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: Chris Ryan/Corbis via Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Chris Ryan/Corbis via Getty Images /

Oregon – Jere Gillis

Oregon is certainly not a state known for hockey, but five people born in Oregon have played in the NHL. The only one of the five to have a substantial NHL career is Jere Gillis. He was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1977 draft following an extremely successful QMJHL career.

With the Sherbrooke Castors, Gillis put up over a point per game in three of his four seasons, including two 100 point seasons. He joined the Canucks to start the 1977-78 season. While Gillis put up an impressive rookie campaign with 41 points, that’s a point total he never reached again in the NHL. His last game at the highest level came with the Philadelphia Flyers in 1986.

Gillis wasn’t quite done with hockey though. He went overseas and played in Italy for a season. With Bruneck, he had 20 goals and 36 points in 24 games. After that, he joined the BHL, where he put up very impressive point totals. In one season, Gillis scored 46 goals with 93 points in just 18 games.

He also served as a head coach for two seasons. Gillis had a very interesting career that spanned over three decades. Hopefully his success inspires some kids in Oregon to take up hockey and help grow the game.

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