Best hockey player from each state

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: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Kansas – Jared Brown

Kansas is one of the few states that has never produced an NHL player. This is somewhat understandable, as hockey has been quite slow to catch on in the midwest in some areas. However, just because they have no NHLers doesn’t mean they have no players. Jared Brown has made a name for himself overseas.

Brown was born and raised in Gardner, Kansas. However, he played hockey as a teenager in Texas, New Mexico, and Nebraska. For college, Brown went to Northern Michigan, where he’s a bit of a legend. In four years, the forward had 32 goals and 83 points before joining the Quad City Mallards of the CHL.

With very few opportunities to play in America, Brown went overseas to play in Poland. After putting up 19 points in 13 games with GKS Katowice. This earned him another chance in the CHL and ECHL. After the 2014-15 season, Brown went back overseas to play in France. With Dijon, he put up 12 points in 11 games during the regular season and 12 points in six games during the playoffs.

Following his performance with Dijon, Brown currently finds himself back in Poland, where he plays for Orlik Opole. As of Nov. 24, Jared Brown has 23 points in 19 games. Who knows? Maybe the first NHL player from Kansas is growing up, inspired by him.

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