42.3% of NHL players are Canadian. The NHL counted 306 Canadians among 723 players on 2026 to 27 opening day rosters. The United States is next at 26.6%.
This guide shows what percentage of NHL players are Canadian and how the share moved since 2019. A free map shows where every team’s players were born.
What percentage of NHL players are Canadian this season?
The NHL published its opening day numbers on 29 September 2026. Canada leads every other country, with 306 of 723 players.
This table gives the NHL’s own counts for opening day.
| Group | Players | Share of 723 | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian players | 306 | 42.3% | Nationality |
| American players | 192 | 26.6% | Nationality |
| Born outside North America | 227 | 31.4% | Birthplace |
The rows do not add to 723. Two use nationality and one uses birthplace.
What percentage of NHL players are American?
The United States has 192 American players, 26.6% of opening day rosters. That counts roster spots. The most American nationals to dress in a season opener is 185, set in 2023 to 24.
How many NHL players are born outside North America?
The NHL lists 227 players born outside North America. Sweden leads that group with 75.
This table ranks NHL players by country of birth. It covers 793 players on the 32 roster pages on 11 November 2026.
| Birth country | Players | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 333 | 42.0% |
| United States | 222 | 28.0% |
| Sweden | 75 | 9.5% |
| Russia | 57 | 7.2% |
| Finland | 37 | 4.7% |
| Czechia | 17 | 2.1% |
| Switzerland | 11 | 1.4% |
| Slovakia | 8 | 1.0% |
| Germany | 7 | 0.9% |
| Seven other countries | 26 | 3.3% |
Sixteen birth countries appear, the same count the NHL lists for opening day. The roster pages carry 70 more players than opening day did.
This table counts birthplace, so shares differ from the opening day figures by up to 1.4 points.
Is the Canadian share going up or down?
The share rose two seasons in a row on the NHL’s nationality count: 41.7%, 41.9% and 42.3%. The lowest share in the table below is 40.8%, from 2022 to 23.
This table gives each season’s opening day count and the way the NHL counted.
| Season | Players | Canadian players | Share | NHL count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 to 20 | 690 | 295 | 42.8% | Birthplace |
| 2022 to 23 | 711 | 290 | 40.8% | Birthplace |
| 2023 to 24 | 707 | 293 | 41.4% | Birthplace |
| 2024 to 25 | 712 | 291 | 40.9% | Birthplace |
| 2024 to 25 | 712 | 297 | 41.7% | Nationality |
| 2025 to 26 | 726 | 304 | 41.9% | Nationality |
| 2026 to 27 | 723 | 306 | 42.3% | Nationality |
Nationality or birthplace?
The NHL sheet for 2024 to 25 gives both counts for one season:
- Born in Canada: 291 players, 40.9%
- Canadian nationals: 297 players, 41.7%
- Born in the United States: 204 players, 28.7%
- American nationals: 200 players, 28.1%
A worked check for 2026 to 27
The 2026 to 27 numbers fit together in three steps:
- 723 players minus 227 born outside North America leaves 496 born in North America.
- 306 Canadian nationals plus 192 American nationals gives 498.
- The two totals differ by 2 players.
Map every team’s birthplaces
Pick a team or the whole league to see NHL players by country, province and state. Tap any tile for the count.
Which province and state send the most players?
Ontario sends 149 of the 793 players on the roster pages, 18.8% of the NHL. Sweden has 75, so Ontario alone sends nearly twice as many.
Canadian provinces
This table lists Canadian players by province of birth on 11 November 2026.
| Province | Players | Share of the NHL |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | 149 | 18.8% |
| Quebec | 48 | 6.1% |
| Alberta | 41 | 5.2% |
| British Columbia | 37 | 4.7% |
| Saskatchewan | 20 | 2.5% |
| Manitoba | 17 | 2.1% |
| Nova Scotia | 11 | 1.4% |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 3 | 0.4% |
| Prince Edward Island | 3 | 0.4% |
| New Brunswick | 2 | 0.3% |
| Yukon | 2 | 0.3% |
Nunavut and the Northwest Territories have no players.
Toronto is the top birth city. The NHL lists 24 players born there on opening day. The roster pages show 27.
American states
The roster pages show players from 30 states, while the NHL lists 29 for opening day.
This table lists American players by state of birth, top eight.
| State | Players | Share of the NHL |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 37 | 4.7% |
| Michigan | 31 | 3.9% |
| Massachusetts | 23 | 2.9% |
| New York | 23 | 2.9% |
| California | 12 | 1.5% |
| New Jersey | 10 | 1.3% |
| Illinois | 9 | 1.1% |
| Florida | 8 | 1.0% |
Minnesota matches Finland’s 37 players.
Which NHL team has the most Canadian players?
The team answer to what percentage of NHL players are Canadian runs from 8.3% to 64.3%. Minnesota is lowest. Seattle is highest, with 18 Canadian born players among 28.
This table shows the five most and four least Canadian rosters on 11 November.
| Team | Born in Canada | Roster | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Kraken | 18 | 28 | 64.3% |
| Colorado Avalanche | 14 | 23 | 60.9% |
| Montreal Canadiens | 15 | 25 | 60.0% |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 13 | 23 | 56.5% |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 12 | 22 | 54.5% |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | 8 | 26 | 30.8% |
| Boston Bruins | 7 | 24 | 29.2% |
| Detroit Red Wings | 5 | 23 | 21.7% |
| Minnesota Wild | 2 | 24 | 8.3% |
Canadian teams and American teams
The seven Canadian teams list 83 Canadian born players among 181, a 45.9% share. The 25 American teams list 250 among 612, a 40.8% share.
Seattle, Colorado, Columbus and Vegas all top Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa and Vancouver. Vancouver lists 8 among 25. The how many NHL teams are there guide names the seven Canadian clubs.
Teams with the most Americans and Europeans
Minnesota and Chicago each list 12 players born in the United States among 24, a 50% share. Florida lists 12 of 26 born outside North America, a 46.2% share.
Spin the NHL team wheel to pick a team for the map.
What percentage of NHL goalies are Canadian?
On the roster pages, Canada has 23 of the 74 goalies, a 31.1% share. Among the 719 skaters, 310 are Canadian players by birthplace, a 43.1% share.
Russia has 10 goalies on the roster pages and Finland has 7. The hockey positions guide covers what each position does.
Country questions
What percentage of NHL players are Canadian today?
42.3%. The NHL counted 306 Canadians among 723 players on opening day. The roster pages on 11 November list 333 players born in Canada, 42.0% of 793.
Which country has the most NHL players?
Canada leads NHL players by country, with 306 of 723 on opening day. The United States is second with 192.
Are most NHL players from Canada?
No. Canada has the largest share of any country at 42.3%, but that is below half.
Has the Canadian share gone up?
Yes, over the last two seasons. On the NHL’s nationality count it was 41.7% in 2024 to 25, 41.9% in 2025 to 26 and 42.3% this season.
How many American players are in the NHL?
192 of 723 players on opening day rosters are American nationals. The roster pages list 222 players born in the United States.
What percentage of NHL players are Swedish, Russian or Finnish?
For NHL players by country of birth on 11 November 2026, Sweden has 75 players (9.5%), Russia 57 (7.2%) and Finland 37 (4.7%).
Which team has the most Canadian players?
Seattle has the most, with 18 Canadian born players among 28 on its roster page.
How much do NHL players make?
The NHL minimum salary is $850,000 in 2026 to 27.
Our guide on how much NHL players make has the minimum for each season, the payroll range and a free salary checker.
Take your shot
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Checked against NHL.com opening rosters
NHL.com, 2026 to 27 opening rosters by the numbers
Checked November 2026
