When we mention the best European players in history who played in the NHL, we can't forget that they all have played great World Cups. The NHL has always been considered the ultimate destination for professional hockey players, but European hockey players have their own unique style, finesse, and strategic depth.
Here we pay tribute to the giants of European hockey, the ones who made an impact on the game from the rinkside to the further sidelines, from Jaromír Jágr to Nicklas Lidström to Teemu Selänne. These players have remade the game — in North America and in international competitions, including the Winter Olympics.
In the past, the NHL was dominated by Canadian and United States players. In the last four decades, though, the influx of European hockey players into the league has introduced an alternative style of play that values skill, speed, and creativity. These players did not just survive the physical toll of the NHL. They flourished and enjoyed phenomenal success.
With each passing year, they have changed the game in Europe, testing whether this is the future of hockey and finding all sorts of creative ways to beat the traditional North American way of playing hockey.
Czechoslovakia-born Jaromír Jágr has long been synonymous with greatness, both in the NHL and in international hockey. Joining the N.H.L. in 1990, Jágr began a career that would extend more than 30 years. His size, skill, and hockey IQ made him a force on the ice.
In the N.H.L., Jágr won many honors, including five Art Ross Trophies as the league’s leading scorer and two Stanley Cup titles with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Jágr played for eight different NHL teams and scored more than 1,900 points, trailing only Wayne Gretzky on the all-time list.
Besides his record-setting accomplishments, what distinguishes Jágr — at least compared to other European hockey stars — is the longevity of his presence on the international stage. On the international stage, Jágr has represented the Czech Republic, where he was a key part of their 1998 Olympic gold medal win — this steered the way for one of the most significant periods in Czech hockey history.
He also co-piloted several World Championship titles for his nation, demonstrating both his commitment to his country and the game itself. Jágr’s impact can still be seen today, playing in European leagues and inspiring young hockey players worldwide.
Teemu Selänne, lovingly nicknamed “The Finnish Flash,” is widely considered one of the most prolific scorers in hockey history. Selänne, who was born in Helsinki, Finland, scored it out of the gate when he made his debut in the N.H.L. in the 1992-93 season with the Winnipeg Jets.
Selänne went on to score an incredible 76 goals in his rookie season, a record that still holds. His blistering pace, sadistic finishing, and penchant for being where a goal-scoring opportunity is just asking to be landed made him a defender's nightmare.
Selänne’s N.H.L. career was defined by goals, leadership, and longevity. In 21 seasons, he scored more than 1,400 points, received numerous All-Star selections, and won the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007. Selänne’s successes go far beyond anywhere he played in the NHL.
For all international hockey, Selänne’s impact on Finland’s national team is legendary. He competed in six Winter Olympic Games and won three medals: a bronze in 1998, a silver in 2006, and another bronze in 2014. He has been nothing short of tremendous as an Olympic hockey player. He captained Finland to the podium in the 2014 Winter Olympics at a furious 43-year-old, becoming the oldest player ever to win an Olympic hockey medal.
Nicklas Lidström is a name that accompanies excellence in defensive play. Lidström was born in Västerås, Sweden, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensemen in the history of the game. Lidström, who was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1989, was later the cornerstone of a franchise that became one of the most successful in NHL history.
Lidström’s NHL career is one of consistency, leadership, and an unmatched hockey IQ. Renowned for his immaculate positioning, precise passing, and ability to neutralize opposing forwards, Lidström redefined the role of the defenseman. He won four Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings and the Norris Trophy, awarded to the N.H.L.’s best defenseman, seven times—a record exceeded only by Bobby Orr.
Lidström had an equally significant impact on the international stage. He led Sweden to gold in the 2006 Winter Olympics, netting the winning goal in the final against Finland. His clutch performances earned him a place as one of the greatest European hockey players in both the NHL and Olympic hockey.
But if Jágr, Selänne, and Lidström are rightly praised for their parts in the story, Russian players also have to be included in the discussion of how that story continued to develop. Russian players have a long history of being some of the fastest, most technically skilled, and most creative players in European hockey.
Sergei Fedorov is among the most impactful Russian players to ever lace up skates in the NHL. Fedorov, who spent most of his career with the Detroit Red Wings, was the first Russian-born player to win the Hart Trophy as the N.H.L.’s most valuable player. Fedorov played forward and defense, and his mix of speed, strength, and finesse made him a critical player in the Red Wings’ success in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Another Russian star, Pavel Datsyuk, was an exceptional puck-handler and two-way player. Nicknamed “The Magic Man,” Datsyuk mesmerized fans and defenders by stealing pucks, rifling highlight-reel passes, and scoring unbelievable goals. His dual commitment to offense and defense was rewarded with three Selke Trophies, given to the N.H.L.’s best defensive forward.
Fedorov and Datsyuk also enjoyed successful careers playing for Russia at the international level, helping to cement their legacy as two of the top European skaters of all time.
In fact, Olympic hockey has historically been a stage for showcasing the world's elite talent, and as a significant majority of the best players in the sport hail from Europe, their pedigree very rarely comes under the microscope when the Olympic Games comes around.
Still, there is some history here, with countries like Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, and Russia having put forth some of the most beautiful performances ever seen at an Olympic Games. Beyond Jágr, Selänne, and Lidström, European players have figured prominently with their national teams. Nothing, of course, compares to the Olympic moments, big and small.
The tournament itself was transformed by the inclusion of NHL players, however, this was the first year the NHL allowed its players to compete in a Winter Olympics. The decision elevated the level of competition and gave Euro hockey players an opportunity to take a shot in a league with the top guys in North America. They weren’t alone, with surprises like Jágr, Selänne, and Lidström giving their countries dream runs towards hardware.
It is no surprise that many European players have made their mark in both the NHL and on the international circuit. Their unique styles of play, which emphasize finesse, speed, and strategy, have changed how the game is viewed. Legends like Jágr, Selänne, Lidström, Fedorov and Datsyuk had enjoyed personal success in the N.H.L. and forged a blueprint for young European players making the leap to North America.
That trend extends to the present day, with European hockey players playing a large role in the NHL’s future. With Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, and Russia among those currently muddying the waters of the upper echelon of talent in international hockey, the trend isn’t exactly set to turn back the clock anytime soon.
Both seem poised to help open the floodgates regarding what appears to be the growing European wave in the league. Their impact, not only in the NHL but also in Olympic hockey, will be one of the most impactful eras of the game.
This content was created by AI