Ryane Clowe
Born	(1982-09-30) September 30, 1982 (age 29) Fermeuse, NL, CAN
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight	225 lb (102 kg; 16 st 1 lb)
Position	Left Wing
Shoots	Left
NHL team	San Jose Sharks
NHL Draft	175th overall, 2001 San Jose Sharks
Playing career	2003–present

Ryane Clowe (born September 30, 1982) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He serves as an alternate captain for the Sharks during away games.

Playing career[link]

Clowe played three seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Rimouski Océanic and the Montreal Rocket, beginning in 2000–01. After recording 25 points in 32 games with the Océanic during his rookie campaign, he was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the 6th round, 175th overall, in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Clowe played two full seasons with the Cleveland Barons, San Jose's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, and was named team MVP in 2004–05,^[1] before splitting time between the Barons and the Sharks in 2005–06. Clowe appeared in 18 games with the Sharks in 2005–06 and was signed to a three-year deal in the off-season worth US$1.625 million. The contract was a two-way deal for two of the first three years.^{[citation needed]}

About half way through the first season of the contract, in 2006–07, Clowe was given an opportunity to play on the first line and powerplay unit with Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton and responded with a career high 34 points in 58 games. Clowe scored his first career NHL hat-trick on January 6, 2007, in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.^[2] In the post-season, he scored his first playoff goal on April 13 in the quarter-final series against the Nashville Predators. Securing his roster spot on the Sharks, he became known for his hard checking game and willingness to fight when needed.

He played 11 games for the Sharks in 2007–08, then went on injured reserve on October 28, 2007 with torn knee ligaments. Clowe returned to the lineup on March 30, 2008, in time for the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs, where he posted 9 points in 13 games, which was second best on the team behind Joe Thornton. On July 6, 2009, the Sharks re-signed Clowe to a four-year contract paying Clowe US$3.5 million the first three years and $4 million the final year.^[3]

On Bench Incident[link]

Ryane Clowe illegally used his stick while being on the bench during the San Jose Sharks' 6-5 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on April 5, 2012.

Kings forward Jarret Stoll made a rush up ice late in the third period, Clowe reached over the boards with his stick with an attempt to swipe at the puck.

Though three Kings players held their arms out in protest, neither referee saw the play.

Ryan Clowe appeared to be dumbfounded when the media approached him. "I have no idea what you guys are talking about," Clowe said. "I'll have to see the video or something. Someone show me the video."

Career statistics[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Ryane Clowe's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
• Ryane Clowe on Twitter

Zack Kassian
Born	(1991-01-24) January 24, 1991 (age 21) Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight	214 lb (97 kg; 15 st 4 lb)
Position	Right Wing
Shoots	Right
NHL team Former teams	Vancouver Canucks Buffalo Sabres
NHL Draft	13th overall, 2009 Buffalo Sabres
Playing career	2011–present

Zack Adam Kassian (born January 24, 1991) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected 13th overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, he began his career within the Buffalo Sabres organization before being traded to the Canucks in 2012, his first year in the NHL. During his junior career, he won a Memorial Cup with the Windsor Spitfires in 2010. Internationally, he competed with Canada's under-20 team at the 2011 World Junior Championships and won a silver medal. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 214 pounds, Kassian plays in the style of a power forward and is known for playing with aggression and physicality.

Early life[link]

Kassian was born in Windsor, Ontario, to parents Mike and Shirley Kassian. He has two older sisters and an older brother, Mike Jr. When he was eight, his father died. Kassian has recalled his father's role as having been filled by Mike Jr., who was nineteen at the time, while he grew up.^[1][2] He first began playing organized hockey at the age of eight with the Kingsville Kings. Growing up, he was a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, though he has listed his favourite players as Boston Bruins defenceman Bobby Orr and Todd Bertuzzi, a fellow power forward who was starring with the Vancouver Canucks during Kassian's youth.^[3]

Playing career[link]

Junior[link]

After a season of AAA midget with the Windsor Jr. Spitfires,^[4] Kassian debuted at the major junior level with the Peterborough Petes in 2007–08. Playing in his first career OHL game, he recorded two assists against the Sudbury Wolves on September 20, 2007.^[5] He scored his first OHL goal the following month against the Erie Otters on October 11.^[5] He went on to score 9 goals and 21 points over 58 games as a rookie. The following season, he improved to 24 goals and 63 points over 61 games. He also had a team-leading 136 penalty minutes and earned a reputation as a willing fighter with 13 fighting majors. That season, he was chosen to play in three All-Star exhibitions. Near the beginning of the campaign, he represented Team OHL in two games against a select team of Russian juniors, as part of the annual Subway Super Series. Kassian later dressed for the Eastern Conference in the OHL All-Star Classic and scored a goal and an assist.^[3] Lastly, he competed in the 2009 CHL Top Prospects Game for Team Cherry, a contest in which he injured John Tavares with a hit.^[6]

Leading up to the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Kassian was ranked 10th among eligible prospects playing in North America (not including goaltenders) by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau (CSB). Chris Edwards of the CSB heralded him as "one of the toughest guys in the OHL and probably the entire draft", while also highlighting his "play-making and puck-handling abilities".^[3] Scouted as a power forward, he was compared to such players as Milan Lucic, as well as retired NHL All-Stars Cam Neely and Keith Tkachuk.^{[citation needed]} Kassian went on to be selected in the first round, 13th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the draft.

Kassian with the Spitfires in April 2010

Kassian went on to attend his first NHL training camp in September 2009 and was returned to Peterborough to continue at the junior level.^[7] Back with the Petes, Kassian was chosen to replace the departed Zach Harnden as team captain after Harnden starting playing with the Kingston Frontenacs.^[8] Thirty-three games into his 2009–10 OHL season, Kassian was traded to the Windsor Spitfires. Prior to the trade, Kassian had been suspended one game by his team for breaking curfew.^[9] Shortly after joining Windsor, he was given a 20-game suspension from the league for his hit to the head of Barrie Colts forward Matt Kennedy during a game in January 2010.^[10] Limited to 38 games between Peterborough and Windsor due to the ban, Kassian totalled 12 goals and 31 points. Returning from the suspension in time for the 2010 playoffs, he added 7 goals and 16 points over 19 games to help Windsor to a J. Ross Robertson Cup as OHL champions. The win qualified Windsor for the 2010 Memorial Cup, Canada's national major junior championship, which they won as well. Defeating the Brandon Wheat Kings in the final 9–1, Kassian had a goal and an assist in the championship-winning game.^[11]

Following the Memorial Cup win, Kassian was arrested after an altercation at a bar in Downtown Windsor on May 30, 2010. Charged with assault, he reached an agreement several months later, in October 2010. The charge was dropped in exchange for 25 hours of community service, a $500 donation to charity and payment for the victim's dental work.^[12] Had he been convicted, Kassian would have been ineligible to cross the border into the United States,^{[notes 1]} which would have conflicted with his hockey career.^[9]

Kassian returned to the Sabres' training camp in September 2010. While he was sent back to junior for the second straight year, he remained on the team's pre-season roster as one of the final cuts in October.^[7] A month after being returned to Windsor, he signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sabres on November 2, 2010.^[7] Playing his first full season with Windsor, Kassian recorded a junior career-high 26 goals and 77 points over 56 games. His points total ranked second in team-scoring, behind captain Ryan Ellis' 100. He then added 16 points (6 goals and 10 assists) over 16 OHL playoff games, tying for fifth in team scoring.^[13] During Game 4 of the Conference Finals against the Owen Sound Attack, Kassian received a match penalty for a hit on opposing defenceman Jesse Blacker, which was ruled as "intent to injure". Following the contest, the penalty was supplemented with an additional three-game suspension, sidelining him for the remainder of the series.^[14] Out of the lineup for Game 5, he only needed to serve half of the total suspension as the Attack eliminated the Spitfires four-games-to-one.

National Hockey League[link]

Buffalo Sabres[link]

With his junior season over, Kassian was assigned by the Sabres to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Portland Pirates, for their Calder Cup playoffs on April 29, 2011. The following night, he made his AHL debut in Game 3 of the Atlantic Division Finals against the Binghamton Senators.^[5] Appearing in his first three professional-level games, he recorded nine shots on goal without any points,^[7] as Portland was eliminated in six games.

Kassian with the Buffalo Sabres in 2012

Though eligible for a fifth season of junior as a potential overager,^{[notes 2]} Kassian turned professional with the Sabres organization for the 2011–12 season. He was initially assigned to the Sabres' new minor league affiliate, the Rochester Americans, out of training camp and began the season in the AHL. On November 24, 2011, Kassian was recalled by Buffalo.^[7] Making his NHL debut the following night against the Columbus Blue Jackets, he recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a Jordan Leopold goal. Playing on back-to-back nights, Kassian then scored his first NHL goal the following game against goaltender Tomas Vokoun in a home game against the Washington Capitals.^[15] Kassian remained with the Sabres for a month-and-a-half in his initial NHL stint before being re-assigned to Rochester.^[7] Later in the season, he earned two more call-ups in January and February 2012, respectively.^[7]

Vancouver Canucks[link]

During his third call-up, minutes before the NHL trade deadline on February 27, 2012, Kassian was dealt, along with defenceman Marc-Andre Gragnani, to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for fellow rookie forward Cody Hodgson and defenceman Alexander Sulzer. Canucks general manager acknowledged the trade as an effort to balance his team out by giving up Hodgson's skill and finesse in return for Kassian's size and toughness.^[16] Analysts from The Sports Network and The Vancouver Sun also echoed the sentiment, commenting that while the Canucks gained elements in Kassian that were required to succeed in the playoffs, Hodgson's skill set reflected the style of play that Vancouver's success was based upon.^[17] In a telephone interview with The Sports Network shortly after the trade, Kassian told reporters he was surprised at the trade, but was excited to play for a Stanley Cup-contending team.^[18] The reaction in the Vancouver media was largely of surprise that Gillis would trade away a well-performing rookie for one that was unproven at the NHL level. The Vancouver Sun columnist Iain MacIntyre declared it "a stunner" and "one of the most unpopular trades in Vancouver in years."^[19] Another Sun article likened the deal to a lopsided 1996 trade between the Canucks and Pittsburgh Penguins in which two first-round prospects of opposite playing styles – the skilled Markus Naslund and the larger, more aggressive Alek Stojanov – were exchanged.^{[notes 3]} Kassian made his Canucks debut the night after the trade, registering a shot on goal and 12 minutes and 27 seconds of ice time in a 2–1 shootout loss to the Phoenix Coyotes.^[21] Kassian scored a goal and an assist, his first of each with the Canucks, in a game against the Sabres on March 3, his third game with the Canucks.^[22] The following game against the Dallas Stars, Kassian was called to take a penalty shot 24 seconds after the opening faceoff,^[23] making it the second-fastest penalty shot to be called in NHL history (after Maurice Richard took a penalty shot 12 seconds into a game against the Chicago Blackhawks). He missed against goaltender Richard Bachman while attempting a backhand deke.^[2]

International play[link]

Medal record
Ice hockey
Competitor for Canada
World Junior Championships
Silver	2011 Buffalo
Competitor for Ontario
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
Gold	2008 London

Kassian debuted internationally with Hockey Canada at the 2008 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, competing for Team Ontario. He recorded two goals and six points over six games as Ontario won the gold medal. The following year, he moved on to the under-18 level with Canada at the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships. With two goals and five points over six games, he helped Canada to a fourth-place finish. Two years later, Kassian joined Canada's under-20 team for the 2011 World Junior Championships in Buffalo, New York. During the tournament, he received a two-game suspension for a hit against Czech defenceman Petr Senkerik, making contact with Senkerik's chin with his shoulder.^[24] Kassian returned for the medal round and helped Canada to the gold medal game, where they lost 5-3 to Russia. He finished the tournament with two goals and an assist over five games.

Career statistics[link]

Regular season and playoffs[link]

International[link]

Notes[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Zack Kassian

• Zack Kassian's NHL player profile
• Zack Kassian's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
• Zack Kassian's career stats at Eliteprospects.com

Matt Beleskey
Born	(1988-06-07) June 7, 1988 (age 24) Windsor, ON, CAN
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight	204 lb (93 kg; 14 st 8 lb)
Position	Left Wing
Shoots	Left
NHL team	Anaheim Ducks
NHL Draft	112th overall, 2006 Anaheim Ducks
Playing career	2008–present

Matthew Beleskey (born June 7, 1988) is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger with the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career[link]

Beleskey grew up in the small town of Midhurst, Ontario and played his minor hockey for the Barrie Icemen AAA program of the OMHA's Eastern AAA League. After his Bantam season with the Icemen, Beleskey played one season with the nearby Collingwood Blues Jr.A. club of the OHA.

He was drafted in the 2nd round (21st overall) in the 2004 OHL Priority Selection by the Belleville Bulls.

He was selected by the Ducks 112th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and turned professional in 2008 after a four year junior career with the Belleville Bulls of the Ontario Hockey League. He made his NHL debut in 2008–09, appearing in two games with the Ducks but spent most of the season in the American Hockey League with the Iowa Chops.^[1]

Career statistics[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Matt Beleskey's NHL player profile
• Matt Beleskey's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database

This biographical article relating to a Canadian ice hockey winger born in the 1980s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Christopher Tanev
Born	(1989-12-20) December 20, 1989 (age 22) East York, ON, CAN
Height	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight	190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Right
NHL team (P) Cur. team	Vancouver Canucks Chicago Wolves (AHL)
NHL Draft	Undrafted
Playing career	2010–present

Christopher "Chris" Tanev (born December 20, 1989) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL). Unselected in the NHL Entry Draft, he was signed by the Canucks as a free agent after his freshman year with the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers. In his only college season, he was named Atlantic Hockey's Rookie of the Year, in addition to receiving All-Tournament and Third All-Star Team honours, while helping the Tigers to a conference championship. Prior to college, he played three seasons in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League (OPJHL).

Early life[link]

Tanev was born in East York, Ontario, to Sophie Meredith and Mike Tanev. He has two brothers, Brandon and Kyle.^[1] Playing minor hockey within the Greater Toronto Hockey League, he competed with the Toronto Red Wings.^[2] After being cut from seven midget-level teams at age 16 due to a lack of size (he was less than five feet and roughly 120 pounds at the time),^[2] Tanev resorted to playing for his high school's team and took up roller hockey in the summer.^[3] After graduating from high school at the East York Collegiate Institute, he enrolled in the Rochester Institute of Technology as a finance major while playing college hockey.^[1]

Playing career[link]

Junior and college[link]

Tanev played in the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League (OPJHL) for three seasons. Starting off with the Durham Fury in 2006–07, he recorded no goals and nine assists over 40 games. He split the following season between Durham, the Stouffville Spirit and the Markham Waxers, combining for 17 points (2 goals and 15 assists) over 49 games between the three teams. Playing the 2008–09 campaign with Markham, he led all team defencemen in scoring with 41 points in 50 games, while serving as an alternate captain; he was named the team's top defenceman at the end of the season.^[1]

In 2009–10, he joined the NCAA Division I ranks with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Tigers of the Atlantic Hockey Conference. Placed on the team's top defensive pairing with team captain Dan Ringwald,^[3] he recorded 10 goals and 28 points over 41 games, while leading his team with a +33 plus-minus rating. After being named Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Week on three occasions during the season, he received Rookie of the Year honours and was named to the conference's All-Rookie and Third All-Star Teams.^[4] In the 2010 playoffs, Tanev helped the Tigers to a conference championship, defeating the Sacred Heart Pioneers in the final. He was named to the All-Tournament Team. Advancing to the NCAA tournament, RIT was eliminated in the national semifinal by the Wisconsin Badgers. Tigers head coach Wayne Wilson described him during his freshman year as a "late bloomer", having grown six inches in his final year of junior, while praising his offensive skills.^[1]

Vancouver Canucks[link]

During the NCAA tournament, Tanev was scouted by Vancouver Canucks director of player development Dave Gagner, who was previously acquainted with Tanev as his childhood roller hockey coach. The Canucks scouting staff collectively identified him as "the smartest player on the ice" in the East Regional segment of the tournament.^[3] On May 31, 2010, Tanev signed as an undrafted free agent with the Canucks, foregoing his final three years of college hockey eligibility.^[5] He had received interest from at least three other teams, including the San Jose Sharks, Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets, but ultimately chose Vancouver.^[2]

Beginning the 2010–11 season with the Canucks' minor league affiliate, the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL), he scored his first professional goal against the Rochester Americans on November 13, 2010.^[4] He received his first call-up to Vancouver on January 16, 2011,^[6] after injuries to Canucks defencemen Andrew Alberts and Aaron Rome.^[7] Making his Canucks debut two days later against the Colorado Avalanche,^[8] he became the first RIT alumnus to play in the NHL.^[4] He later recorded his first NHL point on January 24, a second assist on a Dan Hamhuis powerplay goal, the final Canucks tally in a 7–1 win against the Dallas Stars.^[9] He remained with the NHL team for an extended period as Canucks defencemen continued to suffer injuries.

Tanev playing for the Chicago Wolves

On March 31, 2011, Tanev had to be helped off the ice during a game against the Los Angeles Kings after opposing forward Kyle Clifford pushed him head-first into the end-boards.^[10] While recovering from the upper-body injury, he was returned to the Moose on April 7, as several regular defencemen returned to the Canucks lineup from injury at that time.^[11] Averaging 13 minutes of ice time per game over 29 NHL contests with one assist, Tanev was commended by Canucks head coach Alain Vigneault for being "very dependable...making the high-percentage plays." Vigneault also added that he had a good chance of playing with the Canucks "on a regular basis down the road."^[12] Completing the 2010–11 regular season with the Moose, he finished with 1 goal and 8 assists over 39 AHL games. Tanev added a goal and 2 assists in 14 playoff games as the Moose were defeated in the second round. Following Manitoba's elimination, he was called up to the Canucks for their playoff run as a reserve.^[13] In the Canucks' Game 3 contest against the San Jose Sharks in the third round, defencemen Christian Ehrhoff and Aaron Rome were both injured. Tanev was inserted into the lineup for the following game and made his NHL playoff debut on May 22, 2011.^[14] As the Canucks moved on to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Boston Bruins, Ehrhoff and Rome returned to action, temporarily sending Tanev back to the sidelines. Following injuries to Dan Hamhuis and Rome's suspension, Tanev played in the final three contests of the series, which the Canucks lost in seven games.^[15]

Following his professional rookie season, Tanev trained in the off-season particularly to increase his strength. Entering the Canucks' training camp with an added 10 pounds,^[16] he made the Canucks' opening lineup for the 2011–12 season. After dressing for three of the team's first five games, he was re-assigned to the Chicago Wolves, Vancouver's new AHL affiliate (the Moose were relocated to St. John's, Newfoundland, after the Winnipeg Jets returned to the NHL). Vigneault explained that the organization wanted Tanev receiving more ice time than he could receive in Vancouver while competing for the "No. 5 to No. 8 spots on [the] team."^[17] In his first game with the Wolves, he injured an oblique muscle after receiving a hit and was sidelined for a month. After returning, he formed a top defensive pairing on the team with Kevin Connauton.^[18] In late-January 2012, he was called up by the Canucks for one game.^[19] The Canucks called Tanev up again on February 16, 2012.^[20]

Playing style[link]

Tanev is a defenceman lauded for his "hockey sense" and puck-moving ability.^[21] Upon being scouted out of college by Canucks personnel, his style of play was compared to offensive defenceman Christian Ehrhoff.^[2] An unagressive player, Tanev relies primarily on his positioning to check players. Following his performance in Game 5 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals, teammate Kevin Bieksa also highlighted his calm on-ice demeanor, quipping that "he could have played with a cigarette in his mouth."^[22]

Career statistics[link]