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: Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images/NHLI /

Minnesota – Phil Housley

Minnesota is known as the “State of Hockey”. It lives up to that name, as 248 NHL players as of Nov. 26 have been born in the state. Moreover, Minnesota can also claim the most productive American defenseman ever – Phil Housley. Only two defensemen born in the USA have over 1,000 career points. Brian Leetch is one while Housley is the leader with 1,232 points.

He might sadly be known as the greatest player ever to not win a Stanley Cup. Housley came darn close during the 1997-98 season with the Washington Capitals, but the Caps got swept in the Stanley Cup finals by the Detroit Red Wings. He spent his career split over eight teams, but is best known for his time with the Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, and Winnipeg Jets.

With the Sabres, Housley averaged nearly a point per game with 558 points in 608 games. However, his most prolific seasons came with the Winnipeg Jets, as he had 259 points in 232 games. Known as a power play specialist, 480 of Housley’s career assists came with a man advantage.

Other great hockey players from Minnesota include Matt Cullen, Zach Parise, Jamie Langenbrunner, Dave Christian, and Neal Broten. However, its best player is 2015 Hall of Famer Phil Housley.

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