A generation or two ago, it wasn't a thing.
But these days, as U.S.-born players make up more than a quarter of the overall NHL rank and file, it makes some sense on Independence Day to consider the best of the best.
The B/R hockey team took a break from its cavalcade of patriotism and pyrotechnics to look at each of the NHL's franchises and decide upon its top American-born player ever.
And while it is possible for one player to make the list in two different places, it'll be based on merit while wearing each team's colors rather than just saying "so and so is the greatest American to be on the team.