European vs N.A. players (Semin vs Staal - style)

[rocky7]

The thread on the Cane's MVP got me to thinking about this. Both Alexander Semin and Eric Staal are elite players in the NHL. But, they play differently. It is very clear when watching them. Crosby's and Malkin's style of play is also obviously different. An example that I like is that European players in general play with a sort of "finesse" that makes it look easy. There are many differences and perhaps this is why there seems to be a difficult choice to make when comparing Staal and Semin. What do you guys think?

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[tarheelhockey]

European players have historically learned the game differently, but the differences are fading. A large part of it is that North Americans grow up playing on narrower rinks, and have it drilled into them to play a north-south game where you initiate contact in order to take the puck directly to the net. Staal is a prototypical bull-rushing Canadian center, Semin is a prototypical perimeter-playing Russian.

That said, there are plenty of players who defy these categories. Most every elite player has to learn how to play in both types of rink.