Andrew Brunette
Encyclopedia
Andrew Brunette is a Canadian
professional ice hockey
left winger for the Chicago Blackhawks
of the National Hockey League
(NHL).
After a solid Midget season in 1989-90, Brunette was selected in the 7th round of the 1990 OHL Priority Selection by the Owen Sound Platers. He was an OHL teammate of future NHLers Kirk Maltby, Scott Walker, Kevin Weekes and Jamie Storr.
Brunette debuted in the Ontario Hockey League
(OHL) playing for the Owen Sound Platers
for three seasons between 1990 and 1993 and scored 233 points in 195 games, winning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy
, the scoring title, in 1993. He was drafted by the Washington Capitals
in the seventh round, 174th overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
.
After being drafted, he played for the Hampton Roads Admirals
in the ECHL
, before moving to the American Hockey League
(AHL), where he played for two more teams that season: Providence Bruins
and Portland Pirates
. Brunette stayed with the Pirates until 1998
, but was called up by the Capitals for the first time in the 1995–96 NHL season and played 11 games. He played 23 and 28 games in the following NHL seasons and left the AHL definitively when he was selected in the 1998 NHL Expansion Draft
by new franchise Nashville Predators
.
Brunette scored the Predators first goal in a 3–2 win vs. the Carolina Hurricanes
. After playing the 1998–99 season for the Predators, he moved to the newly created Atlanta Thrashers
and played two seasons there, moving to the Minnesota Wild
in the 2001–02 NHL season. He scored the final goal on Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy
of the Colorado Avalanche
in overtime of game 7 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals on April 22, 2003. Brunette stayed with the Wild until 2004 and signed as a free agent for the Colorado Avalanche after the 2004–05 lockout. He scored the series-clinching goal for the Colorado Avalanche on April 30, 2006, against the Dallas Stars
in game 5 of the 2006 Western Conference Quarterfinals. 2006–07 was his best individual season: he averaged over a point per game for his first time in the NHL, playing on a line with superstar centre
Joe Sakic
.
Andrew Brunette scored his 500th NHL career point on October 26, 2007 against the Calgary Flames
.
Brunette signed a 3-year, $7-million deal with the Minnesota Wild
on July 1, 2008. This marks his second stint with the Wild (2001–02 to 2003–04).
Brunette is highly regarded for his physical durability and consistency, qualities which lead him to play in 509 consecutive games without having to sit out due to injury. On December 31, 2001 he missed a game due to a shoulder contusion, however after that he proceeded to play in every single game until February 21, 2009, when a lower body injury forced him to sit out of a game between his Minnesota Wild
and the Detroit Red Wings
. Brunette was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his right knee but insisted on playing out the 2008–09
season, before having surgery in the offseason.
He signed a one-year contract worth $2 million with the Chicago Blackhawks
on July 1, 2011.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
left winger for the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL).
Playing career
Brunette grew up in the small community of Valley East, Ontario just outside of Sudbury. He played much of his minor hockey career with the Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats of the NOHA.After a solid Midget season in 1989-90, Brunette was selected in the 7th round of the 1990 OHL Priority Selection by the Owen Sound Platers. He was an OHL teammate of future NHLers Kirk Maltby, Scott Walker, Kevin Weekes and Jamie Storr.
Brunette debuted in the Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
(OHL) playing for the Owen Sound Platers
Owen Sound Platers
Owen Sound Platers was a name used for a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1989 to 2000, in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. In 2000, after the team was sold, new ownership renamed the team the Owen Sound Attack.-History:...
for three seasons between 1990 and 1993 and scored 233 points in 195 games, winning the Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy
Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy
The Eddie Powers Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the top scorer in the Ontario Hockey League. The trophy was donated by the Toronto Marlboro Athletic Club in memory of Edward Powers, and was first awarded to Tod Sloan of St...
, the scoring title, in 1993. He was drafted by the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
in the seventh round, 174th overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
.
After being drafted, he played for the Hampton Roads Admirals
Hampton Roads Admirals
The Hampton Roads Admirals were an American professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They played in Norfolk, Virginia at the Norfolk Scope Arena....
in the ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
, before moving to the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL), where he played for two more teams that season: Providence Bruins
Providence Bruins
The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:...
and Portland Pirates
Portland Pirates
The Portland Pirates is a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. They play in the Cumberland County Civic Center in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the...
. Brunette stayed with the Pirates until 1998
1997–98 AHL season
The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western...
, but was called up by the Capitals for the first time in the 1995–96 NHL season and played 11 games. He played 23 and 28 games in the following NHL seasons and left the AHL definitively when he was selected in the 1998 NHL Expansion Draft
1998 NHL Expansion Draft
The 1998 NHL Expansion Draft was held in on June 26, 1998. The draft took place to fill the roster of the league's expansion team for the 1998–99 season, the Nashville Predators.-Rules:...
by new franchise Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
Brunette scored the Predators first goal in a 3–2 win vs. the Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
. After playing the 1998–99 season for the Predators, he moved to the newly created Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
and played two seasons there, moving to the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
in the 2001–02 NHL season. He scored the final goal on Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy
Patrick Roy
Patrick Edward Armand Roy is a former Canadian ice hockey goaltender. Nicknamed "Saint Patrick," Roy split his professional career between the Montreal Canadiens, whom he played with for 10 years, and the Colorado Avalanche, whom he played with for 8 years, both of the National Hockey League...
of the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
in overtime of game 7 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals on April 22, 2003. Brunette stayed with the Wild until 2004 and signed as a free agent for the Colorado Avalanche after the 2004–05 lockout. He scored the series-clinching goal for the Colorado Avalanche on April 30, 2006, against the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
in game 5 of the 2006 Western Conference Quarterfinals. 2006–07 was his best individual season: he averaged over a point per game for his first time in the NHL, playing on a line with superstar centre
Centre (ice hockey)
The centre in ice hockey is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play is the middle of the ice, away from the side boards. Centres have more flexibility in their positioning and are expected to cover more ice surface than any other player...
Joe Sakic
Joe Sakic
Joseph Steven "Joe" Sakic is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player and current hockey executive. He played his entire National Hockey League career with the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise. In his 20-year tenure, Sakic won the Stanley Cup twice, captured numerous NHL...
.
Andrew Brunette scored his 500th NHL career point on October 26, 2007 against the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
.
Brunette signed a 3-year, $7-million deal with the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
on July 1, 2008. This marks his second stint with the Wild (2001–02 to 2003–04).
Brunette is highly regarded for his physical durability and consistency, qualities which lead him to play in 509 consecutive games without having to sit out due to injury. On December 31, 2001 he missed a game due to a shoulder contusion, however after that he proceeded to play in every single game until February 21, 2009, when a lower body injury forced him to sit out of a game between his Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
and the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
. Brunette was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his right knee but insisted on playing out the 2008–09
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
season, before having surgery in the offseason.
He signed a one-year contract worth $2 million with the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
on July 1, 2011.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1989–90 | Rayside-Balfour Canadians | NOJHL Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under the supervision of the Canadian Junior Hockey League, the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, and Hockey Canada. The winner of the NOJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup with the winners of the Ontario... |
4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Rayside-Balfour Sabrecats | NOHA Northern Ontario Hockey Association The Northern Ontario Hockey Association is minor and junior level ice hockey governing body. The NOHA is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Federation and Hockey Canada. The major league run by the NOHA is the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League of the Canadian Junior A Hockey League... |
32 | 38 | 65 | 103 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Owen Sound Platers Owen Sound Platers Owen Sound Platers was a name used for a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1989 to 2000, in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. In 2000, after the team was sold, new ownership renamed the team the Owen Sound Attack.-History:... |
OHL Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... |
63 | 15 | 20 | 35 | 15 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Owen Sound Platers | OHL | 66 | 51 | 47 | 98 | 42 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 8 | ||
| 1992–93 | Owen Sound Platers | OHL | 66 | 62 | 100 | 162 | 91 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 16 | ||
| 1993–94 1993–94 ECHL season The 1993-94 ECHL season was the sixth season of the ECHL. In 1993, the league saw the Roanoke Valley Rampage move to Huntsville, AL becoming the Huntsville Blast, as well as an expansion to three new markets: Charlotte, NC, North Charleston, SC, and Huntington, WV and returned to the Roanoke... |
Hampton Roads Admirals Hampton Roads Admirals The Hampton Roads Admirals were an American professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They played in Norfolk, Virginia at the Norfolk Scope Arena.... |
ECHL | 20 | 12 | 18 | 30 | 32 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 18 | ||
| 1993–94 1993–94 AHL season The 1993–94 AHL season was the 58th season of the American Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The St. John's Maple Leafs finished first overall in the regular season... |
Providence Bruins Providence Bruins The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Portland Pirates Portland Pirates The Portland Pirates is a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. They play in the Cumberland County Civic Center in downtown Portland, Maine. The franchise was previously known as the... |
AHL | 23 | 9 | 11 | 20 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 1994–95 1994–95 AHL season The 1994–95 AHL season was the 59th season of the American Hockey League. The All-Star Game is revived, with All-Stars grouped into "Team Canada" and "Team USA." Sixteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule... |
Portland Pirates | AHL | 79 | 30 | 50 | 80 | 53 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 | ||
| 1995–96 1995–96 AHL season The 1995–96 AHL season was the 60th season of the American Hockey League. The AHL expands by two teams and realigns into two conferences, and four divisions. The Northern Conference includes the North and Atlantic Divisions... |
Portland Pirates | AHL | 69 | 28 | 66 | 94 | 125 | 20 | 11 | 18 | 29 | 15 | ||
| 1995–96 | Washington Capitals Washington Capitals The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
11 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 1996–97 1996–97 AHL season The 1996–97 AHL season was the 61st season of the American Hockey League. The league renames its divisions due to relocating teams. The Northern Conferences consists of the Atlantic Division becoming the Canadian Division, and the Central Division becoming the Empire State Division... |
Portland Pirates | AHL | 50 | 22 | 51 | 73 | 48 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 1996–97 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 23 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 1997–98 AHL season The 1997–98 AHL season was the 62nd season of the American Hockey League. The AHL shifts teams in their divisions, and the Canadian division reverts to being named Atlantic division. The Northern conference is renamed the Eastern conference, and the Southern conference renamed the Western... |
Portland Pirates | AHL | 43 | 21 | 46 | 67 | 64 | 10 | 1 | 11 | 12 | 12 | ||
| 1997–98 | Washington Capitals | NHL | 28 | 11 | 12 | 23 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Nashville Predators Nashville Predators The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 77 | 11 | 20 | 31 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Atlanta Thrashers Atlanta Thrashers The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season... |
NHL | 81 | 23 | 27 | 50 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Atlanta Thrashers | NHL | 77 | 15 | 44 | 59 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Minnesota Wild Minnesota Wild The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... |
NHL | 81 | 21 | 48 | 69 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 82 | 18 | 28 | 46 | 20 | 18 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 4 | ||
| 2003–04 | Minnesota Wild | NHL | 82 | 15 | 34 | 49 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Colorado Avalanche Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise... |
NHL | 82 | 24 | 39 | 63 | 48 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 8 | ||
| 2006–07 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 82 | 27 | 56 | 83 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Colorado Avalanche | NHL | 82 | 19 | 40 | 59 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 2 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Minnesota Wild | NHL | 80 | 22 | 28 | 50 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Minnesota Wild | NHL | 82 | 25 | 36 | 61 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
Minnesota Wild | NHL | 82 | 18 | 28 | 46 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 1032 | 256 | 450 | 706 | 310 | 43 | 16 | 18 | 34 | 14 | ||||