A New Era of Hockey: The Rise of European Talent in the NHL

From 1942 until 1967 is considered to be the Original Six Era of hockey in the NHL. A new era of hockey began with the expansion in 1967 when the NHL went from six to twelve teams. Shortly after that began the rise of European talent in the NHL.

The first European player to play in the NHL was Ulf Sterner from Sweden. Sterner made his NHL debut on March 4, 1965, playing for the New York Rangers. He played in only four games with the Rangers before returning to play in Sweden. Sterner’s brief stint in the NHL marked a significant milestone as the first European player to compete in the league, paving the way for future European players to follow. In 1969 the first European-trained player, Finland’s Tommi Salmelainen, is drafted by the St. Louis Blues as the 66th overall selection.

The first European players to make an impact in the National Hockey League (NHL) made their debut in the 1970s. Here is a brief history of some notable European players who paved the way for others, along with their respective dates, teams, and significant achievements:

Valeri Kharlamov (Soviet Union) – 1972

Team: CSKA Moscow (Soviet League)
Joined: Vancouver Canucks (NHL exhibition games)
Stats: In eight exhibition games, Kharlamov recorded five goals and seven assists.
Story: Kharlamov’s exceptional performance against NHL teams during the 1972 Summit Series drew attention to his skill and contributed to increased interest in European players.

Borje Salming (Sweden) – 1973

Team: Brynäs IF (Swedish Elite League)
Joined: Toronto Maple Leafs
Stats: Salming played 16 seasons in the NHL, recording 1,148 points in 1,148 games.
Story: Salming faced initial skepticism but quickly proved himself as one of the league’s top defensemen. His successful career opened doors for other Swedish players including Inge Hammarstrom who also played for the Leafs in the early 70’s.

Willy Lindström (Sweden) – 1974

Team: Djurgårdens IF (Swedish Elite League)
Joined: Winnipeg Jets
Stats: Lindström played 10 seasons in the NHL, recording 313 points in 587 games.
Story: Lindström was one of the first European forwards to establish himself in the NHL. He was known for his speed and offensive prowess.

Ulf Nilsson and Anders Hedberg (Sweden) – 1974

Team: Winnipeg Jets (World Hockey Association)
Joined: New York Rangers (after the WHA merged with the NHL)
Stats: Nilsson recorded 605 points in 553 NHL/WHA games, while Hedberg had 474 points in 465 NHL/WHA games.
Story: Nilsson and Hedberg were a dynamic duo, playing alongside Bobby Hull in Winnipeg. Their success in the WHA convinced the NHL to open its doors to more European players.

Jari Kurri (Finland) – 1980

Team: Jokerit (Finnish Elite League)
Joined: Edmonton Oilers
Stats: Kurri played 17 seasons in the NHL, recording 1,398 points in 1,251 games.
Story: Kurri formed a legendary partnership with Wayne Gretzky in Edmonton, winning multiple Stanley Cups and establishing himself as one of the greatest European players of all time.

Peter Stastny (Czechoslovakia) – 1980

Team: Slovan Bratislava (Czechoslovak Extraliga)
Joined: Quebec Nordiques
Stats: Stastny played 15 seasons in the NHL, recording 1,239 points in 977 games.
Story: Stastny’s arrival in the NHL was significant, as he was one of the first Eastern European players to defect from Czechoslovakia. He had an immediate impact, earning the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie.