The Tri-City Americans are off to a great start in a shortened 2020-21 WHL season. They took the Portland Winterhawks to overtime on Thursday and sent them out of Toyota Center empty-handed with 48.3 seconds left in overtime.

It didn't seem like this was Tri-City's first game in 375 games. Talyn Boyko played lights out, the Americans were smart and alert on defense, and patient and crisp on offense. It was one of those games that reminds you that the NHL scouts are always watching. Out there on the Toyota Center Ice, you could be watching a future NHL star.

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The Americans have a rich history of developing future NHL goalies like Carey Price and Olaf Kolzig. Notable skaters have also put on the stars and stripes in Kennewick. The Americans have produced several first-round picks and other less-touted players who fought their way to the big stage. They're a proud franchise and they deserve a ton of credit.

Diehard American fans will know pretty much every name on this list. Not every player that ever got a second of NHL ice time will be on the list. If you want to see how many Americans were drafted by NHL teams, it's actually a pretty big list.

If you're a casual fan, prepare to have your mind blown. These guys are pretty impressive.

Tri-City Americans Who Played in the NHL

Hockey is one of the hardest sports to play. Most hockey players will play the sport their entire lives, starting to skate as soon as they can walk. Even with all that dedication, the likelihood a player cracks an NHL roster is astronomically low. The WHL is a high-tier developmental league that sees many of its players make it to the show. But for a player who makes it to the WHL or any other junior league, the chances of them reaching the NHL is still only 5%. These former Tri-City Americans are those elite few who have made the jump.

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