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303 QUICK HIT: 84% of Preds roster has played in international competition

While we take a break after the disappointing conclusion of the 2011-12 Nashville Predators season, we came across an interesting fact that we thought we’d pass along.

Did you know that, of the 31 players on the active roster, only Brian McGrattan, Brandon Yip and Nick Spaling (as well as black aces Chris Mueller and Kyle Wilson) have never represented their country in any kind of international competition? In that light, the Preds have a pretty amazing roster, eh?

The 2012 World Championships are currently going on with Craig Smith and the United States advancing to the quarterfinals against host team Finland on Thursday, May 17. That got us to thinking, “how many players on the current Predators roster have represented their respective countries over the years?” But not just at the Worlds. In the World Juniors or in the Olympics as well. It turns out a staggering 84% of the roster has played in at least one international game during their hockey careers.

How does that compare to other NHL teams? We took the Pittsburgh Penguins, one of the best teams in the league, and did some calculations. Only 14 players on their 23-man roster have suited up in international competition, good for just 61%.

So fear not, Preds fans. Every playoff exit is tough. Some are tough because the season ended too soon and some are tough because success was so close that you could taste it. Nashville has consistently built a competitive team and, if back-to-back second round appearances aren’t enough (the only Western Conference team in the last two years who can say that, by the way), it’s even more evident in the make up of their roster.

A roster that’s chock full of some of the best hockey players in the world apparently.

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