Stempniak graduated from St. Francis High School in Athol Springs, New York, in 2001, and played his college hockey at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. A well-traveled and versatile forward, Stempniak has played for ten different teams in his NHL career, which is tied for the second-most in NHL history. On October 1, 2019 after 14 seasons in the NHL he announced his retirement.[1][2]
Stempniak lived near an ice hockey rink where he knew the owner. The owner would let him practice whenever he could. After high school, he wanted to continue to play hockey, but his parents wanted him to go to college. Stempniak went to the only college that showed interest in him, Dartmouth. At Dartmouth, he majored in economics. He became a top player for the Big Green ice hockey team and was named a two-time All American, as well as his team’s captain.[3]
Stempniak was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the fifth round, 148th overall, at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He led the team in goals in his first full season (2006–07), with 27, despite being just 23 years of age. He and David Backes joined Jay McClement to form one of the NHL’s youngest lines.
On March 3, 2010, Stempniak was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for Matt Jones and a fourth- and seventh-round draft pick 2010. Twelve days later, Stempniak was named the NHL’s Second Star of the Week, scoring five goals in three games, all in victories for the Coyotes.[6] On April 1, 2010, Stempniak earned the NHL’s Player of the Month honor for March after scoring 13 goals since the trade to Phoenix.[7]
On August 30, 2010, Stempniak signed a two-year contract extension with the Coyotes.[8]
Lee Stempniak prior to making his debut with the Flames in 2011.
On August 29, 2011, the Coyotes traded Stempniak to the Calgary Flames for Daymond Langkow.[9] He went on to record 14 goals with 14 assists during 61 games in 2011–12. On June 29, 2012, Stempniak re-signed with the Flames on a two-year, $5 million deal.[10]
During the 2013–14 season, on March 5, 2014, Stempniak was dealt at the NHL trade deadline to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a third-round draft pick.[11] In 21 games with the club, Stempniak recorded 11 points. He also had three points in 13 playoff games as the Penguins would lose in Round 2 against the New York Rangers.
On July 19, 2014, Stempniak agreed to join his sixth NHL team, signing a one-year contract as a free agent with the New York Rangers.[12] In the 2014–15 season, Stempniak was primarily used by the Rangers in a bottom six role, compiling nine goals and 18 points in 53 games.
Stempniak scored the first playoff goal in Winnipeg since 1996 when he beat Anaheim’s Frederik Andersen in the first period of Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarter Finals for a 1-0 Jets lead.[14]
On September 16, 2015, Stempniak agreed to join the New Jersey Devils on a professional tryout. He was signed by the Devils to a one-year contract worth $850,000 on October 3, 2015.[15] In the 2015–16 season, Stempniak made a seamless transition to provide instant value to the Devils. In a scoring role, Stempniak was leading the Devils with 41 points in 63 games, having his best offensive season since 2010.
Stempniak was traded for a third consecutive season at the trade deadline to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a second-round and fourth-round pick on February 29, 2016.[16] Stempniak finished out the season scoring 10 points in 19 games.
Unable to help the Bruins into the post-season, Stempniak familiarly approached the off-season as a free agent. Following a successful individual year, on July 1, 2016, Stempniak was promptly signed to a two-year contract to join his tenth NHL club, the Carolina Hurricanes.[17]
Stempniak joined the Boston Bruins during the start of training camp, signing a Professional Tryout (PTO) contract on September 10, 2018.[18] Stempniak began the 2018–19 without a contract, however continued to train with the Bruins at times throughout the first months of the season.[19] While continuing informally with the team, Stempniak belatedly signed a professional try-out contract in the AHL to join affiliate, the Providence Bruins, on February 15, 2019.[20] After 4 games with Providence, and ahead of the NHL trade deadline, Stempniak signed a one-year, one-way contract with Boston on February 24, 2019.[21]
Robert F. Zamuner (born September 17, 1969) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey forward, who played thirteen seasons in the NHL, most notably with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
In 1992 he signed as a free agent with the expansion Tampa Bay Lightning when the Rangers showed little interest in re-signing him. In Tampa he developed a reputation as a competent, hard working, defensive-minded forward, and was named team captain in 1998. The next year he was traded to the Ottawa Senators for Andreas Johansson and the right to sign General Manager Rick Dudley, who was still serving as GM of the Senators. He played in Ottawa for two seasons, playing regularly on the third line in a defensive role. In 2001, he moved on, signing as a free agent with the Boston Bruins.
During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Zamuner went to play with HC Basel in Switzerland. With his scoring deteriorating, no NHL team was willing to sign him so he stayed in Europe the next season, signing with Bolzano HC in Italy. On June 6, 2006, Zamuner signed to play the remainder of the 2006 season with the Brisbane Blue Tongues of the Australian Ice Hockey League, after which he retired.
Internationally, Zamuner played twice on Canada’s world championship teams. Zamuner’s defensive play, along with his exceptional face-off taking ability led to a surprise selection on Canada’s 1998 Olympic men’s hockey team.
Stanley Philip Smyl (born January 28, 1958) is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. He was selected 40th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft and went on to play his entire NHL career with the team until his retirement in 1991. He featured in the 1982 Stanley Cup Finals with the Canucks.
Nicknamed “Steamer” by the Bellingham Blazer fans for his relentless and hard-nosed style of play,[1] he served as captain for a team record eight seasons, later tied by Henrik Sedin. He retired as the Canucks’ all-time leader in games played, goals, assists and points – all of which have been since surpassed by Trevor Linden and Markus Näslund. His assist record was also passed by Henrik Sedin. Smyl’s number 12 was the first retired number in Canucks’ history, as it was raised to the Pacific Coliseum rafters in 1991. It now hangs with Pavel Bure‘s number 10, Trevor Linden’s number 16, Markus Näslund’s number 19, Daniel Sedin’s number 22, and Henrik Sedin’s number 33 at Rogers Arena.
The end of his playing career coincided with the beginning of a 13-year coaching career, serving as an assistant with the Canucks and a head coach with the club’s minor league affiliates: the Syracuse Crunch, Kansas City Blades and Manitoba Moose. Upon being let go as coach of the Moose, he was reassigned to the Canucks’ front office where he has served as director of player development and director of collegiate scouting, before being appointed role as senior advisor on hockey operations. In December 2021, Smyl briefly served as interim general manager of the Canucks after general manager Jim Benning was relieved of his duties.
In 1976–77, New Westminster repeated as President’s Cup champions as Smyl posted 66 points in the regular season, then 13 points in 13 playoff games.[4] Returning to the Memorial Cup, the Bruins won their first major junior title in franchise history.[5] Playing in his third and final major junior season, Smyl recorded a WCJHL career high 76 points over 53 games. In the 1978 WCHL playoffs, he notched 35 points in 20 games, capturing his third consecutive President’s Cup with the Bruins.[4] At the 1978 Memorial Cup, Smyl was named the tournament MVP and received tournament All-Star Team honours with 14 points in five games.[7] The Bruins became the first team to repeat as Memorial Cup champions in consecutive years as the Bruins won for the second straight year.[6]
After a decorated season with the New Westminster Bruins, his final year of junior, Smyl was a third round, 40th overall selection in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft by the Vancouver Canucks.[8] Smyl entered the NHL with the Canucks the following season in 1978–79. Playing on a line with fellow rookies Thomas Gradin and Curt Fraser,[9] he scored 14 goals and 38 points over 62 games in his first season. He also proved to be physical, earning 89 penalty minutes as well. As the Canucks qualified for the 1979 playoffs as the final seed, Smyl scored his first NHL post-season goal in game one of the preliminary round against the Philadelphia Flyers.[10] Vancouver won the game 3–2,[10] but went on to lose the best-of-three series in three games. Smyl also played three games for the Central Hockey League‘s Dallas Black Hawks during the campaign.
Smyl became a point-per-game player in his second NHL season, leading the Canucks in scoring with 31 goals and 78 points over 77 games in 1979–80. In the second half of the season, he registered a team record point-scoring streak that lasted 12 games (five goals and 22 points) between February 7 and March 4, 1980.[11] The streak broke Dennis Kearns‘ 11-game mark, set three years prior in March 1977.[11] Shortly after the streak ended, he notched his first NHL career hat trick against the goaltender Pat Riggin during a game against the Atlanta Flames on March 7.[11] Nearly a month later, he notched four assists in one game – a 5–0 win against the Edmonton Oilers on April 1, 1980.[12]
The following campaign, Smyl was involved in an on-ice incident during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 17, 1981.[13] During the first period, opposing forward Gary Risslingspeared him in the face.[13] Joined by several teammates, Smyl began fighting Rissling.[13] Consequently, Smyl and Rissling both received minor penalties for roughing and major penalties for fighting, while additionally being ejected from the game.[13] A week later, Rissling received a four-game suspension from NHL executive vice president Brian O’Neill.[14] Smyl was not injured on the play and appeared in all 80 games for the Canucks in 1980–81, notching 25 goals and 63 points.
Early in the 1981–82 season, Smyl recorded a five-point game, notching a hat trick and two assists, in an 8–4 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on October 31, 1981.[15] Late in the campaign, he was named team captain, succeeding defenceman Kevin McCarthy, who had broken his ankle during practice.[16] He went on to complete the campaign with 34 goals and 78 points over 80 games.
Despite finishing the regular season with a losing record, the Canucks embarked on a playoff run to the franchise’s first Stanley Cup Finals in team history. In the fifth and deciding game of the semi-finals against the Chicago Black Hawks, Smyl notched two goals in a 6–2 win to capture the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl as conference champions, sending the Canucks to the Finals.[17] Facing the New York Islanders, who had finished the regular season 41 points ahead of the Canucks and had won the Stanley Cup the previous two years, they were swept in four games.[18] Smyl scored the Canucks’ only goal in their 3–1 defeat in game four, tying the game at 1–1 in the first period on his own rebound before Mike Bossy scored twice to secure the Islanders’ win.[18] Smyl accumulated 19 points in 18 playoff games, second in team scoring to Thomas Gradin.
During the subsequent off-season, Canucks general manager Harry Neale appointed Smyl as McCarthy’s permanent successor as team captain.[19] The decision was influenced by the Canucks’ run to the Finals under Smyl’s captaincy. Neale commented, “We reached a tremendous high last spring under Stan as captain and we feel we want to continue that atmosphere.”[19] Consequently, McCarthy asked to be traded,[19] but remained with the team for one-and-a-half seasons thereafter until he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins in January 1984.[20]
In his first full season as captain, Smyl recorded career highs with 38 goals and 50 assists. In addition to leading the club in scoring for the second time in his career, his 88 points established a club record (it was broken by Patrik Sundström‘s 91 points the following season).[11] Late in the campaign, he recorded the most prolific month by a Canucks player in team history with 31 points (10 goals and 21 assists) over 16 games in March 1983.[11] During that span, he reeled off a 13-game point streak from February 27 to March 23 that included eight goals and 27 points.[11] At 13 games, the streak surpassed the previous team record he set in 1980, but was quickly broken by teammate Darcy Rota six days later with a 14-game scoring streak of his own.[11] Smyl, Rota and Gradin formed a high-scoring top line for Vancouver; all three teammates finished among the league’s top 30 players in points.[21] Entering the 1983 playoffs, the Canucks attempted to defend their Clarence S. Campbell Bowl of the previous season, but were defeated in four games of a best-of-five series against the Calgary Flames. Smyl helped the Canucks stave off elimination in game three, scoring the game winning goal with 57 seconds to go in regulation,[22] but they were defeated the following game.
The following season in 1983–84, Smyl’s production dipped to 67 points. Vancouver met the Flames in the first round of the playoffs for the second consecutive year, losing in four games once more. Smyl and the Canucks would not qualify for the playoffs again for five years. He remained in the 60-point range in the 1984–85 and 1985–86 seasons. On February 27, 1985, Smyl scored his 187th career goal to pass Don Lever as the Canucks’ all-time leading goal-scorer.[11]
Late in the 1985–86 season, Smyl suffered torn knee ligaments due to a blindsiding check from opposing forward Alain Côté during the final minute of a 7–6 win against the Quebec Nordiques on March 26, 1987.[23] He was sidelined for the remainder of the campaign.[23] In the off-season, Smyl was re-signed by the Canucks to a multi-year contract in July 1986.[24]
The following season, the Canucks met the Nordiques in a game on October 13, 1986.[25] Smyl fought Côté during the game, but he was consequently sidelined by re-injuring his knee.[25] Upon returning to the lineup, Smyl was involved in an altercation with Montreal Canadiens forward Stéphane Richer that led to a bench-clearing brawl during a game on November 2.[26] After spearing Richer late in the third period, Canadiens forward Claude Lemieux then sucker-punched Smyl in the head on his way to the bench.[27] A total of 139 penalty minutes were assessed to both teams and the Canadiens went on to win the game 5–3.[27]
Later in the season, Smyl became the Canucks’ all-time leader in regular season games played with 648, passing Harold Snepsts in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers on November 5, 1985.[11] The following month, Smyl became the Canucks all-time points leader on December 14, 1986.[28] Notching his sixth career hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks,[11] he recorded his 551st career point to pass Thomas Gradin’s all-time leading mark of 550.[28] A little over a month later, Smyl was awarded the first and only penalty shot of his NHL career during a game against the Calgary Flames on January 16, 1987.[11] Facing goaltender Mike Vernon, he scored to help the Canucks win 9–5.[11] There was speculation at the trade deadline in March 1987 that Smyl would be traded to a playoff contender, as the Canucks were in the midst of another losing season. Smyl responded by asserting that Vancouver was his home and he had no desire to be dealt away.[29] He finished the campaign with 20 goals and 43 points over 66 games in an injury-shortened season. It marked the lowest points total of his career and the start of a decrease in production in the remaining four seasons before his retirement.
After recording eight consecutive 20-plus goal seasons, Smyl’s production dipped to 12 goals and 37 points over 57 games in 1987–88. Injured during the season, Smyl was temporarily replaced by defenceman Daryl Stanley as team captain in his absence.[30] The following year, Smyl appeared in his last playoffs with the Canucks, as well as his first in five years. The Canucks took the Presidents’ Trophy winner Calgary Flames to seven games in the first round, but lost the deciding game in overtime.[31] Smyl had an opportunity to win the series for Vancouver on a breakaway in overtime, but was stopped by a Mike Vernon glove save.[31] Smyl was held without a point in the series.[31]
An eagle statue dedicated to Smyl in Downtown Vancouver.
In 1989–90, Smyl played his last season as team captain and recorded 16 points in 47 games. He was often a healthy scratch (non-dressing player) and did not score his first goal of the season until the final game on March 31, 1990, a 6–3 win against the Los Angeles Kings (he had not previously scored since April 2, 1989 – the final game of the previous season).[32] At the start of the next season, Smyl resigned his captaincy and it was split throughout the season between Dan Quinn, Doug Lidster and Trevor Linden (the captaincy would be retained by Linden). Smyl had held the position for eight years, the longest tenure among Canucks captains all-time. He scored his last NHL goal on December 5, 1990, against the New Jersey Devils.[33] He played his last game on March 16, 1991, against the New York Islanders.[33] After managing 14 points in 45 games, Smyl retired at the end of the 1990–91 season.
Smyl retired with Canucks franchise records in every major statistical category with 262 goals, 411 assists and 673 points in 896 games played.[7] He became the first Canucks player to have his jersey number retired as his #12 was raised to the rafters at the Pacific Coliseum on November 3, 1991.[7][34] In 2000, he was inducted into the British Columbia Hockey Hall of Fame.[35]
Smyl’s all-time team records stood for more than a decade until Trevor Linden (who was part of the Canucks tri-captaincy after Smyl resigned the captaincy) overtook them, beginning with his goals mark in 2002–03.[36] The following season in 2003–04, Linden played in his 897th game and recorded his 674th point as a Canuck to surpass Smyl on both marks.[37][38] Smyl’s last major mark of assists was passed by Linden on November 8, 2007 and then surpassed by Henrik Sedin in the 2009-10 season.[39] Later Canucks captain Markus Näslund would, in turn, surpass Linden’s marks in goals and points, but not games. Smyl was later present as Linden’s retirement ceremony as he joined Smyl as the only two players to have their jersey numbers retired by the Canucks. Näslund joined them in that honour during the 2010–11 season.[40]
Smyl was relatively small for an NHL player at 5 feet and 8 inches.[7] He was known for his two-way play, being responsible on defence, while also producing offensively.[7] He compensated for his size with toughness and relentless checking that made him a fan favourite and earned him the nickname “Steamer”.[1][7] Smyl was also a strong leader, serving as captain for the Canucks for eight seasons.[7]
When Smyl announced his retirement on July 3, 1991, he was concurrently named a Canucks assistant coach, along with Rick Ley, to Pat Quinn.[47] He was honoured for his playing career, spent entirely with the Canucks, during a pre-game ceremony on November 3.[48] In his third year behind the bench, Smyl was involved in his second Stanley Cup Finals with the Canucks in 1994. Vancouver went to seven games with the New York Rangers, losing 3–2 in the deciding game. Smyl helped coach opposite Rangers assistant coach Colin Campbell, who was also a part of the Canucks’ 1982 Cup run as a player.
Between 1994 and 1999, the Canucks’ head coaching position changed five times. Ley overtook head coaching duties from 1994 to 1996 as Quinn returned to his executive positions as president and general manager. After Ley was fired late in the 1995–96 season, Quinn served as the Canucks’ interim head coach until Tom Renney was hired for the beginning of the 1996–97 season. In turn, Renney was fired after one-and-a-half seasons and replaced by Mike Keenan. Throughout the changes, Smyl remained in his position as assistant under all four head coaches.
In June 1999, Smyl was named head coach of the Canucks’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. He became the second coach in Crunch history, replacing Jack McIlhargey, who had served for five seasons.[49] He coached the Crunch to a .500 season in his debut behind the bench. In the 2000 off-season, the Canucks signed a two-year affiliation agreement with the Kansas City Blades of the International Hockey League (IHL). Smyl was reassigned to Kansas City, replacing their previous coach Paul MacLean.[50]
When the IHL folded following Smyl’s first season with the Blades, he was moved back to the AHL, named coach of the Manitoba Moose on June 28, 2001.[51] He coached them to the second round in 2002–03. On March 2, 2004, he notched his 100th win as head coach of the Moose in a 3–0 win over the Milwaukee Admirals.[52] However, as the Moose missed the playoffs for the first time in seven years in 2004, Smyl was dismissed as head coach on June 7, 2004,[53] and reassigned within the Canucks organization.[54] He was replaced by Washington Capitals assistant coach Randy Carlyle.[55] Some Moose players later commented that Carlyle exhibited a stronger presence and was more demanding in comparison to Smyl.[56][57]
Let go as Moose head coach, Smyl was named the Canucks’ Director of Player Development in the 2004 off-season.[58] Much of his time was spent overseeing the play of prospects within the Canucks’ farm system – for example those playing with the Manitoba Moose of the AHL and Victoria Salmon Kings of the ECHL.[59] He served in that capacity for four years until Mike Gillis took over as Canucks general manager from Dave Nonis after the 2007–08 season. Gillis expanded the Canucks’ player development and scouting departments and assigned Smyl the newly created position as Director of Collegiate Scouting.[60] Former NHL player Dave Gagner assumed Smyl’s former Director of Player Development role.[60] After one season in that role, Smyl was re-positioned, to his current role as Senior Advisor to Gillis before the 2008–09 season on September 11, 2008. In his duties as Advisor he still partially oversees collegiate scouting.[61]
On December 5–9, 2021, Smyl briefly served as interim general manager of the Canucks after the firing of Jim Benning.[62][63]
Following his long NHL career – in 1973–74 he played for the Chicago Cougars of the World Hockey Association, after a year of coaching in Switzerland.[4] He had 250 goals and 324 assists during his NHL career, and won a Stanley Cup championship with Chicago in 1961. The rangy right winger was a superb penalty killer, who also was known for using his elbows in the corners.[citation needed]
Nesterenko was better known for speed on the ice than for goal-scoring. Chicago sportswriter Bob Markus commented, “I’ve always thought that Nesterenko would have been the greatest player of all time if they played the game without a puck.”[5]
During one game in 1961, Nesterenko infamously attacked Willie O’Ree, the first black player in the NHL, with racial slurs and butt-ended O’Ree with his hockey stick, breaking O’Ree’s nose and knocking out his front teeth. O’Ree retaliated with his stick and Nesterenko required 15 stitches in his head.[6]
Gonchar was the first round pick, 14th overall, of the Washington Capitals in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. He began his North American career in 1994, suiting up in two playoff games for the Capitals’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Portland Pirates. He continued with Portland in 1994–95 before making his NHL debut with the Capitals on 7 February 1995, against the Buffalo Sabres.[2] He appeared in 31 games total during the lockout-shortened 1994–95 season. The following year, in his first full-length campaign in the NHL, Gonchar tallied 41 points, showing his potential as an effective offensive defenceman.
In the 1998–99 season, Gonchar became the first Russian defenceman to score over 20 goals in the regular season.[3] The following season, Gonchar broke the 50-point mark for the first time in his career. He also finished in fifth place in Norris Trophy voting as the NHL’s best defenceman.[4]
After 57- and 67-point (tied for a career high) seasons in 2000–01 and 2002–03 respectively, Gonchar was named to the second All-Star team both seasons.
Gonchar in action with Pittsburgh
On 3 March 2004, in his tenth season with the Capitals, Gonchar was traded to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Shaone Morrisonn and two draft picks. Finishing the season with Boston, he amassed 58 points, leading all NHL defencemen.[2] Between 2000 and 2004, Gonchar recorded more points than any other defenceman, with 74 goals and 241 points. [5]
During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Gonchar returned to Russia to play for Metallurg Magnitogorsk, where he played with future Pittsburgh Penguins teammates Petr Sýkora and Evgeni Malkin.[2] After the lockout, Gonchar signed a five-year, $25 million deal with the Penguins on 4 August 2005.[6] In 2006–07, his second season with Pittsburgh, Gonchar tied a career-high with 67 points. In addition to his on-ice duties for the Penguins, Gonchar housed rookie Evgeni Malkin when he first arrived from Russia in October 2006.[7]
The following season, Gonchar helped lead the Penguins, with offensive superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, to the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals, the franchise’s first finals appearance since 1992. After a 65-point regular season (the eighth 50-plus point season of his career), Gonchar added 14 points in 20 playoff games as the Penguins eventually lost in the finals to the Detroit Red Wings. Gonchar placed fourth in Norris Trophy voting, tying his best-ever placing for the league’s best defenceman.[citation needed]
During the first game of the 2008–09 pre-season, Gonchar was hit into the boards by David Kočí in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, dislocating his shoulder. It was reported that he would miss four to six months after opting for arthroscopic surgery.[8] While both Gonchar and defense partner Brooks Orpik claimed the hit was late, well after Gonchar had completed a pass, it was judged by Penguins’ head coach Michel Therrien to be a clean hit and that Kočí had simply “finished his check”.[9][10] With the Penguins struggling to make the playoffs, Gonchar returned to play his first game of the season on 14 February 2009, against the Toronto Maple Leafs after being sidelined for 21 weeks.[11] He played in the final 25 games of the regular season and tallied 19 points, helping the Penguins into the 2009 playoffs as the Eastern Conference’s fourth seed. However, playing in game four of the conference semi-finals against the Washington Capitals, Gonchar suffered a serious knee injury with a knee on knee hit by Alexander Ovechkin . Despite being initially expected to be out for several weeks and possibly the remainder of the playoffs,[12] Gonchar returned for game seven of the series.[13] Gonchar and the Penguins went on to win the Stanley Cup in seven games, facing the Detroit Red Wings for the second consecutive year. After winning, he revealed he had been playing with a partially torn medial collateral ligament (MCL).[14]
Gonchar was sidelined with injuries again for a total of 20 games in the 2009–10 season. Despite missing time, he went on to record his ninth 50-point season in the past 10 seasons, besting Nicklas Lidström‘s eight. He also had his 11th season with ten goals or more, tying Sergei Zubov for the most 10+ goal seasons among Russian defencemen. Gonchar finished the season third in points-per-game average among defencemen (behind Norris Trophy nominees Mike Green and Duncan Keith). He set an NHL record on 2 March 2010, by scoring his 200th NHL goal, making him the first Russian defenceman to ever do so.[citation needed]
From the 2000–01 season to the 2009–10 season, Gonchar tallied exactly 500 points, which was second among NHL defencemen only to Nicklas Lidström’s 550.[15] Gonchar was also second among NHL defencemen in assists during that span with 372 assists, behind Lidström’s 434. He led the League in goals by a defenceman during that span, with 128. Rob Blake was second with 119 goals, while Lidström had 116. Gonchar led the NHL in points-per-game average among NHL defencemen during that span, scoring at 0.80 points per game to Lidström’s 0.76 points per game. He also led the league in goals created per game among NHL defencemen with 0.27 to Al MacInnis‘s 0.26 and Lidström’s 0.25. In fact, since his first NHL season in 1995, only Lidström scored more points among defencemen — Lidström tallied 889 points in that time, while Gonchar had 684.[16]
On 1 July 2010, Gonchar signed a three-year, $16 million contract with the Ottawa Senators.[17] The deal included a no-trade clause. During the 2012–13 NHL lockout, Gonchar returned to his native Russia to play with the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)’s Metallurg Magnitogorsk. He was traded on 7 June 2013, to the Dallas Stars in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in 2013. On 8 June 2013, Gonchar signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Stars.[18] The following year, on 11 November 2014, Gonchar was again traded, this time to the Montreal Canadiens for left wingerTravis Moen.[19]
On 15 May 2015, it was announced by Canadiens’ GM Marc Bergevin, that Gonchar would not return to the Montreal Canadiens the next season.[20] Gonchar remained un-signed over the summer, and accepted an invitation to return to the Pittsburgh Penguins’ training camp on a try-out basis on 14 August 2015. At the conclusion of training camp and during the pre-season, Gonchar was released by the Penguins on 3 October 2015.
Gonchar and fellow Penguins assistant coach Jacques Martin celebrate winning the Stanley Cup in 2017
Gonchar signalled the end of his professional playing career in accepting a development coaching position within the Pittsburgh Penguins organization on 27 October 2015.[21] Gonchar aided the Penguins defensive unit in back to back Stanley Cup championships in 2016 and 2017, resulting in promotion to a full time assistant on July 12, 2017.[22]
On August 12, 2020, it was announced that Gonchar’s contract, along with those of fellow assistant coaches Mark Recchi and Jacques Martin, would not be renewed for the next season. The decision came following the team’s loss to the Montreal Canadiens in a best-of-five qualifying round for the 2019-2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs.[23]
On January 22, 2023, the Vancouver Canucks announced the hiring of Sergei Gonchar as a Defensive Development Coach. The decision came alongside the hiring of Rick Tocchet as Head Coach and Adam Foote as Assistant Coach. The Canucks released the following statement about Foote and Gonchar’s hiring, “We are also excited about the additions of Adam Foote and Sergei Gonchar to our coaching staff. Both individuals enjoyed long, successful playing careers as NHL defencemen and together provide a wide range of expertise on both sides of the puck. Tocchet, Foote, and Gonchar all bring a championship pedigree to the organization and we look forward to welcoming them to Vancouver.”[1]
Mathieu David Schneider (born June 12, 1969) is an American former professional ice hockey player. Considered an offensive defenseman, Schneider played 1,289 games in the National Hockey League with ten different teams, scoring 233 goals and totaling 743 points. He won the Stanley Cup in 1993 with the Montreal Canadiens.
Drafted in the third round of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, 44th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens, Schneider was the Canadiens’ fourth pick (after forwards Andrew Cassels and John LeClair, and fellow defenseman Éric Desjardins). He played his first NHL game a few months later when he suited up on 1987–88 opening night against the Philadelphia Flyers. However, after four games, he was sent back to his junior team (Cornwall Royals) for the rest of the season. He would spend the entirety of 1988–89 with Cornwall before splitting the next season between Montreal and their American Hockey Leaguefarm team, the Sherbrooke Canadiens. After being promoted to the Canadiens, he scored seven goals and 21 points in 44 games with Montreal. Schneider earned a full-time NHL roster spot in the 1990–91 season and, two years later, he won the 1993Stanley Cup with the Canadiens, defeating Wayne Gretzky and the Los Angeles Kings in five games. Following his Stanley Cup victory, Schneider broke out with 52 points in 1993–94, topping all team defensemen. During the 1994–95 season, Schneider was traded to the New York Islanders finishing the season with 29 points in 43 games between the two clubs. In 1995–96, he recorded 47 points in 65 games with the Islanders and appeared in his first NHL All-Star Game (1996), before being traded in March 1996 to the Toronto Maple Leafs (along with Toronto fan-favorite Wendel Clark) in exchange for three players and a first-round selection in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft (eventually Roberto Luongo).[4] He finished the year with 54 points in 78 games between the two clubs.
Prior to the 1996–97 season, Schneider was a member of the 1996World Cup champion Team USA squad. It was his high point for the season as he suffered a serious groin injury and was lost for the majority of the season, playing only 26 games.[4] He returned to the Leafs from his injury the following season and tallied 37 points in 76 games. He was a contract hold-out as a restricted free agent prior to the 1998–99 season, reportedly seeking a $3.3 million salary with the Maple Leafs. Consequently, a few games into the season, the Maple Leafs traded him to the New York Rangers where he then signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract. Born in Manhattan, Schneider stated his excitement to be playing for his hometown team.[5] In two seasons with the Rangers he accumulated 34, then 30 points.
Schneider was left unprotected in the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft and he was chosen by the Columbus Blue Jackets.[6] However, he was never signed by the Blue Jackets and, less than a month later, Schneider signed with the Los Angeles Kings.[7] In his first season with the Kings, Schneider tallied 51 points in 73 games, his highest total since his 52-point season with the Canadiens in 1993–94. As the Kings played into the second round of the 2001 playoffs, Schneider matched a career-high 9 points in 13 playoff games.
After appearing in his second All-Star Game in 2003, Schneider was dealt at the trade deadline to the Detroit Red Wings for two players and two draft picks. The Kings had shopped Schneider around as he was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. With the development of offensive-minded defensemen Joe Corvo and Lubomir Visnovsky, Schneider was considered replaceable by the Kings.[8] Although the Red Wings had traded for Schneider as a rental player to bolster their Stanley Cup run, they were upset in the first round by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Schneider finished the season with 16 goals and 50 points between the Kings and Red Wings.
Schneider during a game against Vancouver – October 6, 2006
Schneider was re-signed by Detroit in the off-season to a two-year deal[9] and he eventually played another three seasons with the Red Wings that included a career-high 21 goals and 59 points in 2005–06. He played his 1,000th NHL game against the Anaheim Ducks on October 21 of that same season and scored his 200th NHL goal on March 6, 2007, against the Nashville Predators.[10]
Following the 2006–07 season, Schneider became an unrestricted free agent and he signed a two-year, $11.25 million deal with the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks had pursued Schneider in lieu of Norris Trophy-winner and team captainScott Niedermayer‘s expected retirement (although Niedermayer returned to the Ducks later in the season).[11][12] By signing with the Ducks, he missed a chance for another Stanley Cup, arriving in Anaheim the same year that Detroit won the 2008 Stanley Cup championship and a year after the Ducks’ 2007 Stanley Cup victory. Schneider did not debut with the Ducks until a couple months into the season, as he sustained a broken ankle in a pre-season game against the Los Angeles Kings.[13] In his only season with the Ducks, he tallied 39 points in 65 games, second among Ducks’ defensemen.[14]
As the 2008–09 season approached, the Ducks looked to free up cap space in order to re-sign Teemu Selänne. With All-Star defensemen Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer ahead of him on the depth chart, Schneider was placed on waivers, but cleared.[15] The Ducks instead traded him to the Atlanta Thrashers on September 26, 2008, in exchange for three players.[16] However, Schneider did not remain with the Thrashers for the whole season. He was traded back to the Montreal Canadiens in February 2009 for two draft choices.
On August 28, 2009, the Vancouver Canucks signed Schneider to a one-year, $1.55 million contract. The deal included a $1 million signing bonus (making his base salary $550,000), dispersed throughout the season over four equal payments.[17] After having undergone off-season shoulder surgery, Schneider missed the first 10 games of the 2009–10 season and made his Canucks debut on October 25 in a 2–0 win against the Edmonton Oilers.[18] He was playing primarily as a depth defenseman and on December 20, he left the team due to a reported dispute about his playing time. Following his debut for the Canucks, he was a healthy scratch 11 times in 28 games. The Canucks explained his absence as a “personal matter”, while general manager Mike Gillis reportedly tried to trade Schneider.[19]
On December 29, 2009, Schneider was waived by the Vancouver Canucks.[20] After clearing waivers, he reported to the Canucks’ AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose on January 2, 2010.[21] On March 3, 2010, Schneider was traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the Phoenix Coyotes for Sean Zimmerman and a sixth-round draft pick. At the end of 2010, Schneider officially ended his career as a player.[22]
Schneider appeared as a member of the Red Wings alumni team on December 31, 2013 at Comerica Park against members of the Toronto Maple Leafs alumni.
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