Antoine Vermette
Encyclopedia
Antoine Vermette is a Canadian
professional ice hockey
player, an alternate captain for the Columbus Blue Jackets
of the National Hockey League
(NHL).
(QMJHL). Upon being drafted, he returned to the QMJHL for two more seasons and recorded a major junior career high 119 points in 2000–01
. In his final year of junior, Vermette was limited to just 4 games during the regular season due to an mis-diagnosed nerve problem in his neck originally thought to be Post Concussion Syndrome. He returned in the playoffs to contribute 26 points in 22 games, leading the Tigres to the 2002 President's Cup
as QMJHL champions and an appearance in the 2002 Memorial Cup
in Guelph
, finishing with a silver medal from the tournament, falling in the finals to the Kootenay Ice
.
with Ottawa's American Hockey League
(AHL) affiliate, the Binghamton Senators
. In 74 games, Vermette scored 18 goals and 20 assists and earned a place on the AHL All-Rookie Team. The following season, Vermette earned an NHL roster spot with Ottawa out of training camp. In his rookie NHL season, Vermette would appear in 57 games, scoring 14 points.
During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Vermette returned to Binghamton and scored 28 goals and 45 assists, second in team scoring only to Jason Spezza
. As NHL play resumed the next season, Vermette broke out with 21 goals. He proved to be a valuable part of the Senators' lineup, providing valuable secondary scoring behind the number one line of Heatley
, Spezza
, and Alfredsson
. His 6 shorthanded goals were good enough for second in the league. The Senators were considered Stanley Cup
contenders by many, but were upset by the Buffalo Sabres
in five games. In the off-season, he signed a two-year contract on July 18 worth approximately $2 million.
In 2006–07, Vermette continued to improve, increasing his points total to 39 points, spending the majority of the season on a checking line with fellow penalty-killer Chris Kelly. The duo were rarely apart. On December 2, 2006, Vermette famously scored from behind the net through his legs on the short side against the Tampa Bay Lightning
goaltender Johan Holmqvist
. The goal became well-known around the league and was named TSN
's Goal of the Season. During the playoffs, Vermette recorded 5 points in 20 games and helped the Senators to the Prince of Wales Trophy
as Eastern Conference
champions before losing the Stanley Cup to the Anaheim Ducks
in five games.
Vermette recorded his first career hat trick
on April 3, 2008, against Vesa Toskala
in a 8-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs
. After completing another career-year in 2007–08, recording personal bests with 24 goals, 29 assists and 53 points, Vermette re-signed with the Senators on July 31, 2008, to a two-year $2.525 million contract, avoiding arbitration.
, looking for scoring help as his team attempted to make the playoffs for the first time in its history, was reportedly offering goalie Pascal Leclaire
in exchange for Vermette. It later became official, on March 4, as Vermette was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the 2009 trade deadline for Leclaire and a 2009 2nd round pick (which ended up being Robin Lehner
).
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...
player, an alternate captain for the Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
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).
QMJHL
Vermette played four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey LeagueQuebec Major Junior Hockey League
The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
(QMJHL). Upon being drafted, he returned to the QMJHL for two more seasons and recorded a major junior career high 119 points in 2000–01
2000–01 QMJHL season
The 2000–01 QMJHL season was the 32nd season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 72 games each in the schedule...
. In his final year of junior, Vermette was limited to just 4 games during the regular season due to an mis-diagnosed nerve problem in his neck originally thought to be Post Concussion Syndrome. He returned in the playoffs to contribute 26 points in 22 games, leading the Tigres to the 2002 President's Cup
President's Cup (QMJHL)
The President's Cup is awarded annually by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League to the league's playoffs champion.--Winners—Teams that went on to win the Memorial Cup are listed in bold font.-External links:* List of trophy winners....
as QMJHL champions and an appearance in the 2002 Memorial Cup
2002 Memorial Cup
The 2002 Memorial Cup occurred May 18-26 at the Guelph Sports and Entertainment Centre in Guelph, Ontario. It featured the host team, the Guelph Storm as well as the winners of the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League which were the Erie Otters,...
in Guelph
Guelph
Guelph is a city in Ontario, Canada.Guelph may also refer to:* Guelph , consisting of the City of Guelph, Ontario* Guelph , as the above* University of Guelph, in the same city...
, finishing with a silver medal from the tournament, falling in the finals to the Kootenay Ice
Kootenay Ice
The Kootenay Ice are a major junior ice hockey team based in Cranbrook, British Columbia and competing in the Western Hockey League. The team plays its home games at the Cranbrook Recreational Complex, also nicknamed the RecPlex.-History:...
.
Ottawa Senators
Coming out of major junior, Vermette played the 2002–03 season2002–03 AHL season
The 2002–03 AHL season was the 67th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs finished first overall in the regular season...
with Ottawa's 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) affiliate, the Binghamton Senators
Binghamton Senators
The Binghamton Senators are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . Nicknamed the B-Sens, they play in Binghamton, New York at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. Along with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL, the B-Sens are minor league affiliates of the Ottawa Senators...
. In 74 games, Vermette scored 18 goals and 20 assists and earned a place on the AHL All-Rookie Team. The following season, Vermette earned an NHL roster spot with Ottawa out of training camp. In his rookie NHL season, Vermette would appear in 57 games, scoring 14 points.
During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Vermette returned to Binghamton and scored 28 goals and 45 assists, second in team scoring only to Jason Spezza
Jason Spezza
Jason Anthony Rocco Spezza is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, an alternate captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League...
. As NHL play resumed the next season, Vermette broke out with 21 goals. He proved to be a valuable part of the Senators' lineup, providing valuable secondary scoring behind the number one line of Heatley
Dany Heatley
Daniel James Heatley is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger, and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002...
, Spezza
Jason Spezza
Jason Anthony Rocco Spezza is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, an alternate captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League...
, and Alfredsson
Daniel Alfredsson
Daniel Alfredsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey player. He is the captain of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League . He is considered a leader by example and has been compared to former Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman in his value to the Senators...
. His 6 shorthanded goals were good enough for second in the league. The Senators were considered Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
contenders by many, but were upset by the Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
in five games. In the off-season, he signed a two-year contract on July 18 worth approximately $2 million.
In 2006–07, Vermette continued to improve, increasing his points total to 39 points, spending the majority of the season on a checking line with fellow penalty-killer Chris Kelly. The duo were rarely apart. On December 2, 2006, Vermette famously scored from behind the net through his legs on the short side against the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
goaltender Johan Holmqvist
Johan Holmqvist
Johan Erik Daniel Holmqvist is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender, currently playing for Brynäs IF in Elitserien.-Career:...
. The goal became well-known around the league and was named TSN
The Sports Network
The Sports Network, commonly abbreviated as TSN, is a Canadian English language Category C specialty channel and is Canada's leading English language sports TV channel. TSN premiered in 1984, in the first group of Canadian specialty cable channels...
's Goal of the Season. During the playoffs, Vermette recorded 5 points in 20 games and helped the Senators to the Prince of Wales Trophy
Prince of Wales Trophy
The Prince of Wales Trophy, also known as the Wales Trophy, is an award presented by the National Hockey League to the Eastern Conference playoff champions, prior to the final series of games for the Stanley Cup...
as Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NHL)
The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
champions before losing the Stanley Cup to the Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in five games.
Vermette recorded his first career hat trick
Hat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
on April 3, 2008, against Vesa Toskala
Vesa Toskala
Vesa Tapani Toskala is a professional ice hockey goaltender, currently playing for Ilves.-Early career:Toskala was selected by San Jose in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft . The Sharks also took fellow Finn Miikka Kiprusoff in the fifth round...
in a 8-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. After completing another career-year in 2007–08, recording personal bests with 24 goals, 29 assists and 53 points, Vermette re-signed with the Senators on July 31, 2008, to a two-year $2.525 million contract, avoiding arbitration.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Leading up to the 2009 NHL trade deadline, Vermette was widely rumored to be the subject of trade talks between the Senators and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus GM Scott HowsonScott Howson
Donald Scott Howson is a retired ice hockey player. He is currently the general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, looking for scoring help as his team attempted to make the playoffs for the first time in its history, was reportedly offering goalie Pascal Leclaire
Pascal Leclaire
Pascal Leclaire is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Leclaire is currently an unrestricted free agent. Leclaire played three years in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and was selected eighth overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft...
in exchange for Vermette. It later became official, on March 4, as Vermette was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets at the 2009 trade deadline for Leclaire and a 2009 2nd round pick (which ended up being Robin Lehner
Robin Lehner
Robin Lehner is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Binghamton Senators of the American Hockey League . He was a second-round draft pick of the National Hockey League Ottawa Senators in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He was the recipient of the Jack A...
).
Awards
- Awarded the Mike Bossy TrophyMike Bossy TrophyThe Mike Bossy Trophy is awarded annually to the player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League judged to be the best professional prospect. The award is named after former New York Islanders forward Mike Bossy, who played in the QMJHL prior to his Hockey Hall of Fame career.-Winners:-External...
(top QMJHLQuebec Major Junior Hockey LeagueThe Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League...
draft prospect) in 20001999–2000 QMJHL seasonThe 1999–2000 QMJHL season was the 31st season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league grants the Montreal Rocket an expansion franchise, returning a team to the most populous city in Quebec. The QMJHL splits into four divisions, retaining the names Lebel and Dilio for...
. - Named to the AHLAmerican Hockey LeagueThe 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...
All-Rookie Team in 20032002–03 AHL seasonThe 2002–03 AHL season was the 67th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs finished first overall in the regular season...
.
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 | ||
| 1998–99 1998–99 QMJHL season The 1998–99 QMJHL season was the 30th season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league continued its trend of teams relocating into the Atlantic Canada market, when Laval moved to Bathurst, New Brunswick. Fifteen teams played 70 games each in the schedule... |
Quebec Remparts Québec Remparts There have been two junior ice hockey franchises known as the Quebec Remparts that played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The first franchise played from 1969 to 1985; the current franchise has played since 1997. Both franchises were based out of Quebec City, Quebec... |
QMJHL Quebec Major Junior Hockey League The Quebec Major Junior Hockey League is one of the three major junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League... |
57 | 9 | 17 | 26 | 32 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 1999–00 1999–2000 QMJHL season The 1999–2000 QMJHL season was the 31st season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league grants the Montreal Rocket an expansion franchise, returning a team to the most populous city in Quebec. The QMJHL splits into four divisions, retaining the names Lebel and Dilio for... |
Victoriaville Tigres Victoriaville Tigres The Victoriaville Tigres are a junior ice hockey team that plays in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The team is based out of Victoriaville, Quebec. The team plays its home games at the Colisée Desjardins.-History:... |
QMJHL | 71 | 30 | 41 | 71 | 87 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 2000–01 2000–01 QMJHL season The 2000–01 QMJHL season was the 32nd season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Sixteen teams played 72 games each in the schedule... |
Victoriaville Tigres | QMJHL | 71 | 57 | 62 | 119 | 102 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 14 | ||
| 2001–02 2001–02 QMJHL season The 2001–02 QMJHL season was the 33rd season in the history of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The league inaugurates the Luc Robitaille Trophy for the team that scored the most goals during the regular season. Sixteen teams played 72 games each in the schedule... |
Victoriaville Tigres | QMJHL | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 22 | 10 | 16 | 26 | 10 | ||
| 2002–03 2002–03 AHL season The 2002–03 AHL season was the 67th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs finished first overall in the regular season... |
Binghamton Senators Binghamton Senators The Binghamton Senators are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League . Nicknamed the B-Sens, they play in Binghamton, New York at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena. Along with the Elmira Jackals of the ECHL, the B-Sens are minor league affiliates of the Ottawa Senators... |
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... |
74 | 18 | 20 | 38 | 54 | 18 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 16 | ||
| 2003–04 | Ottawa Senators Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
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... |
57 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 2003–04 2003–04 AHL season The 2003–04 AHL season was the 68th season of the American Hockey League. The league introduces the Willie Marshall Award in honour the career points leader in the AHL, and awards it to the annual top goal scorer.... |
Binghamton Senators | AHL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 AHL season The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Binghamton Senators | AHL | 78 | 28 | 45 | 73 | 36 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 10 | ||
| 2005–06 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 82 | 21 | 12 | 33 | 44 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 2006–07 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 77 | 19 | 20 | 39 | 52 | 20 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | ||
| 2007–08 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 81 | 24 | 29 | 53 | 51 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | ||
| 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... |
Ottawa Senators | NHL | 62 | 9 | 19 | 28 | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | Columbus Blue Jackets Columbus Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 17 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | ||
| 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... |
Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 82 | 27 | 38 | 65 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 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... |
Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 82 | 19 | 28 | 47 | 60 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 540 | 133 | 159 | 292 | 305 | 42 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 28 | ||||
| QMJHL totals | 203 | 96 | 122 | 218 | 227 | 50 | 14 | 23 | 37 | 32 | ||||
| AHL totals | 161 | 62 | 73 | 135 | 99 | 20 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 20 | ||||