Tag Archives: best American-born hockey player

H2H 94: Jeremy Roenick vs. Keith Tkachuk – Who was Better?

One of hockey’s magical milestones is the 500-goal club and as of the end of the 2019-2020 season, there were a total of five American players in that elite company: Brett Hull (dual Canadian/American citizenship), Joe Mullen, Mike Modano, Jeremy Roenick, and Keith Tkachuk.  While the first three members of this fraternity are Hall of Famers, Roenick and Tkachuk remain on the outside looking in despite 500+ career goals and 1,000+ career points apiece in the NHL.  During their long and productive NHL careers, both were not only among the best offensive players of the 1990s, but were also known for their tough, hard-nosed (dirty?) play; as teammates on the Phoenix Coyotes as well as on Team USA, in comparing these all-time American greats, let us ask the question:

Who was better – Jeremy Roenick or Keith Tkachuk?

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H2H 89: Pat LaFontaine vs. Mike Modano – Who was Better?

While the United States has always been a bit of a little brother to Canada when it comes to hockey talent, the Stars and Stripes have nevertheless produced a number of outstanding NHL players over the years.  Though Patrick Kane has likely assumed the unofficial mantle of best American-born player ever, two of the long-time contenders for the distinction were Pat LaFontaine and Mike Modano, both of whom came of age during one of Team USA’s golden eras in the 1980s alongside the likes of Brett Hull (born in Canada with dual citizenship), Brian Leetch, Jeremy Roenick, Keith Tkachuk, etc.  Between these two Hall of Famers, one holds the American record for highest per-game scoring average and the other is the all-time career leader in goals and points, thus raising the question:

Who was better – Pat LaFontaine or Mike Modano?

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