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: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

South Carolina – Ryan Hartman

Because South Carolina only has one NHL player, the choice is pretty easy. The best player from the state is Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Hartman. He was drafted by the Blackhawks in the first round of the 2013 draft. A native of Hilton Head Island, he spent his junior career primarily with the US National Development Program.

It wasn’t until his time with the Plymouth Whalers that he officially became a first round talent. In his first season with them, he had 60 points in 56 games. Hartman spent one more season with them after being drafted, notching 53 points in 52 games. After the 2013-14 season, he joined the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate, the Rockford Icehogs.

Like most Chicago players, he spent quite a bit of time in the AHL dominating. After putting up 72 points in his first two full AHL seasons, the Andrew Shaw trade opened up a spot for him in the lineup. He scored his first NHL goal during the 2016-17 season opener against the St. Louis Blues.

In Hartman’s first 18 games during the 2016-17 season, he has seven points. Once again, the Blackhawks are looking very smart for being patient with a player. Hartman has a very promising future and should be a much more cost efficient version of Shaw for the next few years.

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