Fansided

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: Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images /

Ohio – Bryan Smolinski

The state of Ohio isn’t often thought of as a hockey state, but it has produced 25 NHL players. Its best player of all-time is long-time forward Bryan Smolinski. He is second among all Ohio players with 1,056 games played. Only defenseman Dave Ellett has more. Moreover, Smolinski leads the state in goals (274) and points (651), as well as power play goals (69). He also has the highest plus-minus rating at +46. Smolinski is more known for his defense than his offense, as he received Selke Trophy votes in two of his seasons.

Born in Toledo, he was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the first round of the 1990 NHL Draft. Smolinski spent four seasons with the Michigan State Spartans for his college career. He played for eight teams during his career. After three years with the Bruins, Smolinski got traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He spent a year with them before being traded to the New York Islanders in November of 1996. Smolinski spent three years with the Islanders. The Los Angeles Kings are the only team he spent more time with. In 295 games with the Kings, he had 191 points, the most he had with any team. Smolinski retired after the 2007-08 season, his only year with the Montreal Canadiens.

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