Couch Coaches United

Coming off the thrill of both the United States Women’s and Men’s Olympic Hockey teams winning gold medals in overtime over familiar foe Canada; it is only fitting to recognize the ten best American NHL players of all-time.

Honorable Mentions:

Matthew Tkachuk: Tkachuk has played 653 games in his NHL career recording 244 goals, 401 assists for a total of 645 points, along with a plus minus of 124. The Arizona born player’s gritty style has also tallied him 721 penalty minutes total.

Throughout his career thus far he has accomplished several things including two 100-plus point seasons, four 70-plus point seasons, along with winning gold in the 2014 under-17 world championship, and 2015 under-18 world championship.

The two-time all-star also has won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024, and 2025 with the Florida Panthers, and is most recently celebrating an Olympic Gold Medal in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan where he served as the United States Men’s alternate captain.

Joe Pavelski: Pavelski had an unbelievable career of 1,332 games played tallying 476 goals (7th among US players), 592 assists for a grand total of 1,068 points (6th among US players). With recording all these points, this allowed Pavelski to achieve the seventh best plus-minus of US born players of 201.

The four-time all-star also recorded the fifth most game winning goals among US players of 75, and the most playoff goals by a US player with 74; along with five 70-plus point seasons, and fourteen 20-plus goal seasons.

Despite never achieving the ultimate goal of winning a Stanley Cup, the Wisconsin native won a silver medal in the 2010 Olympics representing the United States in Vancouver.

10. Mark Howe: Arguably one of the biggest shadows to play under being the son of “Mr. Hockey” Gordie Howe, Mark Howe earned himself an incredible career of his own. Playing in 929 games, Howe recorded 197 goals, and 545 assists for a total of 742 points and 455 penalty minutes as one of the league’s best two-way Defenseman.

A few other notable achievements Howe made was the highest plus-minus of a US born player with a plus-minus of 400, the most shorthanded goals as a Defenseman with 28, and in the 1985-86 season the Detroit native set a record, that still holds to this day, for highest plus-minus in a single season of 87.

Yet making it to the Stanley Cup Finals three times, and being a runner up for the Norris Trophy three times, Mark Howe came short to win either; however, the sixteen-year NHL vet was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011 following his previously stated achievements, along with playing in the NHL All-Star Game five times, and recording five 60-plus point seasons.

9. Auston Matthews: The second of three current NHL players included in this list is Auston Matthews, who thus far in his career has played 682 games tallying 427 goals (9th among US players), 350 assists, for 777 points, and a plus-minus of 152.

Internationally all Matthews knows how to do is win including gold in the 2014 under-17, and under-18 World Juniors, as well as gold in the 2015 under-18 World Juniors. Despite falling short in the Four Nations last year to Canada, Matthews redeemed himself by being team Captain of the United States in the 2026 Winter Olympics, which saw the United States win gold over Canada 2-1 in overtime.

Now back to the NHL, the Arizona native has already played in seven All-Star games, along with winning the Rocket Richard Trophy for most goals in the NHL three times (2021, 2022, 2024), and the Hart Memorial Trophy as league MVP, and the Ted Lindsay Trophy as most outstanding player both in 2022. You can also add to this winning rookie of the year in 2017 by being awarded the Calder Trophy.

Right from the beginning Matthews has been a natural goal scorer, scoring four goals in his first NHL game, having the ninth most game winning goals by a US player with 66, along with 108 power play goals.

In his tenth season in the NHL, Matthews is looking to have his seventh 40-plus goal season, however, has also had two 100-plus point seasons along the way despite experiencing challenges making deep runs in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

8. Brian Leetch: Another Defenseman making the list is Brian Leetch who was born in Texas, but grew up predominantly in Connecticut and attended Avon Old Farms School before going on to play at Boston College.

Over the course of his 1,205 games played Leetch scored 247 goals and recorded 781 assists (4th among US players), for a total of 1,028 points (10th among US players). Shockingly Leetch’s plus-minus was only a 25 but showed some grit in acquiring 571 penalty minutes.

Individually the eleven-time All-Star won the Norris Trophy as league’s best defenseman in 1992, and 1997, the Calder Trophy as league’s rookie of the year in 1989, and the Conn Smythe in 1994 as playoffs MVP where his New York Rangers won the Stanley Cup over Vancouver. Stat wise the two-way, arguably offensive defenseman, recorded seven 70-plus point seasons, with a career high of 102 points in 1992, and throughout his career tallied 111 power-play goals.

Internationally Leetch won the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, and silver in the 2002 Winter Olympics representing the United States.

His last achievement was being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009.

7. Chris Chelios: Personally, Chris Chelios is one of my favorite Defenseman. Chelios is the definition of consistency playing in 1,651 games that saw him score 185 goals, 763 assists (5th among US players), for a total of 948 points (13th among US players), and the second best plus-minus among US players of 351.

The 2013 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee won the Norris Trophy three times as Defenseman of the year in 1989, 1993, and 1996, along with three Stanley Cups in 1986, 2002, and 2008. As for individual stats, Chelios has played in the most playoff games among United States players with 266 games played and recorded seven 60-plus point seasons.

The Chicago native also won the 1996 World Cup of Hockey and won a silver medal in the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Following being drafted 40th overall in 1981 by the Montreal Canadiens, Chelios would go on to play in eleven All-Star Games over the course of his 26-year NHL career.

6. Joe Mullen: One of the more forgotten American born players is Joe Mullen. Playing in 1,062 games Mullen scored 502 goals (5th most among US players), 561 assists for a total of 1,063 points (8th most among US players), along with a plus-minus of 167. Mullen also ranks in the top ten among US born players in game winning goals with 73 (6th), and power play goals with 150 (7th).

Along with being a three time All-Star, the New York City native also won three Stanley Cups in 1989 with Calgary, and in 1991, and 1992 with Pittsburgh. It is also worth noting that Mullen’s best season of his career was in 1989 where he recorded 110 points. A total of nine 70-plus point seasons can also be tacked onto that as well, along with the Lady Byng Trophy in 1987, and 1989 awarded to the NHL player who showed the most sportsmanship.

In 2000 Joe Mullen finally achieved the highest honor in the hockey world by being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

5. Keith Tkachuk: Keith Tkachuk may be one of the greatest guys to ever play the game of hockey in the sense of taking care of trainers, and people behind the scenes, along with making it an obligation to him to simply show up and be a great teammate. Born in Medford, Massachusetts Tkachuk attended Malden Catholic High School where he dominated for two years before going on to play for Boston University for one season.

Following being drafted 19th overall by Winnipeg in 1990, Tkachuk or “big walt”, would go onto play in 1,201 games scoring 538 goals (3rd among US players), 527 assists for a total of 1,065 points (7th among US players) as well as 2,219 penalty minutes (4th among US players) with a plus-minus of 33.

Tkachuk was also a natural goal scorer tallying 72 game winning goals (7th among US players), and 212 power play goals (2nd among US players).

Internationally the five-time All-Star won the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, and silver in the 2002 Winter Olympics. Following being inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012, Tkachuk is currently still waiting to get the call from the Hockey Hall of Fame despite tacking on an additional six 70-plus point seasons over the course of his career.

4. Jeremy Roenick: As if this guy did not achieve a ton over the course of his career, at the very least you would never fail to not be entertained by Jeremy Roenick. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Roenick attended Thayer Academy where in his final year recorded 84 points (34 goals, 50 assists) in just 24 games before being drafted eighth overall by Chicago in 1988 as one of the first eighteen-year-olds drafted right out of high school.

Roenick would go on to play 1,363 games scoring 513 goals (4th among US players), 703 assists (7th among US players), for a total of 1,216 points (5th among US players), and a plus-minus of 153; his toughness was also unmatched even to this day which helped him amount to 1,463 penalty minutes along with coming back just sixteen days after breaking his jaw in three places along with his thumb with zero additional protection.

The nine-time All-Star had three 100-plus point seasons, seven 70-plus point seasons, scored 92 game winning goals (2nd among US players), 184 powerplay goals (3rd among US players), and 28 shorthanded goals (3rd among US players).

The Massachusetts native was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2024 which was absolutely long overdue but the best way to cap off an incredible career that included a silver medal in the 2002 Winter Olympics.

3. Mike Modano: Born in Michigan, Mike Modano was a generational talent from day one. Playing for Detroit Compuware recording 131 points (66 goals, 65 assists) in just 69 games before going onto the Prince Albert Raiders in the WHL where he recorded 127 points (47 goals, 80 assists) in 65 games, and 105 points (39 goals, 66 assists) in 41 games before getting called up to the Minnesota North Stars in !989 who drafted him first overall in 1988.

Once he got to the NHL nothing changed either, playing in 1,499 games scoring 561 goals (2nd among US players), 813 assists (3rd among US players), for 1,374 points (3rd among US players), and a plus-minus of 114.

As well as scoring 92 game winning goals (2nd among US players), 157 power play goals (5th among US players), and 29 shorthanded goals (2nd among US players), Modano also had twelve 70-plus point seasons, and played in eight All-Star Games.

The 2014 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee also won a Stanley Cup with Dallas in 1999, and silver in the 2002 Winter Olympics.

2. Patrick Kane: The third of three players on this list that still are currently playing, Patrick “showtime” Kane.

Born in Buffalo in 1988 Kane was a part of the United States National Development Program for two years before playing in the OHL for the London Knights where he recorded 145 points (62 goals, 83 assists) in just 58 games.

Drafted first overall in 2007 to Chicago, who knows what was going through Kane’s head as the Blackhawks were an organization in despair at the time.

Once Kane got to Chicago, he never looked back thus far playing in 1,346 games Kane has recorded 500 goals (6th among US players), 875 assists (2nd among US players) for 1,375 points (2nd among US players). The only negative thing one can say about Patrick Kane is that he is strictly an offensive threat despite producing all these points his plus-minus is a straight zero.

Internationally Kane won gold at the under-18 World Championships in 2006, and silver in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Individually the Buffalo native has scored 83 game winning goals (3rd among US players), 140 power play goals (8th among US players), has recorded two 100-plus point seasons, ten 70-plus point seasons, along with the Calder Trophy in 2008, the Art Ross Trophy as league leader in points, the Hart Trophy, and the Ted Lindsay Trophy all in 2016.

On top of playing in nine All-Star Games, Kane has won three Stanley Cups, all with Chicago, in 2010, 2013 (was also awarded the Conn Smythe as playoffs MVP), and 2015 scoring the Cup winning goal in 2010 versus Philadelphia, and the Cup clinching goal versus Tampa Bay in 2015 just in time for a new contract extension.

1. Brett Hull: As if Canadians are not already salty enough after losing to the men’s and women’s teams in the Olympics, yes number one Brett Hull was born in Canada but has dual citizenship due to his mother being American and chose every chance he got to play for the United States instead of Canada having grown up in Chicago.

Brett “The Golden Brett” Hull played two seasons for the University of Minnesota Duluth where he recorded 60 points (32 goals, 28 assists) in 48 games, and 84 points (52 goals, 32 goals) in 42 games following being drafted 117th overall in 1984 by the Calgary Flames.

Over the course of his 1,269 games played Hull scored 741 goals (1st among US players), 650 assists (8th among US players) for a total of 1,391 points (1st among US players) with a plus-minus of 23, and 458 penalty minutes. To add onto that Hull scored 110 game winning goals (1st among US players), 265 powerplay goals (1st among US players), along with being one of the few NHL players to ever score 50 goals in 50 games.

Brett Hull was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2009, rightfully so following his two Stanley Cup wins in 1999 with Dallas, and 2002 with Detroit, winning the Hart Trophy, and Pearson Trophy in 1991, along with recording four 100-plus point seasons from 1989-1992, and a grand total of nineteen 50-plus point seasons earning himself nine NHL All-Star Game appearances.

Internationally Brett Hull won the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, and silver at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.

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