National Hockey League (NHL)

National Hockey League (NHL) Image

Similar to other professional sports, the National Hockey League (NHL) is also a global sport and includes professional athletes born in the United States and athletes born abroad. When the NHL was established in 1917 it was comprised of only four teams which were located in Canada. Seven years later, the first U.S. team, the Boston Bruins, were added to the league. Prior to 1924, only 6 players who were born in the United States played in the NHL. From 1924 to the present, 17% of NHL players who debuted in the league were born in the United States. 

Unlike other U.S. professional sports, over time there has been an increase in players born in the United States playing in the NHL. This increase is most significant starting in the 1970s. During this time, the NHL expanded to 12 teams starting in 1967. The NHL further expanded to 21 teams by 1979 and reached 30 teams by 2000. 

Not only is there an increase in native-born players debuting in the NHL starting in 1970, but there is also an increase in foreign-born players debuting in the league who were born in countries outside of North America. Between the years 1918 to 1969, foreign-born players were born in 13 different countries. However, from 1970 to the present, the number of countries foreign-born players represent nearly triples to 34. 

While Canadian and European players comprise 99.8% of all foreign-born players who debuted in the league since 1970, during this time of expansion there have been players born in countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Oceania who also debuted in the NHL.

For more information regarding foreign-born players in the NHL during the 2022-2023 season, click on the below link:

2023 NHL Fact Sheet

For more information regarding foreign-born players in the NHL in prior seasons, click on the below link:

2021-2022 National Hockey League Fact Sheet