
Total hits: 1745

Nashville Predators:
Top Hitter: Shea Webber (165)
Least hits in 80+ games: Paul Karyia (16)
Total hits: 1412

New jerseyDevils:
Top Hitter: Collin White (168)
Least hits in 80+ games: Travis Zajac (37)
Total hits: 1310

New York Islanders:
Top Hitter: Sean Hill (252)
Least hits in 80+ games: Miroslav Satan (35)
Total hits: 1875

New York Rangers:
Top Hitter: Rayn Hollweg (231)
Least hits in 80+ games: Jaromir Jagr (23)
Total hits: 1552

Ottawa Senators:
Top Hitter: Chris Neil (288)
Least hits in 80+ games: Tom Preissing (20)
Total hits: 1885

Philadelphia Flyers:
Top Hitter: Darian hatcher (180)
Least hits in 80+ games: R.J. Umberger (69)
Total hits: 1265

Phoenix Coyotes:
Top Hitter: Shane Doan (156)
Least hits in 80+ games: Zbynek Michalek (44)
Total hits: 1350

Pittsburgh Penguins:
Top Hitter: brook Orpik (186)
Least hits in 80+ games: Jordan Staal (53)
Total hits: 1421

San Jose Sharks:
Top Hitter: Kyle McLaren (134)
Least hits in 80+ games: Marc Vlasic (26)
Total hits: 1491

St. Louis Blues:
Top Hitter: Barret Jackman (98)
Least hits in 80+ games: Radek Dvorak (27)
Total hits: 1293

Tampa Bay Lightning:
Top Hitter: Ruslan Fedotenko (136)
Least hits in 80+ games: Brad Richards (24)
Total hits: 1431

Toronto Maple Leafs:
Top Hitter: Chad Kilger (234)
Least hits in 80+ games: Bates Battaglia (60)
Total hits: 1851

Vancouver Canucks:
Top Hitter: Matt Cooke (209)
Least hits in 80+ games: Henrik Sedin (15)
Total hits: 1320

Washington Capitals:
Top Hitter: Alexander Ovechkin (184)
Least hits in 80+ games: Shane Morrisonn 122**
Total hits: 1480

** - Ovechkin was the Only Capital to play over 80 games in 06/07, Morrisonn played 78 games and was second on the team in hits.

Top ten hitters:
1. Chris Neil - OTT - 288
2. Dustin Brown - LA - 258
3. Sean Hill - NYI- 252
4. Michael Komisarek - MON - 248
5. Trent Hunter - NYI - 246
6. Chad Kilger - TOR - 234
7. Ryan Hollweg - NYR - 231
8. Brendan Witt - NYI - 231
9. Eric Cole - CAR - 222
10. Mike Commodore - CAR- 214

Top hitting Teams:(HPG = Hits per game)
1. Carolina Hurricanes: 2017 (24.59 HPG)
2. Ottawa Senators: 1885 (22.98 HPG)
3. New York Islanders: 1875 (22.86 HPG)
4. Toronto Maple Leafs: 1851 (22.57 HPG)
5. Montreal Canadiens: 1745 (21.28 HPG)
6. Dallas Stars: 1738 (21.19 HPG)
7. Florida Panthers: 1686 (20.56 HPG)
8. Calgary Flames: 1584 (19.31 HPG)
9. New York Rangers: 1552 (18.92 HPG)
10. San Jose Sharks: 1491 (18.18 HPG)
11. Atlanta Thrashers: 1483 (18.08 HPG)
12. Washington Capitals: 1480 (18.04 HPG)
13. Anaheim Ducks: 1451 (17.69 HPG)
14. Tampa Bay Lightning: 1431 (17.45 HPG)
15. Boston Bruins: 1424 (17.36 HPG)
16. Pittsburgh Penguins: 1421 (17.32 HPG)
17. Nashville Predators: 1412 (17.21 HPG)
18. Columbus Blue Jackets: 1367 (16.67 HPG)
19. Phoenix Coyotes: 1350 (16.46 HPG)
20. Los Angeles Kings: 1345 (16.40 HPG)
23. Vancouver Canucks: 1320 (16.09 HPG)
22. New Jersey Devils: 1310 (15.97 HPG)
23. St. Louis Blues: 1293 (15.76 HPG)
24. Philadelphia Flyers: 1265 (15.42 HPG)
25. Buffalo Sabers: 1269 (15.25 HPG)
26. Chicago Black Hawks: 1251
27. Detroit Wings: 1248 (15.21 HPG)
28. Edmonton Oilers: 1242 (15.14 HPG)
29. Minnesota Wild: 1072 (13.07 HPG)
30. Colorado Avalanche: 956 (11.65 HPG)

Top hitting Divisions:
Northeast: 8174
Southeast: 8097
Atlantic: 7423
Pacific: 7375
Central: 6571
Northwest: 6174

Top hitting Conferences:

East: 23694
West: 20120

Conclusion of Nationality of NHL drafted players comparison.

Conclusion Of the Nationality of NHL drafted players in the first three rounds of the 1999, 2000, 2001 NHL entry drafts.

This is Dany Heatley who was drafted by the Alanta Thrashers 2nd overall in the 2000 NHL entry draft. Heatley was born in Freiburg, Germany, while his father was playing hockey in Germany. When his father retired Heatley and his family moved to Canada, because of this Heatley has both Canadian and German citizenships.

Heatley is the highest scoring drafted player of the 1999, 2000, and 2001 NHL entry drafts. Currently in his seventh NHL season Heatley has scored 242 goals and 272 assists for 514 points in 469 NHL regular season games with the Alanta Thrashers and the Ottawa Senators. Heatley also has 35 points in 34 career NHL playoff games.

I decided to not include Heatley in with the canadians in this comparison because he was born in Germany. Also there are eurpean prospects that have dual citizenships. A good example of this is the Phoenix 2008 draft pick Victor Tikinov who was born in Russia and raised in the USA while is father worked as a goalie coach for the San Jose Sharks farm team. Edmonton Oilers prospect Slava Trukhno who was born in Russia, but raised in Denmark is another player that is a product of two countries hockey developmental programs.

Totals by Country:

Canada:

Percentage of players drafted - 40.8% (118 of 289 players)

Still Playing in the NHL - 64 (54.2% of drafted players)

Played in the NHL - 89 (75.5% of drafted players)

Never Played in the NHL - 29 (24.5% of drafted Players)

USA:

Percentage of players drafted - 14.5% (42 of 289 players)

Still Playing in the NHL - 25 (59.5% of drafted players)

Played in the NHL - 30 (71.4% of drafted players)

Never Played in the NHL - 12 (28.5% of drafted Players)

Russia:

Percentage of players drafted - 15.9 % (46 of 289 players)

Still Playing in the NHL - 9 (19.5% of drafted players)

Played in the NHL - 22 (65.7% of drafted players)

Never Played in the NHL - 14 (62% of drafted Players)

Czech Republic:

Percentage of players drafted - 6.9% (20 of 289 players)

Still Playing in the NHL - 9 (45% of drafted players)

Played in the NHL - 18 (90% of drafted players)

Never Played in the NHL - 2 (10% of drafted Players)

Sweden:

Percentage of players drafted - 7.2% (21 of 289 players)

Still Playing in the NHL - 11 (52.3% of drafted players)

Played in the NHL - 14 (66% of drafted players)

Never Played in the NHL - 7 (33% of drafted Players)

Finland:

Percentage of players drafted - 4.1% (12 of 289 players)

Still Playing in the NHL - 5 (41% of drafted players)

Played in the NHL - 6 (50% of drafted players)

Never Played in the NHL - 6 (50% of drafted Players)

Rankings:

Percentage of Players drafted:

Canada - 40.8%

Russia - 15.9%

USA - 14.5

Sweden - 7.2%

Czech Republic - 6.9%

Finland - 4.1% -

Missing Slovaks, German's and Ukraine's...

Percentage that are Still Playing in the NHL:

USA - 59.5%

Canada - 54.2%

Sweden - 52.3%

Czech Republic - 45%

Finland - 41%

Russia - 19.5%

Percentage that Played a NHL game:

Czech Republic - 90%

Canada - 75.5%

USA - 71.4%

Sweden - 66%

Russia - 65.7%

Finland - 50%

Never Played an NHL game:

Russia - 62%

Finland - 50%

Sweden - 33%

USA - 28.5

Canada - 24.5%

Czech Republic - 10%

Notable Picks:

1999 NHL Entry draft:

2nd Overall - Daniel Sedin (SWE)

3rd Overall - Henrik Sedin (SWE)

5th OVerall - Tim Connolly (USA)

26th Overall - Martin Havlat (CZE)

91st Overall - Mike Comrie (CAN)

2000 NHL Entry draft:

1st Overall - Rick DiPietro (USA)

2nd Overall - Dany Heatley (DEL)

3rd Overall - Marian Gaborik (SVK)

20th Overall - Alexander Frolov (RUS)

24th Overall 0 Brad Boyes (CAN)

2001 NHL Entry draft:

1st Overall - Ilya Kovalchuk (RUS)

2nd Overall - Jason Spezza (CAN)

13th Overall - Ales Hemsky (CZE)

32nd Overall - Derek Roy (CAN) 4

9th Overall - Mike Cammalleri (CAN)

55th Overall - Jason Pominville (CAN)

Canadian born NHL players drafted in the 1999, 2000, 2001 entry drafts.

This is Jason Spezza who was drafted by the Ottawa Senators 2nd overall in the 2001 NHL entry draft. Currently in his sixth NHL season Spezza has scored 143 goals and 248 assists for 382 points in 365 career NHL regular season games. Spezza also has scored 39 points in 40 career NHL playoff games.

This is the last of the six nationalities. Total comparison to come tomorrow.
Canadian born players drafted in the first three rounds of the 1999,2000,and 2001 NHL Entry drafts.

1999 NHL Entry draft:
6th Overall - Brian Finley
7th Overall - Kris Beech
8th Overall - Taylor Pyatt
9th Overall - Jamie Lundmark
15th Overall - Scott Kelman
17th Overall - Barret Jackman
21st Overall - Nicholas Boynton
22nd Overall - Maxime Ouellet
23rd Overall - Steve McCarthy
30th Overall - Luke Sellars
31st Overall - Charlie Stephens
34th Overall - Ross Lupaschuk
37th Overall - Nolan Yonkman
40th Overall - Alex Auld
42nd Overall - Mike Commodore
45th Overall - Nartin Grenier
47th Overall - Sheldon Keefe
48th Overall - Simon Lajeunesse
49th Overall - Brett Lyask
50th Overall - Brett Clouthier
53rd Overall - Brad Ralph
56th Overall - Matt Zultek
57th Overall - Jeremy Van Hoof
58th Overall - Matt Carkner
59th OVerall - David Inman
60th Overall - Peter Reynolds
64th Overall - Mike Zigomanis
66th Overall - Dan Jancevski
71st Overall - Jason Jaspers
72nd Overall - Brett Angel
73rd Overall - Tim Preston
75th Overall - Brett Scheffelmaier
80th Overall - Jean-Francois Laniel
84th Overall - Brad Fast
86th Overall - Sebastien Caron
89th Overall - Kyle Wanvig
91st Overall - Mike Comrie
92nd Overall - Cory Campbell
94th Overall - Chris Kelly

Percentage of players drafted - 40.6% (39 of 96 players)
Still Playing in the NHL - 17 (43.5% of drafted players)
Played in the NHL - 27 (69.3% of drafted players)
Never Played in the NHL - 12 (30.7% of drafted Players)

2000 NHL Entry Draft:
5th Overall - Raffi Torres
6th OVerall - Scott Hartnell
9th Overall - Brent Krahn
19th Overall - Krystofer Kolanos
23rd Overall - Nathan Smith
24th Overall - Brad Boyes
25th Overall - Steve Ott
26th Overall - Brian Sutherby
28th Overall - Justin Williams
33rd Overall - Nick Schultz
40th Overall - Kurtis Foster
43rd Overall - Matt Penttinger
45th Overall - Mathieu Chouinard
46th Overall - Jarret Stoll
47th Overall - Jared Aulin
48th Overall - Gerard Dicaire
52nd Overall - Shane Endicott
55th Overall - Antoine Vermette
60th Overall - Dan Ellis
65th Overall - David Morrisset
67th Overall - Max Birbrear
69th Overall - Ben Knopp
71st Overall - Thatcher Bell
75th Overall - Justin Papineau
79th Overall - Tyler Hanchuck
80th Overall - Ryan Bayda
82nd Overall - Sean O'Connor
85th Overall - Ramzi Abid
86th Overall - Yanick Lehoux
90th Overall - Jean-Francois Racine
95th Overall - Dominic Moore
96th Overall - Antoin Bergeron

Percentage of players drafted - 33% (32 of 96 players)
Still Playing in the NHL - 18 (56.2% of drafted players)
Played in the NHL - 24 (75% of drafted players)
Never Played in the NHL - 8 (25% of drafted Players)

2001 NHL Entry Draft:
2nd Overall - Jason Spezza
4th Overall - Stephen Weiss
8th Overall - Pascal Leclaire
10th Overall - Dan Blackburn
12th Overall - Dan Hamhuis
14th Overall - Chuck Kobasew
17th Overall - Carlo Colaiacovo
19th Overall - Shaone Morrisonn
21st Overall - Colby Armstrong
23rd Overall - Tim Greason
27th Overall - Jeff Woywitka
28th Overall - Adrian Foster
29th Overall - Adam Munro
31st Overall - Matthew Spiller
32nd Overall - Derek Roy
34th Overall - Greg Watson
35th Overall - Mark Popovic
36th Overall - Kyle Wanvig
37th Overall - Duncan Milroy
43rd Overall - Doug Lynch
46th Overall - Mile Zigomanis
49th Overall - Mike Cammalleri
50th Overall - Chris Thorburn
53rd Overall - Kiel Mcleod
55th Overall - Jason Pominville
57th Overall - Jay McClement
58th Overall - Nathan Paetsch
59th Overall - Matt Keith
65th Overall - Brendan Bell
68th Overall - Grant McNeill
69th Overall - Joel Stepp
72nd Overall - Brandon Nolan
74th Overall - Chris Heid
77th Overall - Darren McLachlan
79th Overall - Garth Murray
80th Overall - Michael Garnett
82nd Overall - Jay Harrison
85th Overall - Aaron Johnson
86th Overall - Drew Fata
88th Overall - Nicolas Corbeil
90th Overall - Owen Fussey
91st Overall - Kevin Estrada
92nd Overall - Anthony Aquino
93rd Overall - Stephane Veilleux
95th Overall - Patrick Sharp
96th Overall - Alexandre Rouleau
97th Overall - Danny Bois

Percentage of players drafted - 48.4% (47 of 97 players)
Still Playing in the NHL - 29 (61.7% of drafted players)
Played in the NHL - 38 (80.8% of drafted players)
Never Played in the NHL - 9 (19.1% of drafted Players)

Totals:
Percentage of players drafted - 40.8% (118 of 289 players)
Still Playing in the NHL - 64 (54.2% of drafted players)
Played in the NHL - 89 (75.5% of drafted players)
Never Played in the NHL - 29 (24.5% of drafted Players)

American born NHL players drafted in the 1999, 2000, 2001 entry drafts.

This is Rick DiPietro who was drafted by the New York Islanders 1st overall in 2000. Currently in his seventh NHL regular season Dipietro has won 117 games, averaged a 2.79 GAA and a .905 save percentage in 273 career NHL games.

American born players drafted in the first three rounds of the 1999, 2000, and 2001 NHL entry drafts.

1999 NHL Entry draft:

5th Overall - Tim Connolly

14th Overall - Jeff Jillson

17th Overall - David Tanabe

20th Overall - Barrett Heisten

32nd Overall - Micheal Ryan

38th Overall - Dan Cavanaugh

44th Overall - Jordan Leopold

51st Overall - Matt Murley

52nd Overall - Adam Hall

54th Overall - Andrew Hutchinson

55th Overall - Doug Janik

61st Overall - Ed Hill

74th Overall - Jason Crain

77th Overall - Craig Anderson

81st Overall - Adam Hauser

82nd Overall - Mark Concannon

87th Overall - Brian Collins

90th Overall - Patrick Aufiero

Percentage of players drafted - 18.7% (18 of 96 players)

Still Playing in the NHL - 8 (44% of drafted players)

Played in the NHL - 12 (66% of drafted players)

Never Played in the NHL - 6 (33% of drafted Players)

2000 NHL Entry Draft:

1st Overall - Rick DiPietro

13th Overall - Ron Hainsey

18th Overall - Brooks Orpik

22nd Overall - David Hale

30th Overall - Jeff Taffe

35th Overall - Brad Winchester

37th Overall - Andy Hilbert

51st Overall - Kris Vernarsky

57th Overall - Matt DeMarchi

62nd Overall - Paul Martin

76th Overall - Micheal Rupp

77th Overall - Robert Fried

88th Overall - Kurt Sauer

93rd Overall - Tim Branham

Percentage of players drafted - 14.5% (14 of 96 players)

Still Playing in the NHL - 10 (71.4% of drafted players)

Played in the NHL - 11 (78.5% of drafted players)

Never Played in the NHL - 3 (21.4% of drafted Players)

2001 NHL Entry Draft:

7th Overall - Mike Komisarek

16th Overall - R.J Umberger

26th Overall - Jason Bacashihua

30th Overall - Dave Steckel

38th Overall - Tim Jackman

52nd Overall - Ed Caron

54th Overall - Noah Welch

73rd OVerall - Craig Anderson

81st Overall - Neil Komadoski

84th Overall - Kenny Smith

Percentage of players drafted - 10.3% (10 of 97 players)

Still Playing in the NHL - 7 (70% of drafted players)

Played in the NHL - 7 (70% of drafted players)

Never Played in the NHL - 3 (30% of drafted Players)

Totals:

Percentage of players drafted - 14.5% (42 of 289 players)

Still Playing in the NHL - 25 (59.5% of drafted players)

Played in the NHL - 30 (71.4% of drafted players)

Never Played in the NHL - 12 (28.5% of drafted Players)

Swedish born NHL players drafted in the 1999, 2000, 2001 entry drafts.

This is Daniel and Henrik Sedin drafted 2nd and 3rd overall in 1999 by the Vancouver Canucks. Both Daniel and Henrik are currently in their eigth NHL season with the Canucks. Daniel has scored 170 goals and 257 assists for 427 points in 607 NHL regular season games and 18 points in 43 playoff games. Henrik has scored 95 goals and 326 assists for 421 points in 611 NHL regular season games and has 20 points in 43 Playoff games.

Swedish born draft picks drafted in the first three rounds of the 1999, 2000, 2001 NHL entry drafts.

1999 NHL entry draft:
2nd Overall - Daniel Sedin
3rd Overall - Henrik Sedin
33rd Overall - Jonas Andersson
78th Overall - Mattias Weinhandl
79th Overall - Johan Asplund
83rd Overall - Niclas Havelid
88th Overall - Jimmie Olvastad
96th Overall - Mathias Tjarnqvist

Percentage of players drafted - 8.3% (8 of 96 players)
Still Playing in the NHL - 5 (62.5% of drafted players)
Played in the NHL - 7 (87.5% of drafted players)
Never Played in the NHL - 1 (12.5% of drafted Players)

2000 NHL Entry draft:
7th Overall - Lars Jonsson
27th Overall - Martin Samuelsson
29th Overall - Niklas Kronwall
36th Overall - Daniel Widing
48th Overall - Jonas Nordqvist
54th Overall - Andreas Lilja
68th Overall - Joel Lundqvist
72nd Overall - Mattias Nilsson

Percentage of players drafted - 8.3% (8 of 96 players)
Still Playing in the NHL - 5 (62.5% of drafted players)
Played in the NHL - 6 (75% of drafted players) Never
Played in the NHL - 2 (25% of drafted Players)

2001 NHL Entry draft:
11th Overall - Fredrik Sjostrom
18th Overall - Jens Karlsson
61st Overall - Andreeas Holmqvist
70th Overall - Yared Hagos
87th Overall - Per Mars

Percentage of players drafted - 5.1% (5 of 97 players)
Still Playing in the NHL - 1 (20% of drafted players)
Played in the NHL - 1 (20% of drafted players)
Never Played in the NHL - 4 (80% of drafted Players)

Totals:
Percentage of players drafted - 7.2% (21 of 289 players)
Still Playing in the NHL - 11 (52.3% of drafted players)
Played in the NHL - 14 (66.5% of drafted players)
Never Played in the NHL - 7 (33.5% of drafted Players)

Finnish born NHL players drafted in the 1999, 2000, 2001 entry drafts.

This is Mikko Koivu who was drafted by the Minnesota Wild 6th overall in the 2001 NHL entry draft. Currently in his fourth NHL season Koivu has scored 49 goals and 109 assists for 158 points in 256 NHL regular season games, Koivu also has six points in eleven NHL playoff games.

Finnish players drafted in the first three rounds of the 1999,2000,and 2001 NHL Entry drafts.

1999 NHL Entry draft:
13th Overall - Jani Rita
27th Overall - Ari Ahonen
41st Overall - Tony Salmelainen
62nd Overall - Teemu Sainomaa
79th Overall - Niklas Hagman

Percentage of players drafted - 5.2% (5 of 96 players)
Still Playing in the NHL - 2 (40% of drafted players)
Played in the NHL - 3 (60% of drafted players)
Never Played in the NHL - 2 (40% of drafted Players)

2000 NHL Entry Draft:
39th Overall - Teemu Laine
41st Overall - Tero Maatta
66th Overall - Tuukka Makela
Percentage of players drafted - 3.1% (3 of 96 players)
Still Playing in the NHL - 0 (0% of drafted players)
Played in the NHL - 0 (0% of drafted players)
Never Played in the NHL - 3 (100% of drafted Players)

2001 NHL Entry Draft:

5th Overall - Mikko koivu
9th Overall - Tuomo Ruutu
48th Overall - Tuomas Pihlman
89th Overall - Tuomas Nissinen

Percentage of players drafted - 4.1% (4 of 97 players)
Still Playing in the NHL - 3 (75% of drafted players)
Played in the NHL - 3 (75% of drafted players)
Never Played in the NHL - 1 (25% of drafted Players)

Totals:
Percentage of players drafted - 4.1% (12 of 289 players)
Still Playing in the NHL - 5 (41% of drafted players)
Played in the NHL - 6 (50% of drafted players)
Never Played in the NHL - 6 (50% of drafted Players

Czech born NHL players drafted in the 1999, 2000, 2001 entry drafts.

This is Ales Hemsky who was drafted by the Edmonton Oilers 13th overall in 2001. Now in his sixth NHL season Hemsky has scored 80 goals, 220 assists for 3oo points in 383 NHL regular season games, Hemsky also has 17 points in 30 career NHL playoff games.

Czech born draft picks drafted in the first three round of the 1999, 2000, 2001 NHL entry drafts.

1999 NHL entry draft:

1st Overall - Patrik Stefan

4th Overall - Pavel Brendl

26th Overall - Martin Havlat

29th Overall - Michal Sivek

76th Overall - Frantusek Kaberle

Percentage of players drafted - 5.2% (5 of 96 players)

Still Playing in the NHL - 2 (40% of drafted players)

Played in the NHL - 5 (100% of drafted players)

Never Played in the NHL - 0 (0% of drafted Players)

2000 NHL Entry draft:

4th Overall - Rostislav Klesla

14th OVerall - Vaclac Nedorost

32nd Overall - Tomas Kurka

42nd Overall - Libor Ustrnul

59th Overall - Ivan Huml

61st Overall - Jakub Cutta

64th Overall - Filip Novak

87th Overall - Jan Bohac

89th Overall - Libor Pivko

Percentage of players drafted - 8.3% (8 of 96 players)

Still Playing in the NHL - 2 (25% of drafted players)

Played in the NHL - 6 (75% of drafted players)

Never Played in the NHL - 2 (25% of drafted Players)

2001 NHL Entry draft:

13th Overall - Ales Hemsky

22nd Overall - Jiri Novotny

24th Overall - Lucas Krajicek

39th Overall - Karel Pilar

45th Overall - Martin Podlesak

51st Overall - Jaroslav Bednar

71st Overall - Tomas Plekanec

Percentage of players drafted - 7.2% (7 of 97 players)

Still Playing in the NHL - 5 (71.4% of drafted players)

Played in the NHL - 7 (100% of drafted players)

Never Played in the NHL - 0 (0% of drafted Players)

Totals:

Percentage of players drafted - 6.9% (20 of 289 players)

Still Playing in the NHL - 9 (45% of drafted players)

Played in the NHL - 18 (90% of drafted players)

Never Played in the NHL - 2 (10% of drafted Players

Russian born NHL players drafted in the 1999, 2000, 2001 entry drafts.

This is Ilya Kovalchuk who has spent his entire NHL career with the Atlanta Thashers. Kovalckuk was the first Russian born and trained player to be picked 1st overall in the NHL entry draft. So far Kovalchuk has scored 270 goals, 239 assists, and 509 points in 510 NHL regular season games.

Drafted players Nationality percentage comparisons.

Disclaimer:These posts are no direct stab at any nationality. I am just stating the facts, that I have found. I will even do Canadian born players. I am gonna do the next six blogs going over the nationality and success rate of NHL drafted players. The country's I am gonna do are Russia, Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Canada and the USA. This is based on place of Birth.I know some players were trained in North America. I will look at the first three rounds of three drafts, after the third round the number of players that make the NHL goes way down. The three drafts I will look at are the 1999, 2000, and 2001 drafts. Due to recent talk about the transfer agreement, today I will look at the Russians.

1999 NHL Entry draft:
11th Overall - Oleg Saprykin
18th Overall - Konstantin Koltsov
19th Overall - Kilill Safronov
25th Overall - Mikhail Klueshov
36th Overall - Alexei Semenov
39th Overall - Alexei Buturlin
43rd Overall - Andrei Shefer
46th Overall - Dmitri Levinsky
63rd Overall - Stepan Mokhov
67th Overall - Evgeny Konstantinov

Percentage of players drafted - 10.4% (10 of 96 players)
Still Playing in the NHL - 0 (0% of drafted players)
Played in the NHL - 5 (50% of drafted players)
Never Played in the NHL - 5 (50% of drafted Players)

2000 NHL Entry draft:
8th Overall - Nikita Alexeev
10th Overall - Mikhail Yakubov
11th Overall - Pavel Vorobiev
12th Overall - Alexei Smirnov
15th Overall - Artem Kryukov
17th Overall - Alexei Mikhnov
20th Overall - Alexander Frolov
21st Overall - Anton Volchenkov
31st Overall - Ilja Nikulin
34th Overall - Ruslan Zaynullin
44th Overall - Ilya Bryzgalov
53rd Overall - Alexander Tatarinov
56th Overall - Alexander Suglobov
58th Overall - Vladmir Sapozhnkov
73rd Overall - Sergei Zinovjev
74th Overall - Igor Radulov
81st Overall - Alexander Kharitonov
83rd Overall - Alexander Lyubimov
91st Overall - Alexei Tereshenko
92nd Overall - Sergei Klyazmin
94th Overall - Alexander Drozdetsky

Percentage of players drafted - 21.8% (21 of 96 players)
Still Playing in the NHL - 5 (25% of drafted players)
Played in the NHL - 11 (52.7% of drafted players)
Never Played in the NHL - 10 (48.3% of drafted Players)

2001 NHL Entry Draft:
1st Overall - Ilya Kovalchuk
3rd Overall - Alexander Svitov
5th Overall - Stanislav Chistov
15th Overall - Igor Knyazev
25th Overall - Alexander Perezhogin
33rd Overall - Timofei Shishkanov
40th Overall - Fedor Tyutin
41st Overall - Andrei Taratukhin
47th Overall - Alexander Polushin
56th Overall - Andrei Medvedev
60th Overall - Victor Uchevatov
62nd Overall - Igor Grigorenko
66th Overall - Fedor Fedorov
75th Overall - Denis Platonov
94th Overall - Evgeny Artyukhin

Percentage of players drafted - 15.4 % (15 of 97 players)
Still Playing in the NHL - 4 (26% of drafted players)
Played in the NHL - 8 (53% of drafted players)
Never Played in the NHL - 7 (46% of drafted Players)

totals:
Percentage of players drafted - 15.9 % (46 of 289 players)
Still Playing in the NHL - 9 (19.5% of drafted players)
Played in the NHL - 24 (52.2% of drafted players)
Never Played in the NHL - 22 (47.8% of drafted Players)

Brule's and Potulny's waiver clearance., Games are running out

This is Gilbert Brule during the Oilers preseason game against the Calgary Flames, last september.

After last nights game I was thinking about Brule, Potulny, and Schremp and how their call ups this season have been great for the Oilers.


Gilbert Brule - 7GP 2G 1A 3P 0
Ryan Potulny - 2GP 0G 3A 3P 3
Rob Schremp - 4GP 0G 3A 3P 2
Liam Reddox - 20GP 2G 2A 4P -3

There's their current stats if you don't know them, its nice for the Oilers to be getting producting from their call ups. But all great things come with a price...

The Oilers were able to call up Brule, Reddox and Potulny due to certain roster players being on the IR. When those players come back Brule, Reddox, and Potulny will have to be send down to reduce the Oilers roster to the NHL limit of 23 players.

As of today the Oilers roster is:
1 - Penner
2 - Horcoff
3 - Hemsky (IR)
4 - Reddox (CU)
5 - Potunly (CU)
6 - Gagner
7 - Cole
8 - Nilsson
9 - Moreau
10 - Cogliano
11 - Pouliot
12 - Pisani (IR)
13 - Brodziak
14 - Stortini (IR)
15 - MacIntyre
16 - Brule
17 - Souray
18 - Visnovsky
19 - Staios
20 - Gilbert
21 - Grebeshkov
22 - Smid
23 - Strudwick
24 - Roloson
25 - Garon
26 - Deslauriers.
27 - Jacques (IR) ---> Will be sent to Springfield on a conditioning stint.

(CU) = Call up.

Right now with Hemsky, Pisani, and Stortini on the IR the Oilers are at the 23 man NHL roster limit, now the Oilers have some thing on their side. All three players will not return from injury at the same time, and Reddox can be returned to the AHL at anytime this season. But Brule and Potulny have limitations.

Brule is limited to three NHL seasons or 160 NHL regular and playoff games, last night was Brule's 153 NHL game. If Brule plays seven more NHL games he will have to clear waivers to be sent to the AHL.

Potunly is limited to ten NHL games before he has to clear waivers to be sent back to the AHL. Potunlny has eight games remaining before he has to clear waivers.The Oilers have a 7 and 8 game window to get Brule and Potulny back to the AHL before they have to clear waivers to be sent down.

Three players on IR and three call ups so all three of Brule, Reddox, and Potulny have to be sent down to meet the NHL 23 man roster limit. Also to add to the is Brule, Reddox, and Potulny are the only Oilers with two way contracts this season.

Hemsky is propably the closest to returning, he might be back in the next seven games, but Pisani and Stortini will propably be longer then that.Hopefully the Oilers don't paint themselves into a corner and have to risk loosing Brule or Potunly.

One way to fix the problem if two of Hemsky, Pisani and Stortini are not back from injury in the next seven games. Is to send Potulny and Brule down and call up Schremp and some one else. I would like to see Trukhno get called up but he is injured, Lerg, Spurgeon, Goulet, or if worst comes to worst O'marra could be called up.