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: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images /

Texas – Brian Leetch

While Texas has only produced seven NHL players, one of the greatest American hockey players of all-time is from Corpus Christi. Brian Leetch helped put the Lone Star state on the map. He ranks second in career points among American defenseman to only Phil Housley.

Leetch helped lead America to its 1996 World Cup victory as their best defenseman. Moreover, he helped them win a silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Leetch was integral to the Rangers winning the 1993-94 Stanley Cup, winning the Conn Smythe in the process. At a young age, his family moved to Connecticut so he could attend Avon Old Farms high school. After being drafted by the Rangers in 1986, he spent one year with Boston College before joining the NHL.

During his career, Leetch won a Calder Trophy and two Norris Trophies as the NHL’s top defenseman. He placed in the top five of Norris Trophy voting four other times in his career. Leetch spent nearly his entire career with the Rangers. Only a very short stint with the Boston Bruins prevented him from that.

Some of the other players form Texas include current NHL players Seth Jones of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Tyler Myers of the Winnipeg Jets.

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