All-Time Massachusetts born NHL team
Massachusetts sits second all-time in producing NHL players in the USA, with 210 currently trailing Minnesota, which has produced a total of 288.
With a surplus of NHL talent coming out of Massachusetts, we decided to build our all-time roster of players born in the state.
GOALTENDER: Tom Barrasso
Born in Boston, Tom Barrasso was drafted fifth overall by the Buffalo Sabres at the 1983 NHL Entry Draft but gained fame with the Pittsburgh Penguins teams that won multiple Stanley Cups in the 1990s.
Barrasso made a massive entry into the NHL, winning the Calder Trophy and Vezina Trophy in his rookie season with the Sabres, but it was the back-to-back Stanley Cup seasons in 1991 and 1992 where he became known as one of the best clutch goalies of all time.
Among Massachusetts-born goalies, Barrasso leads in games played (777), wins (369), losses (277) and shutouts (38). He also finished with a goals-against-average of 3.24, a save percentage of .892, and 48 assists.
Honourable Mentions: Cory Schneider, Garth Snow, Rick DiPietro, and Jim Carey
DEFENSE: Keith Yandle
Keith Yandle is the leading scorer among Massachusetts-born defensemen with 303 goals and 516 assists for a total of 619 career points.
The 34-year-old has appeared in 1,109 NHL games with the Arizona Coyotes, New York Rangers, Florida Panthers and the Philadelphia Flyers. Yandle currently holds the NHL's longest-running iron man streak at 989 consecutive games. Unfortunately, his streak ended on March 29th, 2022, for controversial reasons (find out more here).
DEFENSE: John Carlson
John Carlson of the Washington Capitals, born in Natick, Massachusetts, was drafted 27th overall at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
The 32-year-old currently sits second in Massachusetts-born defenseman scoring with 132 goals and 461 assists for a total of 593 points in 887 career games.
Carlson won gold with Team USA at the 2010 World Juniors (scored the overtime gold medal-winning goal), a two-time Calder Cup champion with the Hershey Bears (2009, 2010) and a Stanley Cup champion with the Capitals (2018).
Honourable Mentions: Jeff Norton, Tom Poti, and Ryan Whitney
LEFT WING: Keith Tkachuk
Keith Tkachuk is the all-time leader among Massachusetts-born players, with 538 goals scored during his NHL career. Tkachuk is also the only Massachusetts-born player with over 200 power-play goals in his career as well.
Drafted 19th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, the Melrose native has appeared in 1,201 career games and also added 527 assists for a total of 1,065 points.
Honourable Mentions: Kevin Stevens, Ted Donato, Chris Kreider, Jay Pandolfo
RIGHT WING: Bill Guerin
Drafted fifth overall in 1989 by the New Jersey Devils, he is arguably the best Massachusetts-born player who actually suited up for the Boston Bruins; Bill Guerin is one of only four Massachusetts natives to finish with over 800 NHL points.
The Worcester native also finished with the second-most NHL games played among Massachusetts skaters while finishing with 429 goals and 856 points. In his career, he spent time with the New Jersey, Edmonton, Boston Bruins, Dallas, St. Louis, Pittsburgh and the New York Islanders.
Guerin is a two-time Stanley Cup champion (NJD-1995, PIT-2009), a World Cup winner with USA and an Olympic Silver Medallist at the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City.
Honourable Mentions:Tony Amonte, Scott Young, Shawn McEachern, and Doug Brown
CENTRE:Jeremy Roenick
The number one player in Massachusetts history is Jeremy Roenick.
The Thayer Academy star was in the NHL as an 18-year-old after being drafted eighth overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. He leads all Massachusetts players in games played (1363), assists (703), points (1216), plus/minus (plus-153) and game-winning goals (92).
The Boston native also leads all Mass. players with 53 goals and 122 career points in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Roenick recorded 50 goals twice and 100 points three times during his time with the Blackhawks. He also spent time with the Phoenix Coyotes, Philadelphia Flyers and the San Jose Sharks before eventually retiring after the 2008-09 season as a 39-year-old.
Honourable Mentions:Bob Carpenter, Darren Turcotte, Jack Eichel, and Brian Boyle
