27 greatest American NHL players of all-time

<p>Mike Modano became the second American to be the first overall pick in the NHL Draft when the Minnesota North Stars selected the Michigan native in the 1988 draft. Modano made a splash right away, finishing second in the Calder Trophy, with 29 goals and 46 assists for a 75-point rookie season.</p> <p>Modano would play three more years in Minnesota before the franchise relocated to Dallas and became the Stars where he spent the next 16 seasons making Dallas a growing hockey community because they had one of the game’s best ambassadors and personalities in town. Modano had his best season in the first year in Dallas when he scored a career-high 50 goals and matched his career-high, set the previous year, with 93 points.</p> <p>His best season as a pro came in 1998-1999 when he helped lead the Stars to the Stanley Cup with five goals, a postseason high 18 assists and 23 points in 23 playoff games.</p> <p>In total, Modano had nine seasons with at least 30 goals and 12 seasons with at least 70 points. The seven-time All-Star was annually among the top vote-getters in the Lady Byng and the Selke. The Hall of Famer’s 561 career goals and 1,374 points are the most among American-born players.</p>. Center. Dallas Stars. Mike Modano. 4. player. 119