In his Hall of Fame career Brett Hull played with and against great players from North America and from across the Atlantic. Here are his best of the best from overseas….
13. Mats Sundin – Sweden
When drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in 1989, he became the first European-born player selected first overall in NHL history
12. Sergei Zubov – Russia (Soviet Union)
One of two Russian/Soviet-born defensemen (Alexei Zhitnik) to play in at least 1,000 NHL games
11. Igor Larionov – Russia (Soviet Union)
Led the revolt with Viacheslav Fetisov against Soviet authorities that prevented Soviet players from defecting to the NHL
10. Borje Salming – Sweden
One of the very first European players to make an impact in the NHL, paving the way for future generations of players
9. Sergei Federov – Russia (Soviet Union)
His 473rd NHL goal passed Alexander Molgilny to set a record for most goals by a Russian-born NHL player
8. Viacheslav Fetisov – Russia (Soviet Union)
At the age of 31, he led the first group of eight Soviet players into the NHL
7. Pavel Bure – Russia (Soviet Union)
Played three seasons with the Central Red Army team before starting his NHL career
6. Peter Forsberg – Sweden
Tenth all-time in career points-per-gameand fourth all-time in career assists-per-game
5. Jari Kurri – Finland
Five-time Stanley Cup champion and currently the general manager of Team Finland
4. Dominik Hasek – Czechoslovakia (Czech)
Began his North American with the Indianapolis Ice of the IHL after the end of communist rule in 1989
3. Jaromir Jagr – Czechoslovakia (Czech)
First Czech player to be drafted by the NHL without first having to defect to the West
2. Peter Statsny – Czechoslovakia (Slovak)
One of the first major stars of Eastern bloc hockey to join the NHL
1. Niklas Lidstrom – Sweden
First European to be captain of a Stanley Cup Championship team and winner of the Norris and Conn Smythe Trophies
