We all know though that the bulk of NHL players has historically been from Canada. In fact, the ECHL, NCAA, and AHL rosters are stacked with Iowan athletes (among others). This is why the 2022–23 season is one that every fan should be following.
And since the 2022–23 season is nearly over, it’s time to update the list of the best NHL talents that came from Iowa. If you wish to read more about the top best sports teams in Iowa, visit ClutchBet.
1. Scott Clemmensen
Scott Clemmensen was born on July 23, 1977. He is an American retired professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers in the NHL.
After playing junior hockey with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and high school hockey with the Des Moines Capitals of the MHSHL, Clemmensen was selected by the New Jersey Devils in the eighth round, 215th overall of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.
After being drafted, Clemmensen participated in four consecutive NCAA tournaments, making it to the Frozen Four each year and to the championship game three times. With 10 victories, he still maintains the NCAA record for most tournament wins in a career.
2. Cal Petersen
Cal Petersen was born on October 19, 1994. He is an American goaltender who plays for the Ontario Reign of the American Hockey League (AHL) while on contract with the Los Angeles Kings.
The Buffalo Sabres took him 129th overall in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. As an unrestricted free agent, he agreed to a two-year entry-level deal with the Kings on July 1, 2017.
Petersen played ice hockey for the University of Notre Dame in college before becoming a pro. He made 87 saves in the longest collegiate ice hockey game ever, setting an NCAA Division I record. As a student at Notre Dame, Petersen was selected for the First All-Star Team and the All-Rookie Team.
So far, to this day, a total of 101 NHL games have been played by Petersen, who has a record of 44–42–10, a GAA of 2.92, and a save percentage of .905.
3. Tucker Poolman
Tucker Poolman was born In Iowa on June 8, 1993, although he was raised in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. He is an American professional ice hockey defenseman presently a member of the Vancouver Canucks.
Before being admitted to the Wichita Falls Wildcats, Poolman had three U.S. Hockey League and North American Hockey League tryouts after going undrafted in the NHL Entry Draft.
In his first year with the team, Poolman earned a spot on the First All-Star Team for the USHL in 2013–14 and was honored with the Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award as the best junior hockey player of American descent.
4. C.J. Smith
C.J. Smith was born in Des Maines, Iowa, on December 1, 1994. He is an American professional ice hockey forward presently playing for the Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League while on contract to the New York Rangers. Smith has not yet been selected from the state of Iowa.
On April 2, 2017, Smith made his Sabres debut against the New York Islanders in a 4–2 loss. He also recorded his first NHL point by assisting Evander Kane on a goal in that game.
Smith spent the 2017–18 campaign with the Rochester Americans, the AHL affiliate of the Sabres. Smith was chosen to participate in the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic on January 4, 2018, during his first season with the Americans.
Smith signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Rangers on August 2, 2022, as a free agent.
