From Czechoslovakia, Ales Hemsky probably never got the overall respect that he should have, as his best seasons in the NHL were with the Edmonton Oilers at a time when they were not that good.

When the Oilers were in the World Hockey Association, there was not a lot to cheer for, but the city of Edmonton supported them anyway.  One of the biggest reasons for that was Al Hamilton, their first defensive star, or realistically, their first real star period.

Bill Ranford began his career with the Boston Bruins and was traded to Edmonton when the Bruins for Geoff Courtnall and Andy Moog in 1988.  Ranford took over Moog's role as the Oilers backup Goalie, and while he did not play in the 1988 Playoffs, he did win his first Stanley Cup Ring when the Oilers won their fourth Cup.

Esa Tikkanen was one of the early stars from Finland in the National Hockey League, but what he is probably known mostly for was being one of the best (infamous) agitators in NHL history.