Arguably the best player to come out of the hockey rich state of Minnesota, Neal Broten did not just come from the Gopher State; he played virtually his entire career there. Broten played his collegiate hockey for the University of Minnesota and played the bulk of his career for the Minnesota North Stars. The American Center was part of the 1980 Miracle on Ice team and although he never did get a Stanley Cup Ring in Minnesota, he did gain that accolade with the Devils in 1995. Although Broten failed to get 1,000 career points, he did get more than 60 assists four times in a season and with his Collegiate and International play, he has to be considered a wild card possibility to enter the Hall.

Should someone compile a list of the best all time hockey players from Sweden, Kent Nilsson often gets left out. Nilsson was a largely forgotten international star whose professional path may have made him the forgotten man. After a few years lighting up the Swedish league, Nilsson joined the WHA and the Winnipeg Jets where he was instantly among that organization’s elite. Upon the merger of the WHA and NHL, Nilsson joined the Flames where in the 1980-81 season he had a career year of 131 points. This remains the record both a Swedish born player and Calgary Flame.

Although Peter Bondra was not born in Slovakia (he moved there when he was three), he is one of the best players to ever emerge from the Eastern European nation. After four years in the Czech league, Bondra joined the Washington Capitals and after a few years emerged as their best offensive threat. The Slovakian Sniper not only possessed deadly shot accuracy, but he was also blessed with amazing speed.

Gary Suter started off with a bang winning the Calder Trophy with the Calgary Flames. Suter continued to rack up points for the Flames and the star was able to hoist the Stanley Cup in 1989. Year after year, Gary Suter was among the league leaders in point by a defenseman. With a career garnering 844 points, he is among the elite and is in the conversation when discussing the best American born defenseman ever. Had he ever won a Norris trophy, he would have likely seen his chances increase by a wide margin.