2019-20 Black Diamond Hockey Checklist

1. Alex DeBrincat:

Alex DeBrincat is a professional hockey player from the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Blackhawks in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, 39th overall, and has become an integral part of their offensive attack since his rookie season. DeBrincat is a dynamic forward who is capable of putting up points in bunches. His best year was 2017-18 where he scored a career-high 76 points in 82 games.

2. Aaron Ekblad:

Aaron Ekblad is an NHL defenseman who currently plays for the Florida Panthers. He was selected first overall by the Panthers in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft and has made his mark on the team ever since, becoming their cornerstone defensive player. Ekblad is known for his strong two-way play and leadership ability, being named an alternate captain during the 2018-19 season.

3. Claude Giroux:

Claude Giroux is a professional hockey player from Ottawa, Ontario who currently plays center for the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL. Giroux has been a member of the Flyers since 2006 and is the team's longest-serving captain, having held that position since 2013. He is one of the league's most consistent point producers, having recorded at least 60 points in each season from 2011 to 2018.

4. Connor McDavid:

Connor McDavid is an NHL player who currently serves as the center for his hometown team, the Edmonton Oilers. He was selected first overall by the Oilers in 2015 and since then has become their franchise player. McDavid won back-to-back Art Ross Trophies (awarded to the league’s leading scorer) in 2017 and 2018, becoming only the third player to do so in consecutive years. He is widely considered one of the best players in the league and has led his team to the playoffs in each of his four seasons.

5. Ryan O’Reilly:

Ryan O’Reilly is an NHL player from Toronto, Ontario who currently plays for the St. Louis Blues. He was originally drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 2009 and spent seven seasons with them before being traded to Buffalo in 2015. O’Reilly then moved on to St. Louis prior to last season and has quickly become a key member of the team both offensively and defensively, winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP when they won the Stanley Cup in 2019.

6. Sebastian Aho:

Sebastian Aho is a professional hockey player from Finland who currently plays for the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL. He was originally drafted by the Hurricanes in 2015 and has since become an important part of their offense. Aho had a breakout season in 2018-19 where he recorded 83 points, finishing second on the team in scoring. He is known for his excellent vision and playmaking ability, making him one of the most dangerous forwards in the league.

7. Bobby Orr:

Bobby Orr is a legendary NHL defenseman who played most of his career with the Boston Bruins between 1966 and 1976, a span during which he won two Stanley Cups and three Hart Trophies as MVP. His impact extended beyond just wins and awards, as he revolutionized the way defensemen play by becoming the first to join in on the offensive attack. Orr is widely considered to be one of the greatest players of all time and his jersey number 4 was retired by the Bruins in 1979.

8. Doug Gilmour:

Doug Gilmour is a Canadian hockey player who played for seven teams during his 21-year NHL career, most notably with the Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Chicago Blackhawks. He won a Stanley Cup with the Flames in 1989 and had two seasons where he recorded over 100 points (1993-94 & 1995-96). Gilmour is known for his skillful puck handling and his tireless work ethic which earned him both recognition and respect from his peers and fans alike. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2011.

9. Alexander Ovechkin:

Alexander Ovechkin is an NHL player from Moscow, Russia who currently plays for the Washington Capitals. He was drafted first overall by the Capitals in 2004 and has since become one of the most prolific scorers in league history, leading the league in goals eight times and winning three Hart Trophies as the MVP. Ovechkin also led his team to their first Stanley Cup Championship in 2018, scoring 15 points throughout their playoff run. He is widely considered to be one of the best players of all time and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

10. Teddy Blueger:

Teddy Blueger is an NHL player from Latvia who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was drafted by the Penguins in 2012 and made his NHL debut during the 2018-19 season, recording 26 points in 52 games. Blueger is known for his speed and defensive awareness on the ice which has helped him become a reliable two-way forward, often playing important minutes on both the power play and penalty kill units. He has also been one of Pittsburgh’s most consistent point producers, having recorded at least 30 points in each of his first three seasons with the team.

11. Adam Fox:

Adam Fox is an NHL player from Jericho, New York who currently plays for the New York Rangers. He was originally drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2016 and made his debut with them at the beginning of last season before being traded to the Rangers in April 2019. Fox has quickly become an important part of the team’s defense, and he was a key piece in helping the Rangers reach the playoffs this season. Known for his poise on the ice and excellent offensive instincts, Fox is expected to be a big contributor for years to come.

12. Barrett Hayton:

Barrett Hayton is an NHL player from Peterborough, Ontario who currently plays for the Arizona Coyotes. He was drafted in 2018 fifth overall and made his NHL debut at the start of last season. In 2020 he recorded 37 points in 60 games, showing off his offensive talents and making him one of the most promising young players in the league. Hayton has been praised for his skating ability as well as his defensive awareness, earning him ice time on both the power play and penalty kill units. He has already become a fan favorite in Arizona and is expected to be a key contributor for years to come.

13. Dante Fabbro:

Dante Fabbro is an NHL player from New Westminster, British Columbia who currently plays for the Nashville Predators. He was drafted by Nashville in 2016 and made his debut at the start of last season. Fabbro quickly became a regular on the Predators' blue line, averaging over 20 minutes per game in 2019-20 and even scoring three goals and ten points in 64 games. His strong two-way play earned him recognition around the league and he has become one of Nashville’s most dependable defensemen. Fabbro is expected to be a key contributor going forward as the Predators look to make another deep playoff run.

14. Cody Glass:

Cody Glass is an NHL player from Winnipeg, Canada who currently plays for the Vegas Golden Knights. He was drafted in 2017 sixth overall and made his debut at the start of last season. In 2020 he recorded 30 points in 68 games, showing off his offensive talents and making him one of the most promising young players in the league. Despite being just 21 years old, Glass has quickly become a key contributor on both ends of the ice for Vegas, playing important minutes on both their power play and penalty kill units. He is expected to be an important part of the team’s future success.

15. Cale Makar :

Cale Makar is an NHL player from Calgary, Canada who currently plays for the Colorado Avalanche. He was drafted in 2017 fourth overall and made his debut at the start of last season. Makar quickly became one of the best defensemen in the league, recording 50 points in 57 games and being named as a finalist for the Calder Trophy. His outstanding offensive talents combined with his excellent skating ability have made him a fan favorite in Colorado and he has already become a key piece of their blueline. With such strong potential, Makar could be one of the faces of the franchise going forward.