27 greatest American NHL players of all-time

19. <p>Rod Langway was born in Taiwan due to his father’s military career, but he grew up in Massachusetts before starring at the University of New Hampshire. He began his professional career with the Birmingham Bulls of the WHA before breaking into the NHL with the Montreal Canadiens at 21 in 1978-1979 and won a Stanley Cup. He spent four seasons with the Habs, finishing fifth and ninth in the Norris his last two years there before he was traded to the Washington Capitals.</p> <p>The trade was an instant success because Langway won the Norris Trophy his first two years in the nation’s capital and finished fourth and second in the Hart too. But his play was also a boost off the ice where he prevented the franchise from relocating and after eight years in existence without a playoff appearance, Langway led the Caps to the postseason all 11 years he was with the team.</p> <p>He was not an offensive-oriented defenseman, which is fitting considering the captain of the Caps was nicknamed the “Secretary of Defense” and he only scored 51 career goals. But he’s not on the list for scoring, he’s on this list for being one of the best defensive, defenseman and captains in NHL history.</p> <p>For his career, the Hall of Famer is third all-time among American defenseman with a plus-277.</p>. Defenseman. Washington Capitals. Rod Langway. 9. player