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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Oklahoma – Tyler Arnason

Oklahoma has more NHL players than you think. They’ve had five natives play in the world’s best league. In fact, they even have an active player in New Jersey Devils defenseman Jon Merrill, who’s from Oklahoma City. However, their best hockey player ever is retired center Tyler Arnason. He spent time in the NHL, AHL, and even the KHL.

Born in Oklahoma City, he was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the seventh round of the 1998 draft. After three years playing at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, he made his NHL on Feb. 13, 2002. Arnason scored his first goal on Feb. 26th against the Philadelphia Flyers in a loss. With the Blackhawks, Arnason played in 245 games, putting up 57 goals and 82 assists.

In 2006, he got traded to the Ottawa Senators. Arnason had four assists with them in 19 games. He got a taste of the playoffs with the Colorado Avalanche with five points in 10 postseason games during the 2007-08 season. With them, he had 102 points in 223 games. After his stint with the Avalanche, Arnason went overseas. He played in the KHL, among other leagues, before playing one last season in the AHL with the Texas Stars before retiring after seven games.

Over his career, he put up 245 points in 485 NHL games.

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