Ranking the 10 Best Underdog Stories in NHL History

If you don't have a particular rooting interest, it is always nice to support the underdog that seemingly doesn't have a chance. Martin St. Louis is an underdog who made it to the NHL through hard work, and there are a number of teams that thrived even though the odds were against them.

At the beginning of the season, experts and prognosticators make predictions, but sometimes teams like the 2005-06 Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers defy the odds. Throughout NHL history there have been many underdog players and teams, and here are 10 of the best stories.

10. Steve Thomas

Steve Thomas was a small skater that was not good enough to be drafted by a professional team. He played junior hockey in Toronto, and the Toronto Maple Leafs eventually gave him a shot.

"Stumpy" quickly transformed into a capable 35-goal scorer, and he eventually was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Thomas had a lengthy NHL career, and he ended up with 421 career goals and 933 points.

9. 2011-12 Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings made history in 2011-12 by becoming the first team in NHL history to win the Stanley Cup as a No. 8 seed.

The Kings were put in a position in which they had to run the gauntlet on the road to even be in a position to contend for the Cup. Los Angeles did exactly that, and they eliminated the No. 1, 2 and 3 seeds in the process.

Once the playoffs were over the Kings had completed an amazing 16-4 run, and they were on top of the world as an ultimate underdog champion.

8. Pavel Datsyuk

Pavel Datsyuk is one of the best players in the NHL today, but he was not given much consideration when he was a younger player. He was passed over for two straight drafts before finally being selected 171st in 1998. 

What makes Datsyuk's story even better is that he had to overcome adversity at such a young age. His mother died when he was only 12, and he lost his father six years later.

The loss of both parents is something that could have sent his life in a downward spiral, but he was able to overcome the loss and focus on his career. Currently Datsyuk is the NHL's top dangler, and he has enjoyed success after traveling a long road full of adversity.

7. Tim Thomas

Tim Thomas has a very interesting story, and he almost didn't become an NHL goalie. The Flint, MI native had a solid collegiate career at the University of Vermont and was even drafted by the Quebec Nordiques. 

Thomas never suited up for Quebec, instead bouncing around the minors and various teams in Europe. At age 28 Thomas made his NHL debut for the Boston Bruins, but he didn't get his big break until he became the starter at age 32. 

Once he was the leader in goal, Thomas set NHL records and won a Vezina Trophy, Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup in the same season. When you consider that Thomas had such a significant absence after being drafted, he is very lucky that he was given a chance at the NHL level.

6. 2005-06 Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers almost made history during the 2005-06 season. They had a decent regular season in which they finished No. 8 in the Western Conference. Ryan Smyth and Chris Pronger led the team up front, and Dwayne Roloson provided strong enough goaltending to reach the Stanley Cup Final.

The Carolina Hurricanes went on to defeat the Oilers in the final, but it was an amazing season in which the Oilers had a great overall run.

5. Ray Whitney

Ray Whitney is currently one of the NHL's top veterans, but he had to overcome many obstacles to get where he is today. "The Wizard" started his NHL career as a stick boy for the Edmonton Oilers because his father was the team's practice goalie.

From an early age Whitney learned that you needed more than just skill to become an NHL player. He had skill and heart but lacked size. The San Jose Sharks picked Whitney in the second round of the 1991 draft after he had an amazing junior career with the Spokane Chiefs, but he was quickly bumped down in the lineup.

Whitney would move onto a number of teams including the Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Carolina Hurricanes and Phoenix Coyotes before signing with the Dallas Stars as a free agent.

At age 42 Whitney is a Stanley Cup champion with many different accolades, and he has one of the better success stories in NHL history.

4. 2002-03 Anaheim Ducks

Heading into the 2002-03 season, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim were not a conventional contender. The Ducks had finished fifth in their division the season prior, and they were a terrible team that needed a new direction.

In 2002, Mike Babcock stepped behind the bench, and everything seemed to click. The Ducks finished seventh in the Western Conference, facing the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings in the playoffs.

The Wings were heavy favorites, but the Ducks went on to win the series and advanced to the Stanley Cup Final. The New Jersey Devils ultimately won the Stanley Cup, but it was a tremendous run for a team full of underdogs.

3. Martin St. Louis

Martin St. Louis was not supposed to become a successful hockey player. He was undersized, undrafted and a player who was passed over multiple times. He finally got his "big" break when the Tampa Bay Lightning signed him as a 26-year-old, and the rest is history.

St. Louis continues to be one of the league's top players, and he is an underdog in every sense of the word.

2. 2005-06 Carolina Hurricanes

The 2005-06 Carolina Hurricanes were considered a long shot to contend in the first season after the lockout, and they ended up proving everyone wrong.

Eric Staal had an amazing season, Martin Gerber played well during the regular season, and Cam Ward made a name for himself during the playoffs.

The Hurricanes had an amazing series, and it was capped off with a Stanley Cup victory over the Edmonton Oilers. The 'Canes' run was totally unexpected, and it was one of the most interesting seasons in league history.

1. 1994-95 New Jersey Devils

The 1993-94 New Jersey Devils made it to Game 7 of Eastern Conference Final, and they should have been a contender for the 1994-95 season. The season was shortened because of a lockout, and the Devils struggled mightily once they hit the ice.

After a rough start, the Devils found their way and finished with a record of 22-18-8. They were an underdog and, if they wanted to reach the Stanley Cup Final, they would need to win three series on the road. The Devils did exactly that and set a record of winning 10 consecutive road games.

Once in the Stanley Cup Final, the Devils were considered the ultimate underdog. Their opponent for the Final was the Detroit Red Wings, a team that went 33-11-4 in the regular season and was sitting on a 12-2 record in the playoffs.

It seemed like the Red Wings were destined to become champions, but the Devils shocked the world. The powerhouse Red Wings led by Steve Yzerman and Sergei Fedorov were dispatched in a four-game sweep, and the Devils completed their Cinderella run to superstardom.