NHL: Number of Active Players, by country
CountryNumber of active players
CanadaCanada1,078
U.S.United States of America638
SwedenSweden247
RussiaRussia146
FinlandFinland125
CzechiaCzechia99
SlovakiaSlovakia31
SwitzerlandSwitzerland29
GermanyGermany25
DenmarkDenmark17
  • Region: Worldwide
  • Time period:
  • Published: Mar 2024

Data Analysis and Insights

Updated: Mar 27, 2024 | Published by: Statistico | About Us | Data sources

Dominance of North American Players in the NHL

Canada and the U.S. collectively contribute 1716 active players to the NHL, accounting for a significant majority of the total. This figure underscores the dominance of North American countries in supplying talent to the league, with Canadian players alone making up more than half of the total active players across all listed countries.

Sweden Leads European Representation

Sweden, with 247 active players, stands as the top European contributor to the NHL. This showcases Sweden's pivotal role in developing hockey talent that competes at the highest levels internationally, significantly outpacing its European counterparts.

Comparative Analysis of Russia and Finland

Russia and Finland, traditional hockey powerhouses, have 146 and 125 active NHL players respectively. The close numbers reflect the ongoing competitiveness and high level of hockey development in these countries, highlighting their significant contribution despite smaller populations compared to Canada and the U.S.

Emerging Hockey Nations

Germany and Denmark, with 25 and 17 active NHL players respectively, represent emerging hockey nations. These numbers, though modest, indicate a growing interest and development in ice hockey beyond the traditional North American and European powerhouses.

Central European Contribution

Czechia and Slovakia combined contribute 130 active players to the NHL. This illustrates the strong hockey tradition in Central Europe, maintaining a solid presence in the league despite the region's smaller size compared to North America and Scandinavia.

Switzerland's Growing Influence

Switzerland, with 29 active players in the NHL, is showcasing a growing influence in the hockey world. This number, though smaller than other European nations, signals a rising caliber of Swiss hockey talent making an impact on the international stage.

The Influence of Population Size

The data reflects a correlation between a country's population size and its number of NHL players, particularly evident in the substantial numbers from Canada and the U.S. However, countries like Sweden, Finland, and Switzerland demonstrate that high-quality talent development can transcend population size limitations.

Diverse European Representation

European countries collectively account for 694 active NHL players, demonstrating the continent's diverse contribution to the league. This diversity enriches the NHL, bringing a variety of playing styles and skills that enhance the competitiveness and global appeal of the league.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many active players in the NHL do Canada and the U.S. collectively contribute?

Canada and the U.S. collectively contribute 1716 active players to the NHL.

Which country is the top European contributor to the NHL?

Sweden is the top European contributor to the NHL with 247 active players.

What is the number of active NHL players from Russia and Finland?

Russia and Finland have 146 and 125 active NHL players respectively.

How many active NHL players are there from European countries collectively?

European countries collectively account for 694 active NHL players.

Terms and Definitions

NHL, or National Hockey League, is a professional sports league in North America that includes teams from both the United States and Canada. It is considered one of the major premier professional ice hockey leagues in the world.

Active players refer to those individuals currently playing in the league and not those who are retired, injured, or in the reserves. For the NHL, these would be players who are in the regular lineup for games during the current season.

A season in the NHL is a period of one year during which a series of games are played. Typically, a season starts in October and ends in April of the following year, with a post-season (playoffs) occurring from April to June.

A roster is the list of players who are currently signed up and available to play for a particular team. It will change throughout the season with injuries, trades, and other factors.

Playoffs refer to the post-season games that take place after the regular season ends in the NHL. The top teams compete in a knockout tournament for the league championship.

A reserve list in the NHL refers to the list of players who a team has rights to but are not currently in their active roster. These are usually players who are injured or are temporarily playing in some other league.