Best Hockey Players of 2011

Here is the List of Top Ten Hockey Player of 2011 With Pictures And Details.

The NHL draws many highly skilled players from all over the world and currently has players from about 20 different countries. Although Canadians have historically constituted the majority of the players in the NHL, over the past four plus decades the percentages of American and European trained players have increased both because of the NHL’s continued expansion from six to thirty clubs since 1967, and the increased availability of highly skilled European players, especially from former Eastern Bloc countries.

No.1 Alexander Ovechkin  

Country: Russia 

NHL Team: Washington Capitals 

Captain and Left winger of Washington Capitals, Ovechkin was selected in the 2004 entry  draft of the National Hockey League. He joined the Dynamo Mosco from 2004 -2006. He transferred to NHL in 2006, winning Rookie of the Year, scoring 52 goals, leading with 106 points. Winning a list of trophies each season, Ovechkin deserves the Number # 1 spot.

 No.2 Sidney Crosby  

Country : Canada 

NHL Team: Pittsburgh Penguins 

This Canadian Centre and Captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, is nicknamed ‘The Next One’.  Sidney Crosby started his NHL Career in 2005. In his second season when he won the Art Ross Trophy, he was the youngest to win a scoring title in any North American League. In 2009 he became the youngest captain to win the Stanley Cup. He has won awards like the Rocket Richard Trophy and the Mark Messier Leadership award. Crosby has represented Canada in World Junior Championships, IIHF World Championship and Winter Olympics. 

No.3 Steven Stamkos  

Country: Canada 

NHL Team: Tampa Bay Lightning 

Stamkos had a breakout season in 2009–10, being near the NHL lead in goal scoring for most of the season. Stamkos ended the season with 51 goals, tied for most in the NHL with Sidney Crosby. Stamkos is the third youngest player to achieve this accomplishment. He is currently leading NHL in points and goals scored. 

No.4 Evgeni Malkin  

Country: Russia 

NHL Team: Pittsburgh Penguins 

Chosen by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2004 draft, Malkin is the Centre and Captain of the team. Winner of the Calder Memorial Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy and many others, he has represented Russia in 2 IIHF World Under 18 and under 20 Championships. Malkin is also responsible for winning several medals for his team. 

No.5 Pavel Datsyuk  

Country :  Russia 

NHL Team: Detroit Red Wings 

Known for his excellent control over the stick and being one of the best two way forwards, Datsyuk is the alternate captain of the Detroit Red wings. Winner of Frank J. Selke Trophy and Hart Memorial Trophy, Stanley Cup and has been nominated several times as the league’s most valuable player. 

no.6 Phil Kessel  

Country: USA 

NHL Team: Toronto Maple Leafs 

This top prospect was drafted 5th overall by the Boston Bruins at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He is the first NHL rookie to be honored with the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy. On September 18, 2009, the Boston Bruins traded him to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he quickly signed a five-year, $27 million contract. Phil Kessel is well known in Toronto Maple Leafs for his goal scoring skills. His fast release is considered by many as the best in NHL.

No.7 Zach Parise  

Country: USA 

NHL Team: New Jersey Devils 

Captain and left winger of the New Jersey Devils, American Parise was selected by the Devils in the 2003 NHL Draft. He won the Hobey Baker Award, playing for the University of North Dakota. He is among the top goal scorers. Representing his country in international competitions, he was the Most valuable player and best forward. He has also played on the Tournament All Star Team helping his team to win several medals. Parise, also an Olympian, comes from a family of hockey players. 

No.8 Corey Perry  

Country: Canada 

NHL Team: Anaheim Ducks 

This Canadian hockey player was a member of the Ontario Hockey League before he was selected to the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was part of the team that won the Gold medal for Canada in the Vancouver Olympics. His 2009-2010 season has been an exceptionally good one.

No.9 Patrick Sharp 

Country: Canada 

NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks 

Patrick Sharp began his NHL hockey career with the Flyers recording only 7 points in 41 games. Midway through the 2005-06 season, Sharp was traded by the Flyers to the Chicago Blackhawks. At the start of the 2008-09 season,  Sharp was named an alternate captain for the Blackhawks. Despite being limited by injuries, Sharp helped the Blackhawks form a highly offensive young team that led to 2009-2010 Stanley Cup. Today he is in the top 5  for points  and a very underrated player. 

No.10 Ryan Getzlaf  

Country: Canada 

NHL Team: Anaheim Ducks 

Alternate captain of the Anaheim Ducks, Getzlaf was selected in the 2003 NHL draft. Skating since age 4, he is also a volleyball, baseball and football player. He made his international Debut in 2002 and was a member of the 2003 World Championships. Getzlaf was part of the Olympic Canadian Team in 2010, that won a gold medal.