- Brian Rolston
Infobox Ice Hockey Player
image_size = 270px
team =New Jersey Devils
former_teams =Minnesota Wild Boston Bruins Colorado Avalanche
league = NHL
position = Left Wing
shoots = Left
height_ft = 6
height_in = 2
weight_lb = 214
nickname = Rolly
nationality = USA
birth_date = birth date and age|1973|02|21
birth_place = Flint, MI, U.S.
draft = 11th Overall
draft_year = 1991
draft_team =New Jersey Devils
career_start = 1993Brian Rolston (born
February 21 ,1973 in Flint,Michigan ) is a professionalice hockey player for theNew Jersey Devils of theNational Hockey League .Playing career
Rolston is considered a utility forward, as he can play as a centre, left wing and right wing competently. The 6'2', 214 pound lefty is best known for his highly regarded two-way ability.
Rolston was drafted in the
1991 NHL Entry Draft by theNew Jersey Devils as their first overall pick. He has played for theNew Jersey Devils , theColorado Avalanche and then was traded to theBoston Bruins . He scored a then career high 62 points, including an impressive 9 shorthanded goals in 2001-02 with the Bruins. Within his career he has scored a total of 33 shorthanded goals.Brian Rolston signed with the
Minnesota Wild as an unrestricted free agent onJuly 8 ,2004 , though his debut with the Wild didn't take place until the 2005–06 season due to the2004–05 NHL lockout . Rolston often quarterbacked the Minnesota Wild'spowerplay (a task normally given to a defenceman) due to his booming shot from the point and strong two-way ability. During the season, he was an on-ice leader and was one of the Minnesota Wild's top scorers, scoring a new career high of 79 points. He was named as team captain for theMinnesota Wild for February, October, November 2006 and January 2007. During 2006–07, Rolston scored three goals (one on a penalty shot and two in overtime shootouts), using aslapshot from the slot.He won a
Stanley Cup Championship with theNew Jersey Devils in 1995, and theWorld Cup of Hockey in 1996 playing for TeamUSA . In theSalt Lake City Olympics of 2002, he won theSilver Medal playing for theUnited States men's hockey team.Prior to his NHL career, Rolston played for
Lake Superior State University (where as a freshman he scored the game winning goal and earned Most Outstanding Player honors in the National Championship game, which his team won), then theAlbany River Rats of the AHL.Rolston has represented the
United States of America three times in Olympic competition forIce Hockey .Rolston was selected for the 2006–07 NHL Western Conference All-Star Team. During the game Rolston scored 2 goals and added 2 assists.
On
June 29 2008 , Rolston's negotiating rights were traded to theTampa Bay Lightning in return for a conditional draft pick in 2009 or 2010. [ [http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=242048&lid=sublink02&lpos=headlines_main Wild trade forward Rolston's rights to Lightning ] ]On
July 1 ,2008 , New Jersey signed Rolston to a four year deal worth $20 million.Brian has three sons, Ryder Scott, Brody and Stone.
Awards & Achievements
*1991–92: National Championship All-Tournament (NCAA)
*1992–93: First All-Star Team (CCHA)
*1994–95: Winner ofNHL Stanley Cup withNew Jersey Devils
*1995–96: Winner of InternationalWorld Cup of Hockey
*1992–93: West Second All-American Team (NCAA)
*1992–93: Winner ofTampere Cup
*2001–02:Silver Medal in2002 XIX Olympic Winter Games
*2006–07: Western Conference All-Star Team (National Hockey League )Career statistics
"Stats as of
May 1 ,2008 ."International Play
*1994 - Played for the United States in the XVII Olympic Winter Games
*1996 - Played for the United States in the1996 World Cup of Hockey
*2002 - Played for the United States in the XIX Olympic Winter Games
*2004 - Played for the United States in the2004 World Cup of Hockey
*2006 - Played for the United States in the XX Olympic Winter GamesReferences
External links
*hockeydb|4643
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