Five NHL Players That Fly Solo for Their Country

Canada, America, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic all have a steady supply of NHL talents. Countries like Poland, Austria, and Kazakhstan are still working their way up in the hockey world.

These countries, along with others, have just one player in the National Hockey League. Each one of these players is doing their part in putting hockey on their respective country's map.

1. Anze Kopitar, Slovenia—A few teams didn't want to draft this guy because he was Slovenian. Can you believe that?

They must be regretting it now as Kopitar put up 61 points (20 G, 41 A) in his rookie season and followed it up with 77 points (32 G, 45 A) this year.

After being chosen for the NHL Young-Stars Game in 2006-07 and this year's All-Star Game, Slovenia should get more respect in future drafts.

2. Cristobal Huet, France—Like Kopitar, Huet started his career in Los Angeles but didn't develop as quick. A move to Montreal saw him develop into the great goaltender he is today. With a 21-12-6 record with the Canadiens this year, God only knows why they traded him to Washington at the deadline.

In just 13 games with the Capitals, he posted an 11-2 record, which brought them to the playoffs. Arguably one of the best goalies in the NHL today, the Chicago Blackhawks should benefit from his services.

3. Thomas Vanek, Austria—Thomas Pock is also Austrian and plays for the New York Rangers. However, with only one game played on his resume this year, I think it's safe to say Vanek's on his own.

In 2006-07 he showed the world what he is capable of by putting up 43 goals and 41 assists along with a league-best plus-47 rating.

This year, Vanek struggled for half of the season and still put up 36 goals along with 28 helpers. If he can strike 36 times in a bad season, imagine what he can do in a great season.

4. Wojtek Wolski, Poland—In the 1999-00 season, Mariusz Czerkawski became the first Polish player to be selected for the NHL All-Star Game. Still considered by many the greatest Pole to play the game, Wolski is giving him a run for his money.

The native of Zabrze put up 50 points (22 G, 28 A) in 2006-07, his first full-season with the Colorado Avalanche. That year, he was also selected to take part in the NHL Young-Stars game.

Did I mention that he also scored a goal along with two assists in his first ever playoff game in 2006?

5. Nik Antropov, Kazakhstan—Antropov finally had the season many expected him to have early in his career with 56 points (26 G, 30 A). He represented Kazakhstan in the 1999 World Junior Championships, earning eight points in six games and in the 2006 Winter Olympics he scored one goal.

Unsurprisingly, he was captain of the team on both occasions. If he can build off his career-year, Borat may not be the only thing Kazakhstan is known for.