As of December 13, 225 Minnesotans have played at least one game of professional hockey in the 2011-12 season

By Kevin Kurtt

Let’s Play Hockey Editor

On Dec. 8, the Minnesota Wild called up Houston Aeros forward Jeff Taffe to take the place of injured Devin Setoguchi in the lineup against the Los Angeles Kings. The native of Hastings, Minn., promptly tallied an assist just 24 seconds into his first shift as a member of the Wild.

Joining Taffe on the ice that night in Los Angeles were fellow Minnesotans Matt Cullen and Mike Lundin, marking the first time in franchise history that three natives of the State of Hockey played in the same game for the Minnesota Wild.

The Wild’s lineup that night was a microcosm of professional hockey today in North America and abroad. In fact, 225 natives of Minnesota have played at least one pro hockey game in the 2011-12 season. That number includes 205 men and 20 women. Three more Minnesotans are members of a professional franchise, but have not suited up due to injury.

For the current season, 43 Minnesota natives have played at least one game in the National Hockey League, while another 43 have suited up in the American Hockey League. Another 56 have played in one of the other minor hockey leagues in North America, bringing the total number of Minnesota natives playing pro hockey in the U.S. and Canada to 162.

In addition, 63 Minnesotans have taken to the ice in one of the numerous professional hockey leagues in Europe, Asia and Australia.

All told, there are 117 forwards, 93 defensemen and 15 goalies from the state of Minnesota playing professional hockey this season.

And the numbers will only continue to grow. At last summer’s NHL Entry Draft, 15 Minnesotans were selected by various NHL teams, including four picks in the first three rounds. The NHL Central Scouting Service’s “Players to Watch” list for the 2012 Entry Draft includes 25 more Minnesota natives who have a shot at hearing their name called next June.

The numbers don’t stop there. An additional 71 non-Minnesotans who have taken to the ice in a pro hockey game this season played college hockey at one of the state’s many Division I or III college hockey programs.

The Minnesota Wild got it right – this state really is the State of Hockey. Sure, Canada will continue to be the major supplier of players to the various pro hockey leagues, but Minnesota’s contribution to the sport has been immense. Not only is Minnesota the State of Hockey, it’s also the State of Professional Hockey Players.

• Minnesotans in the pros

Minnesotans in Professional Hockey

Top Scoring Minnesotans by League

Top Scoring Minnesotan Defensemen by League

Top Minnesotan Goaltenders (GAA)

Minnesota Hometowns Represented in Pro Hockey

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