When you think about NHL players, you usually imagine them coming from countries like Canada, the USA, Russia, Sweden, or Finland. These nations have long been the main sources of hockey talent. But once in a while, we see players born in unexpected places – countries not traditionally known for ice hockey.
With the 2025 IIHF World Championship coming up, let’s take a look at 20 NHL players who were born in countries you might not usually connect with the sport. Some even proudly represented these countries internationally!
NHL Players From Unusual Birthplaces
Robyn Regehr – Recife, Brazil
Calgary Flames defenseman Robyn Regehr, who played 1,089 NHL games, was born in Recife, Brazil. His parents were Mennonite missionaries, and interestingly, his brother Richie Regehr, who also played in the NHL, was born in Indonesia.
Jordan Spence – New South Wales, Australia
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jordan Spence was born to a Canadian father and a Japanese mother in Australia. He lived in Japan before moving to Canada at the age of 13.
Nathan Walker – Cardiff, Wales
St. Louis Blues winger Nathan Walker was born in Wales but grew up in Australia. He made history as the first Australian to play in the NHL, debuting with Washington in 2017-18.
Yutaka Fukufuji – Kushiro, Japan
Goaltender Yutaka Fukufuji played four games for the Los Angeles Kings in 2006-07, becoming the first Japanese player to appear in an NHL game.
Ryan O’Marra – Tokyo, Japan
Born to Irish-Canadian parents in Tokyo, Ryan O’Marra played 33 NHL games for the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks between 2009 and 2012.
Borna Rendulic – Zagreb, Croatia
Borna Rendulic, the first Croatian-born and trained NHL player, played with the Colorado Avalanche and Vancouver Canucks between 2014 and 2017.
Luca Sbisa – Ozieri, Italy
Defenseman Luca Sbisa, born in Ozieri, Sardinia, played 549 NHL games. Though born in Italy, he represented Switzerland internationally.
Graeme Townshend – Kingston, Jamaica
Graeme Townshend moved from Jamaica to Toronto at a young age. He played for the Bruins, Islanders, and Senators in the 1990s, becoming the first Jamaican-born NHL player.
Andre Deveaux – Freeport, Bahamas
Andre Deveaux played 31 NHL games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers. Born in the Bahamas, he also had a long career across multiple leagues worldwide.
Sean Day – Leuven, Belgium
Defenseman Sean Day, who once skated for the Tampa Bay Lightning, was born in Belgium and first learned to skate at a mall in Singapore!
Leo Komarov – Narva, Estonia
Leo Komarov was born in Estonia but represented Finland. He had a strong NHL career, mainly with the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Islanders.
Willi Plett – Asuncion, Paraguay
A big and tough winger, Willi Plett was born in Paraguay and later moved to Canada. He played 834 NHL games and won the 1977 Calder Trophy.
Mike Greenlay – Vitoria, Brazil
Mike Greenlay, born in Brazil, played two NHL games as a goaltender with the Edmonton Oilers during the 1989-90 season.
Levente Szuper – Budapest, Hungary
Though he never played in an NHL game, Levente Szuper dressed as a backup goalie for nine games with Calgary in 2002-03. He remains the only Hungarian to suit up for an NHL team.
Alexandar Georgiev – Ruse, Bulgaria
San Jose Sharks goalie Alexandar Georgiev was born in Bulgaria but grew up in Russia. He has built a strong NHL career with the Rangers and Avalanche.
Jim Paek and Richard Park – Seoul, South Korea
Both Jim Paek and Richard Park were born in Seoul, South Korea. Paek won two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh, and Park played 738 NHL games across several teams.
Darius Kasparaitis and Dainius Zubrus – Elektrenai, Lithuania
Both Kasparaitis and Zubrus hail from the small Lithuanian city of Elektrenai. Kasparaitis was known for his tough play, while Zubrus played an incredible 1,293 NHL games.
Claude Vilgrain – Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Claude Vilgrain became the first Haitian-born NHL player when he suited up for the Vancouver Canucks in the late 1980s.
Arthur Kaliyev – Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Arthur Kaliyev made history as the first NHL player born in Uzbekistan. Now representing the USA, Kaliyev has shown strong promise with the Rangers.
Akim Aliu – Okene, Nigeria
Akim Aliu, born in Nigeria and raised partly in Ukraine and Canada, played briefly in the NHL and has been an important voice for diversity in hockey.
Owen Nolan – Belfast, Northern Ireland
Owen Nolan, a No. 1 overall draft pick in 1990, was born in Belfast and went on to score 422 NHL goals. He proudly represented Canada internationally.
Hockey may be a sport dominated by a few countries, but the NHL’s global reach is growing every year. Players from unexpected places like Brazil, Jamaica, Wales, and even Uzbekistan have shown that no matter where you’re born, hard work, talent, and passion can lead you to the top of the hockey world. As the 2025 IIHF World Championship approaches, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the diversity and unique backgrounds that make the NHL even more exciting!
