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New Jersey has never been considered a traditional hockey hotbed but that's been changing - the Garden State has steadily produced NHL talent over the past several decades. To date, 33 New Jersey natives have reached the NHL, a number that continues to grow.
A portion of that talent has emerged from the Shore Conference.
The Shore has produced seven NHL players all time, including four currently active, as you'll see in the list below. Beyond that group, New Jersey is home to several more current NHL players, including Anthony DeAngelo, Ross Colton, Eric Robinson, Alex Laferriere, Drew O'Connor, Mattias Samuelsson, Kyle MacLean and John Leonard.
Hurricanes vs Golden Knights Game 3 winners, losers: Mitch Marner, Brandon Bussi stand out
With the continued development of elite players throughout the Shore Conference, New Jersey's presence in the NHL appears poised to expand in the years ahead.
LW, 2025-26 team: Detroit Red Wings (72 games, 15 goals, 16 assists, 31 points).
James van Riemsdyk established himself as one of the top hockey players in New Jersey almost immediately after arriving at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft. He earned a varsity role as a freshman and broke out as a sophomore, recording 60 points in 30 games. His most memorable moment came in the state championship game when he scored the overtime winner against Delbarton.
Van Riemsdyk earned All-State honors as a sophomore and was later inducted into the New Jersey High School Ice Hockey Hall of Fame. After two seasons at CBA, he joined the United States National Team Development Program, bypassing his final two years of high school eligibility.
He went on to play at the University of New Hampshire, where he recorded 74 points before leaving school early to begin his professional career. The Philadelphia Flyers selected him with the second overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft.
Over his NHL career, van Riemsdyk has recorded 342 goals and 354 assists. He spent eight seasons with Philadelphia and six with the Toronto Maple Leafs while also making stops with the Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets and Boston Bruins.
D, 2025-26 team: Washington Capitals (68 games, 3 goals, 11 assists, 14 points).
Following in his older brother's footsteps, Trevor van Riemsdyk attended Christian Brothers Academy and spent three seasons with the program, serving as team captain before leaving to play junior hockey with the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs.
After a standout collegiate career at the University of New Hampshire, van Riemsdyk signed with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2014. The defenseman won a Stanley Cup during his rookie season and has gone on to enjoy a lengthy NHL career.
Through 11 NHL seasons, van Riemsdyk has recorded 28 goals and 133 assists while playing for the Blackhawks and Washington Capitals. He recently completed his sixth consecutive season in Washington.
G, 2025-26 team: Toronto Maple Leafs (26 games, 10-10, .893 SV%, 3.28 GAA).
Anthony Stolarz became the first New Jersey-born goaltender to reach the NHL. He began his high school career at St. John Vianney before transferring to Jackson Memorial, where he played during his sophomore and junior seasons.
After spending his senior year with the Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League, Stolarz was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round of the NHL Draft.
Since reaching the NHL, Stolarz has played for five organizations, including lengthy stints with the Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs. He won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2024 while serving as the team's backup goaltender.
D, 2025-26 season: Pittsburgh Penguins (50 games, 2 goals, 4 assists, 6 points).
A native of Long Branch, Connor Clifton starred at Christian Brothers Academy alongside his brother, Tim. During his draft year, Clifton played with the United States National Team Development Program and helped Team USA capture a silver medal at the 2013 IIHF Under-18 World Championship.
The Phoenix Coyotes selected Clifton in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL Draft. He then attended Quinnipiac University, where he became one of the program's top defensemen. Clifton earned ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team honors in all four seasons and served as team captain during his junior year. He was later named the ECAC Hockey Tournament's Most Outstanding Player and earned NCAA Frozen Four honors.
After failing to reach a contract agreement with the Coyotes, Clifton began his professional career with the Providence Bruins before signing an NHL contract with Boston.
Now in his eighth NHL season, Clifton has played for the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins, recording 17 goals and 66 assists.
Jim Dowd became one of New Jersey's hockey pioneers during a 16-year NHL career. He was only the second New Jersey-born player to reach the league and remains one of the state's most accomplished hockey products.
A 1987 graduate of Brick Township High School, Dowd helped lead the Dragons to the NJSIAA state championship in 1986. He finished his high school career with 189 goals and 186 assists. The NJSIAA later named the Dowd Cup in his honor.
Dowd continued his career at Lake Superior State University, helping the Lakers capture the 1988 NCAA championship. He eventually spent 17 seasons in the NHL, including six with the New Jersey Devils.
One of the defining moments of his career came in Game 2 of the 1995 Stanley Cup Final, when he scored the game-winning goal that helped propel the Devils to a series sweep of the Detroit Red Wings.
Dowd finished his NHL career with 71 goals and 168 assists, including a career-best season with the Minnesota Wild in 2001-02.
Rumson native Joakim Ryan added another chapter to Christian Brothers Academy's rich hockey tradition.
During his sophomore and junior seasons, Ryan totaled 29 goals and 45 assists before moving on to junior hockey. He later attended Cornell University, where he developed into one of the nation's top defensemen.
Following his senior season, Ryan signed an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks.
Ryan appeared in 145 NHL games with the Sharks, Los Angeles Kings and Carolina Hurricanes, recording four goals and 20 assists during his professional career.
A Manalapan native, Kevin Boyle developed his game at Manalapan High School before continuing his hockey career at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He later transferred to UMass Lowell, where he emerged as one of the top goaltenders in program history.
At UMass Lowell, Boyle set school records for minutes played and shutouts in a single season. His outstanding 2015-16 campaign earned him Hockey East Goaltender of the Year honors and a share of the conference's Player of the Year award.
Despite going undrafted, Boyle began his professional career with the Utah Grizzlies, the ECHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks. His strong play in the minor leagues earned him his first NHL call-up in November 2018.
Boyle made an immediate impact in his NHL debut with Anaheim, recording the only shutout of his NHL career in his first start. He appeared in five games for the Ducks, posting a 1-3 record, a .928 save percentage and a 2.17 goals-against average.
After several seasons in professional hockey, Boyle announced his retirement in 2022 and transitioned into a career in sports psychology.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ Shore hockey players in the NHL. Who won Stanley Cups?
Continue reading...
A portion of that talent has emerged from the Shore Conference.
The Shore has produced seven NHL players all time, including four currently active, as you'll see in the list below. Beyond that group, New Jersey is home to several more current NHL players, including Anthony DeAngelo, Ross Colton, Eric Robinson, Alex Laferriere, Drew O'Connor, Mattias Samuelsson, Kyle MacLean and John Leonard.
Hurricanes vs Golden Knights Game 3 winners, losers: Mitch Marner, Brandon Bussi stand out
With the continued development of elite players throughout the Shore Conference, New Jersey's presence in the NHL appears poised to expand in the years ahead.
ACTIVE SHORE PLAYERS IN THE NHL
James van Riemsdyk, Christian Brothers Academy Class of 2007
LW, 2025-26 team: Detroit Red Wings (72 games, 15 goals, 16 assists, 31 points).
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James van Riemsdyk established himself as one of the top hockey players in New Jersey almost immediately after arriving at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft. He earned a varsity role as a freshman and broke out as a sophomore, recording 60 points in 30 games. His most memorable moment came in the state championship game when he scored the overtime winner against Delbarton.
Van Riemsdyk earned All-State honors as a sophomore and was later inducted into the New Jersey High School Ice Hockey Hall of Fame. After two seasons at CBA, he joined the United States National Team Development Program, bypassing his final two years of high school eligibility.
He went on to play at the University of New Hampshire, where he recorded 74 points before leaving school early to begin his professional career. The Philadelphia Flyers selected him with the second overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft.
Over his NHL career, van Riemsdyk has recorded 342 goals and 354 assists. He spent eight seasons with Philadelphia and six with the Toronto Maple Leafs while also making stops with the Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets and Boston Bruins.
Trevor van Riemsdyk, Christian Brothers Academy, Class of 2009
D, 2025-26 team: Washington Capitals (68 games, 3 goals, 11 assists, 14 points).
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Following in his older brother's footsteps, Trevor van Riemsdyk attended Christian Brothers Academy and spent three seasons with the program, serving as team captain before leaving to play junior hockey with the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs.
After a standout collegiate career at the University of New Hampshire, van Riemsdyk signed with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2014. The defenseman won a Stanley Cup during his rookie season and has gone on to enjoy a lengthy NHL career.
Through 11 NHL seasons, van Riemsdyk has recorded 28 goals and 133 assists while playing for the Blackhawks and Washington Capitals. He recently completed his sixth consecutive season in Washington.
Anthony Stolarz, St. John Vianney and Jackson Memorial, Class of 2012
G, 2025-26 team: Toronto Maple Leafs (26 games, 10-10, .893 SV%, 3.28 GAA).
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Anthony Stolarz became the first New Jersey-born goaltender to reach the NHL. He began his high school career at St. John Vianney before transferring to Jackson Memorial, where he played during his sophomore and junior seasons.
After spending his senior year with the Corpus Christi IceRays of the North American Hockey League, Stolarz was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the second round of the NHL Draft.
Since reaching the NHL, Stolarz has played for five organizations, including lengthy stints with the Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs. He won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2024 while serving as the team's backup goaltender.
Connor Clifton, Christian Brothers Academy Class of 2013
D, 2025-26 season: Pittsburgh Penguins (50 games, 2 goals, 4 assists, 6 points).
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A native of Long Branch, Connor Clifton starred at Christian Brothers Academy alongside his brother, Tim. During his draft year, Clifton played with the United States National Team Development Program and helped Team USA capture a silver medal at the 2013 IIHF Under-18 World Championship.
The Phoenix Coyotes selected Clifton in the fifth round of the 2013 NHL Draft. He then attended Quinnipiac University, where he became one of the program's top defensemen. Clifton earned ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team honors in all four seasons and served as team captain during his junior year. He was later named the ECAC Hockey Tournament's Most Outstanding Player and earned NCAA Frozen Four honors.
After failing to reach a contract agreement with the Coyotes, Clifton began his professional career with the Providence Bruins before signing an NHL contract with Boston.
Now in his eighth NHL season, Clifton has played for the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins, recording 17 goals and 66 assists.
FORMER SHORE PLAYERS IN THE NHL
Jim Dowd, Brick Township Class of 1987
Jim Dowd became one of New Jersey's hockey pioneers during a 16-year NHL career. He was only the second New Jersey-born player to reach the league and remains one of the state's most accomplished hockey products.
A 1987 graduate of Brick Township High School, Dowd helped lead the Dragons to the NJSIAA state championship in 1986. He finished his high school career with 189 goals and 186 assists. The NJSIAA later named the Dowd Cup in his honor.
Dowd continued his career at Lake Superior State University, helping the Lakers capture the 1988 NCAA championship. He eventually spent 17 seasons in the NHL, including six with the New Jersey Devils.
One of the defining moments of his career came in Game 2 of the 1995 Stanley Cup Final, when he scored the game-winning goal that helped propel the Devils to a series sweep of the Detroit Red Wings.
Dowd finished his NHL career with 71 goals and 168 assists, including a career-best season with the Minnesota Wild in 2001-02.
Joakim Ryan, Christian Brothers Academy Class of 2011
Rumson native Joakim Ryan added another chapter to Christian Brothers Academy's rich hockey tradition.
During his sophomore and junior seasons, Ryan totaled 29 goals and 45 assists before moving on to junior hockey. He later attended Cornell University, where he developed into one of the nation's top defensemen.
Following his senior season, Ryan signed an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks.
Ryan appeared in 145 NHL games with the Sharks, Los Angeles Kings and Carolina Hurricanes, recording four goals and 20 assists during his professional career.
Kevin Boyle, Manalapan High School Class of 2010
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A Manalapan native, Kevin Boyle developed his game at Manalapan High School before continuing his hockey career at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He later transferred to UMass Lowell, where he emerged as one of the top goaltenders in program history.
At UMass Lowell, Boyle set school records for minutes played and shutouts in a single season. His outstanding 2015-16 campaign earned him Hockey East Goaltender of the Year honors and a share of the conference's Player of the Year award.
Despite going undrafted, Boyle began his professional career with the Utah Grizzlies, the ECHL affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks. His strong play in the minor leagues earned him his first NHL call-up in November 2018.
Boyle made an immediate impact in his NHL debut with Anaheim, recording the only shutout of his NHL career in his first start. He appeared in five games for the Ducks, posting a 1-3 record, a .928 save percentage and a 2.17 goals-against average.
After several seasons in professional hockey, Boyle announced his retirement in 2022 and transitioned into a career in sports psychology.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ Shore hockey players in the NHL. Who won Stanley Cups?
Continue reading...
