NHL: The Current Best 11 American-Born Players

The infusion of European talent into the NHL often overshadows the fact that there is an abundance of great players born and bred in the United States.

The 2010 American Olympic Team helped to restore the notion that the best players in the world do not have to all come from Canada or overseas.

The reality is that the U.S. has a bright future, filled with stars that will shine among the best that this generation of hockey has to offer.

From guys that hold franchise records to goaltenders that carried their countrymen to silver medals, Americans are showcasing their talents to the world.

So, who are the best right now?

Let's take a look at the best American-born players currently in the NHL.

Keep in mind that this is not a list of the All-Time best U.S. born players, but rather the players born in America who are playing the best hockey right now.

Now, with all the technical tomfoolery out of the way, let's start with No. 11.....

11. Jonathan Quick

Birthplace: Milford, Connecticut

In just his fifth NHL season, Jonathan Quick has already made his mark as one of the better goaltenders in the league.

Playing and starting for the Los Angeles Kings, Quick has 122 wins in his young career, and his GAA (goals-against-average) stands at a paltry 2.32.

Quick has yet to win 40 games in a season, but he has recorded at least four shutouts in each of the last four years.

At 26 years old, he is one of the rising stars in the ranks of American goaltenders.

10. Dustin Byfuglien

Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota

The first of two Dustins on this list is Dustin Byfuglien of the Winnipeg Jets.

Best known for spending the early part of his career with the Chicago Blackhawks and winning a Stanley Cup, Byfuglien has made a smooth transition to the smaller markets of Atlanta and then Winnipeg.

In fact, 2010-11 was his best statistical season, as he scored 20 goals and had 33 assists for what the then-Atlanta Thrashers organization.

A versatile weapon, Byfuglien is not afraid to play as either a winger or defenseman, and his 6'4", 257-pound frame ensures that he is not going to be pushed around no matter what part of the ice he is roaming.

9. Joe Pavelski

Birthplace: Plover, Wisconsin

Joe Pavelski is a workhorse for the San Jose Sharks that is too often forgotten because of the star power that teammates Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau bring to the table.

A sixth-year player out of the University of Wisconsin, Pavelski has scored at least 20 goals in each of the last four years, and his point total has never dropped below 50 in that time frame.

He did not make many headlines during his time with the 2010 U.S. Olympic team, but was noteworthy for his proficiency in the faceoff circle.

Pavelski was second in faceoff percentage among all players in the tournament.

At only 27 years old, this 5'11" 195 pound center has plenty of tread left on his tires and should soon become a star in his own right.

8. Dustin Brown

Birthplace: Ithaca, New York

A teammate of Quick, Dustin Brown has had just as meteoric a rise as his goalie counterpart.

Now in his eighth season with LA, Brown has already posted 160 goals and 184 assists in his career.

He is a consistent force in the Kings lineup, rarely, if ever, missing games and he tosses his 6'0" 207 pound body around as much as possible.

The Kings' captain has registered 815 hits over the past three seasons and tossed in 80 blocked shots.

His status as an alternate captain on the 2010 U.S. Olympic team helps to further the case for his inclusion on this list.

7. Ryan Kesler

Birthplace: Livonia, Michigan

In the past three seasons, Ryan Kesler has stepped out from behind the proverbial shadow cast by the Sedin brothers to solidify himself as one of the best young talents the NHL has to offer.

Now in his eighth season, Kesler has 150 career goals and 184 assists.

His production saw its most significant increase in the 2009-10 campaign when he registered 75 points, and he followed that up with a 73 point effort in 2010-11.

The 26-year-old center for the Vancouver Canucks was a contributing member of the 2010 Olympic team, and should be a mainstay on the roster for years to come.

6. Phil Kessel

Birthplace: Madison, Wisconsin

Phil Kessel is an uber-talented player, and yet the first thing that comes to mind when his name is mentioned is Alex Ovechkin laughing at him for being the last pick in the All-Star Game Fantasy Draft in 2011.

But Kessel is more than just a chubby kid who is happy to make All-Star teams.

He is the best player on one of the most storied franchises in hockey history, and is putting up some of the best statistics in the league year in and year out.

Kessel has scored at least 60 points in each of the last four seasons and, even though he has only played 65 games so far in the 2011-12 campaign, has already put up a career-best 68 points.

At 24 years old, he should be a staple of the USA Olympic roster for years to come.

Who's laughing now, Alex?

5. Bobby Ryan

Birthplace: Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Bobby Ryan is more than just a breakaway wizard for the Anaheim (should be Mighty) Ducks, he is also one of the most complete and well-rounded players in the NHL.

Now in his fifth NHL season, the 24-year old left winger has already tallied 245 points in his young career.

He has at least 25 goals in each of the past four seasons, and almost never spends any time in the penalty box.

Ryan was a member of the 2010 Olympic Team and actually scored Team USA's first goal of the tournament.

A Calder Memorial Trophy finalist in 2009, this 6'2", 209-pounder should have a long and successful career in front of him.

4. Zach Parise

Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Zach Parise seems to be one of the unsung heroes of the NHL.

He consistently posts superstar-type statistics, and yet does not get nearly the recognition he deserves.

Parise has certainly already made his mark representing his country.

He helped the Americans win a gold medal at the 2004 World Junior Championships, where he was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

Then he was an alternate captain for the USA team at the 2010 Winter Olympics, and even scored the tying goal in the gold medal game against Canada that sent it to overtime (although I am sure he would rather forget the outcome of that particular contest).

At any rate, Parise is a 5'11", 190-pound star that averages around 70 points a season and leaves everything on the ice.

3. Tim Thomas

Birthplace: Flint, Michigan

Rarely does a player realize his full potential in the NHL after already turning 30, but such is the case with goaltender Tim Thomas.

The Boston Bruins' netminder has been with the club for eight seasons, winning the Vezina Trophy in two of the past three years.

Thomas has a staggering .922 career save percentage and has at least 27 wins in five of the past six years.

He was a member of the 2010 US Olympic Squad in Vancouver, but was never given a chance to shine, as a certain player to be named later on this list stole the show between the pipes.

However, the fact remains that Thomas is one of the top American goalies of all time, and may be the best in the NHL today.

2. Ryan Miller

Birthplace: East Lansing, Michigan

Whether or not Ryan Miller is a better overall goaltender than Tim Thomas is certainly up for debate and discussion, but it would be hard to argue that his performance in the 2010 Olympics does not warrant his placement near the top of his list.

Miller almost single-handedly carried the Americans to the silver medal, and was named MVP of the tournament with a save percentage of .946 and an American Olympic record GAA of 1.35.

His NHL stats are impressive as well. Miller has a career save percentage of .915, and he has 243 wins in his nine-year career.

The fact that he is six years younger than Thomas and has more hockey in front of him only adds to the argument that, right now, he is the best American-born goaltender in the NHL.

1. Patrick Kane

Birthplace: Buffalo, New York

Patrick Kane has one of the brightest futures of any player in the NHL. 

It just so happens he is also American.

While not really a prominent part of America's 2010 Silver Medal run, Kane was a member of that team, and his NHL career has been a statistical flurry.

He is in only his fifth NHL season, but already Kane has totalled 119 goals and 237 assists.

He has never registered less than 70 points in a full season, and even won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best rookie in the 2008 campaign.

This 5'11", 181-pound 23-year-old has all the potential in the world and plenty of time to live up to it.