Can you name the all-time leading NHL scorer who was born or raised in California? No? It’s long-retired journeyman defenseman Lee Norwood of course with a total of 211 points. Coming in at number two is Brooks Orpik and his 185 career points and Orpik was raised in New York and played his developmental hockey in Massachusetts. The state of California has simply never been much of producer of hockey talent. Not for long. The grassroots movement in Southern California, fueled by the success of its three NHL rival teams, has begun to grow talent at a rate never before seen in the state or in many southern markets. Soon, California natives will be making names for themselves at the highest level.
For a while now, Boston Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller has been the best player in the NHL both born and raised in California. The rugged blue liner from Los Angeles is 30 years old, making him more of an outlier ahead of his time. However, younger pros are beginning to line up behind him for the title of top Californian. Chad Ruhwedel, Ian McCoshen, Matthew Nieto, Beau Bennett, Nic Kerdiles, Eric Comrie and Collin Delia make up the list of other West Coast natives that are getting play time in the NHL.
The above group is still not all that impressive. The point being that the SoCal hockey movement hasn’t hit just yet. It is the next wave that will really start to turn heads. The poster boy is Vancouver Canucks top goalie prospect Thatcher Demko. The San Diego product was an early second-round pick in 2014 and has impressed at every level: the USHL, NCAA, and AHL. Once the Canucks finally give him a legitimate role in the NHL, he could become a top goalie in the league.
Demko was a product of the Tier 1 Elite Hockey League, a nationwide premiere youth league with teams based in major cities across the U.S., some of whom have even adopted the local NHL club’s moniker. Demko played for the Los Angeles Jr. Kings U16 team in 2011-12. To take a look at how hockey has grown since, here are some other names who have suited up for the same team since:
- Robby Jackson, the leading scorer for St. Cloud State University, the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament in 2017-18. Jackson turned down pro offers to return to school for his senior season.
- Jake McGrew, a 2017 sixth-round draft pick of the San Jose Sharks who currently plays a top-six role for the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL
- Cole Guttman, a 2017 sixth-round draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning and former top ten USHL scoring leader who heads to the University of Denver this year
- Murphy Stratton, a point-per-game power forward in the BCHL last year who is committed to the University of North Dakota
- Sahil Panwar, the 23rd overall pick by the London Knights in the OHL Priority Selection Draft this year and a 2020 NHL Draft prospect
While the Jr. Kings have had quite a run in recent years, the cross-town rival Anaheim Jr. Ducks have been keeping busy of late. In just the past year, the Ducks have had numerous major commitments. Josh Groll, on of the T1EHL’s top scorers last season, is bound for the University of Michigan. Ryan Johnson, who scored the second-most points by a defenseman in league history a year ago, is committed to the University of Minnesota. Just today, the University of Massachusetts received a commitment from forward Ethan Wothers. The top player to watch of them all though is Jackson Niedermayer, son of Hall of Famer Scott Niedermayer, who will join the Penticton Vees of the BCHL this season and promises to be an intriguing name in next year’s NHL Draft.
This is just the beginning of what grassroots hockey may grow to be in Southern California. Beaches and year round warm weather aside, the area has everything it needs to continue to grow the game: popular NHL teams, plenty of wealth to support facilities and training, an opportunity to be noticed, and now a high level of interest among the many young athletes. Kevan Miller may want to watch out, his title of being the best Californian in the NHL might not last much longer.
No Rocco Grimaldi?
How did you come to those point totals?
Beau Bennett is a huge bust. Frail build, was oft-injured & only has 24 goals in 200 career games since being drafted 20th overall in 2010. Mostly toiled in the minors for the Blues’ farm team last year.
He is but its not like he was a top 10 pick. A late first rounder being a bust is no shock
20th pick overall. I think he played roller hockey more than ice hockey. He has incredible hands & showed signs of being a sniper, but wasn’t consistent enough to stay at the NHL level.
Your overall premise is good, but your details could use some help. You fail to mention the three California 99s who just suited up for the USA U20 team, Chmelevski, Robertson and St. Ivany. The first two looked quite good and have legit shots at the NHL; if St. Ivany continues to progress, he might make it as a second or third pairing defenseman in a few years. And what about Vanya Lodnia, who signed an ELC with Minnesota last season?
You also miss the most promising 2001 prospect coming out of So Cal, former Jr. Duck Cam York, currently playing for USNTDP and just ranked #12 NA skater (#3 defenseman) in the NHL Central Scouting midterms. Also Dustin Wolf, currently with Everett WHL, who is the #17 NA goalie in the midterms, which I think is a little low actually. Niedermayer is an OK prospect but in no way the “top player” of the California draft eligibles.
California youth hockey development continues to improve, and the 2001 birth year probably is the deepest ever. There likely will be seven kids with California connections (i.e. born and/or played here) drafted in the NHL from that class, and close to triple that number could ultimately reach NCAA D1 or Major Junior (including several women D1 commits).
P.S. Jason Zucker, who was born in Newport Beach and played PeeWee and Bantam for LA Hockey Club (on same squad as Bennett, Nieto & Etem) is going to be the all-time leading “born or raised in California” scorer by season end.