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Best hockey player from each state

By Dave Stevenson

Jan 26, 2014; New York City, NY, USA; NHL former player Jeremy Roenick skates with youngsters on a miniature rink before the Stadium Series hockey game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2014; New York City, NY, USA; NHL former player Jeremy Roenick skates with youngsters on a miniature rink before the Stadium Series hockey game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Rangers at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mandatory Credit: Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Denis Brodeur/NHLI via Getty Images /

Missouri – Pat Lafontaine

While Missouri has produced just 17 NHL players, they have bragging rights because one of them is Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders legend Pat Lafontaine. His career was quite short, as he played in just 865 games. However, Lafontaine made the most of it with 1,013 career points. By comparison, the next most points scored by a Missouri born player is Paul Ranheim with 360.

Sadly, Lafontaine never won a Stanley Cup. He joined the Islanders just after their dynasty ended and the Edmonton Oilers’ dynasty started. Lafontaine ranks 14th all-time in points per game with 1.171 PPG. Moreover, his 0.541 goals a game rank 17th among all NHL forwards and he is 48th in assists per game.

Lafontaine is known for his goal scoring, as he scored over 40 goals in seven of his 11 full seasons (at least 50 games) and over 30 goals in nine of them. He has been honored by both the Islanders and the Sabres, though only Buffalo has retired his number. Lafontaine has, however, been heavily involved with the Islanders.

He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003 as one of the most prolific scoring forwards in the NHL when he was healthy. Often forgotten about and overlooked, Lafontaine is a player Missouri should be proud of.

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