The Israeli iceman: New Jersey farm hand Max Birbraer's path to stardom has been marked with michegas, but he remains confident he'll reach the promised land of the NHL

Hockey Digest, Jan, 2003 by Chuck O'Donnell

Steve Dubinsky, St. Louis

This 11th-round pick has bounced up and down between the NHL and the minors since making his pro debut with the Blackhawks in 1993. The Montreal native has played 347 games for Chicago, Calgary, and Nashville, and is currently playing for Worcester of the AHL, St. Louis' farm club.

Ladislav Kohn, Calgary

The 27-year-old Czech right wing is currently playing for St. John's of the AHL, the Flames' farm club. A seventh-round pick in 1994, he played five games for the Flames in 1996. He's since made stops in Toronto, Anaheim, Atlanta, and Detroit, where he played four games last season for the champs.

PAST PLAYERS

Ross Brooks Goalie, Boston, 1972-75,

Hy Buller Defense, Detroit, N.Y. Rangers, 1943-45 and 1951-54.

Justin Duberman Right wing, Pittsburgh, 1993-94,

Mike Hartman Left wing, Buffalo, Winnipeg, Tampa, N.Y. Rangers, 1986-95.

Gizzy Hart Left wing, Detroit Cougars, Montreal, 1926-28 and 1932-33.

Peter Ing Goalie, Toronto, Edmonton, Detroit, 1989-94.

Max Kaminsky Center, Ottawa Senators, Boston, St. Louis Eagles, Montreal Maroons, 1933-37.

Alex Levinsky Left wing, Toronto, Chicago, 1930-39.

David Nemirofsky Right wing, Florida, 1995-99.

Steve Richmond Defense, N.Y. Rangers, Detroit, New Jersey, Los Angeles, 1983-89.

Sammy Rothschild Left wing, Montreal Maroons, Pittsburgh Pirates, N.Y. Americans, 1924-28.

Todd Simon Center, Buffalo, 1993-94.

Mike Veisor Goalie, Chicago, Hartford, Winnipeg, 1973-84.

Brian Wilks Center, Los Angeles, 1984-89.

Bernie Wolfe Goalie, Washington, 1975-79.

Larry Zeidel Defense, Detroit, Chicago, Philadelphia, 1951-54 and 1967-69.

MISCELLANEOUS

There are a number of Jewish players currently in the minors, including Mike Henrich, Edmonton's first-round pick in 1998 (13th overall), the highest drafted Jewish player in NHL history. This past June, two Jewish players were taken in the draft: Adam Henrich (Michael's younger brother) was picked in the second round (60th overall) by Tampa Bay and Robert Gherson was selected in the fifth round (145th overall) by Washington.

Two hockey giants, one past and one present, are also Jewish: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Cecil Hart, who coached the Montreal Maroons from 1924-26 and the Canadiens from 1928-31, Hart, who led the Habs to the Stanley Cup in 1930 and '31, also donated the Hart Trophy to the league, which to this day is awarded to the NHL's MVP.