Born: Feb. 21, 1976, in Banff, Alberta

Played 1995 to present for the Edmonton Oilers, New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche and LA Kings.

I'm sure that including Ryan Smyth, the only player on this list that hasn't won a Stanley Cup, is going to raise some eyebrows at the very least. The closest Smyth has come to the Stanley Cup was the Edmonton Oilers' run to the finals in 2005. 

But to me, any team consisting of the best Canadian players has to include "Captain Canada."

Smyth earned his nickname by playing the most games for Team Canada of any player in the modern era. He has played 84 games for Team Canada, and has been named the captain in six different tournaments.

In 1995, Smyth won the World Junior Championships. 

In 2003 and 2004, he won the world championships.

In 2002, he won Olympic gold in Salt Lake.

In 2004, he won the World Cup.

Smyth isn't the most talented player on this list by a long shot. But you'd be hard-pressed to find a harder worker, one who isn't afraid to go to the dirty areas to make a play.

And he is also someone who jumps at the chance to represent his country, unlike some other players who prefer to spend their summers on the beach.