Jonathon Blum
Encyclopedia
Jonathon Blum is an American
professional ice hockey
defenseman who is currently playing for the Nashville Predators
of the National Hockey League
(NHL).
Selected by the Predators 23rd overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft
, Blum was born in Long Beach
, California
and grew up in Rancho Santa Margarita
, California. During his major junior
career with the Vancouver Giants
of the Western Hockey League
(WHL), Blum helped the club to a President's Cup as WHL champions in 2006 and a Memorial Cup
as Canadian Hockey League
(CHL) champions in 2007
. He received the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy
as the WHL's top defenceman and the CHL Defenceman of the Year
Award in 2009
. In his final season with the Giants, he established himself as the franchise's all-time assists leader. Turning professional in 2009, he spent parts of three seasons with the Predators' minor league affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals
of the American Hockey League
(AHL), before joining the Predators. Internationally, Blum has represented Team USA
on three occasions. He won silver at the 2006 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
and has competed in the 2008
and 2009 World Junior Championships
, finishing without a medal both times.
, California
, to parents John and Dana. An avid surfer
growing up in Rancho Santa Margarita
, approximately 40 miles southeast of Long Beach, Blum was initially playing roller hockey
recreationally at four-years-old before discovering ice hockey
a couple of years later. He played minor hockey with the California Wave, a team led by Jeff Turcotte
, younger brother of former NHL
player Alfie Turcotte
. Due to the lack of elite minor hockey competition in California, the team travelled to Canada
and the Northeast United States to play in top-level tournaments. Blum and the Wave recorded second place finishes in national Midget AAA and Bantam AAA championships culminating in an international Bantam tournament championship in Kamloops, British Columbia
, in 2004. Discovered by scouts at one such tournament, Blum was drafted by the Vancouver Giants
of the WHL
in the seventh round of the junior draft.
In the midst of Blum's pending major junior career, his family was beset with tragedy. A few months prior to his first training camp in Vancouver and a freshman at Trabuco Hills High School
, his house caught fire from a gas leak on April 2, 2004, killing his twin sister, Ashley. Blum has two remaining half-siblings, an older brother and sister. The following year, during his rookie season in the WHL, his mother was diagnosed with a form of juvenile cancer. She underwent heart surgery and chemotherapy
to overcome the cancer by May 2006.
of the WHL
in 2005–06, recording 24 points as a rookie. He added 8 points in the post-season, helping the Giants to a President's Cup as WHL champions and a berth in the 2006 Memorial Cup
in Moncton, where they finished third. The following season, in 2006–07, Blum improved to 51 points as the Giants prepared to defend their WHL title as 2007 Memorial Cup
hosts. With a league-high +37 plus-minus, he earned the WHL Plus-Minus Award
. Blum also participated in the CHL Top Prospects Game
along with teammates Tyson Sexsmith
, Michal Řepík
and Spencer Machacek
. The Giants met the Medicine Hat Tigers
in the WHL finals, where they were defeated in seven games. Then, facing the Tigers in the Memorial Cup final Blum and the Giants captured the franchise's first Canadian Hockey League
(CHL) title by a 3–1 score. That off-season, going into the 2007 NHL Entry Draft
, Blum was ranked 17th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting
. He would be selected 23rd overall by the Nashville Predators
, becoming the first California-born-and-raised player to be drafted in the first round.
After being sent back to junior from the Predators' training camp in September 2007, Blum was signed to an entry-level contract with Nashville on December 17, 2007. Earlier that month, on December 2, he set a Giants' franchise record with four assists in a 6–1 win over Portland Winter Hawks
. One of the Giants' alternate captains along with forward Garet Hunt
, he finished the season with career-highs of 18 goals and 63 points, finishing second among league defensemen (behind Ty Wishart
's 67 points in 72 games). His offensive production also set a single-season franchise-record among Giants defensemen for goals (surpassed by Kevin Connauton
in 2009–10
) and points (surpassed by Brent Regner
in 2008–09
). At the end of the season, he was named to the WHL West Second All-Star Team, along with teammate Tyson Sexsmith
.
With the departure of team captain Spencer Machacek
to the professional ranks the following season, Blum was chosen in his place for the 2008–09 season. He began the season with 14 points in his first 10 games and was named WHL Player of the Month for September/October. On November 19, 2008, he recorded his first career WHL hat trick
in a 4–1 win against the Chilliwack Bruins
. Later that season, on February 7, 2009, during a 4–2 victory over the Portland Winter Hawks
, Blum became the Giants' all-time assists leader with his 148th assist to pass Adam Courchaine's 147-assists mark. Nearly a week later, however, he was sidelined with a shoudler injury after receiving a couple of hits from Kelowna Rockets
forward Jamie Benn
in a 3–2 overtime loss.
Blum returned to complete the season with 66 points in just 51 games to finish third in league scoring among defensemen behind teammate Brent Regner and Paul Postma
of the Calgary Hitmen
. Despite missing 21 games, Blum was named to the WHL West First All-Star Team, along with teammates Casey Pierro-Zabotel
and Evander Kane
, and won the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy
as the league's top defenceman. He was later chosen as the CHL Defenceman of the Year
over Dmitry Kulikov of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
(QMJHL) and Ryan Ellis
of the Ontario Hockey League
(OHL), who were both chosen as defensemen of the year in their respective leagues. In addition to his league-wide honours, he was named co-team MVP with Casey Pierro-Zabotel, as well as the Giants' Top Defenceman and Most Sportsmanlike Player. After eliminating the Prince George Cougars
in the first round, Blum scored 2 goals and 1 assist in the first 2 games of the second round against the Spokane Chiefs, earning WHL Player of the Week honors on April 6. The Giants' post-season ended in the semi-finals against the Kelowna Rockets. Blum led the team in playoff scoring with 18 points in 17 games.
(AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals
, for the remainder of their 2009 playoff
run. He joined the Admirals, making his professional debut, in the second round against the Houston Aeros
. Blum appeared in 5 games, recording no points, as the Admirals were eliminated in seven games.
He remained with Milwaukee in the AHL the following season
and scored his first professional goal on October 14, 2009, against Hannu Toivonen
in a 5–2 win against the Peoria Rivermen
. Blum finished the campaign with 11 goals and 30 assists for 41 points, third among all rookie defensemen in the league. He then added eight points in seven playoff games as the Admirals were eliminated by the Chicago Wolves
in the opening round.
Blum began the 2010–11 season
with Milwaukee for a second consecutive year. After recording 7 goals and 34 points in 54 games, he was called up by the Predators on February 22, 2011.
. In a rematch with Columbus five days later, he scored his first NHL goal against Mathieu Garon
in a 3–2 win. Remaining with the Predators for the remainder of the campaign, Blum recorded 3 goals and 8 points over 23 NHL games while averaging 17 minutes and 45 seconds of ice time per contest. Making his Stanley Cup playoffs
debut in Game 1 of the opening round against the Anaheim Ducks
, Blum helped the Predators to a 4–1 win with one assist. The following game, Ducks forward Bobby Ryan
stomped on Blum's foot with his skate while the two players were tied up behind the Predators' net. Blum was not injured on the play, while Ryan was given a two-game suspension for the play. The Predators went on to eliminate the Ducks in seven games, advancing to the second round, where they were defeated by the Vancouver Canucks
. Blum finished the 2011 playoffs
with two assists over 12 games.
at the 2006 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
in the Czech Republic
and Slovakia
. He captured a silver medal, as the United States lost to Canada
in the final. Two years later, he competed in the 2008 World Junior Championships
in the Czech Republic, finishing fourth with Team USA. Set to appear in the 2009 World Junior Championships
in Ottawa
, Blum was named team captain of the United States. He contributed two goals and two assists in six games, but once again failed to win a medal, finishing in fifth place.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
defenseman who is currently playing for the 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...
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).
Selected by the Predators 23rd overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft
2007 NHL Entry Draft
The 2007 NHL Entry Draft was the 45th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted at Nationwide Arena in the city of Columbus, Ohio, United States on June 22, 2007. The draft consisted of seven rounds with rounds two through seven taking place on June 23, 2007...
, Blum was born in Long Beach
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and grew up in Rancho Santa Margarita
Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Rancho Santa Margarita is a city in Orange County, California. One of Orange County's youngest cities, Rancho Santa Margarita is a master planned community set upon rolling hills. Most neighborhoods in Rancho Santa Margarita are within various homeowners associations...
, California. During his major junior
Junior ice hockey
Junior hockey is a catch-all term used to describe various levels of ice hockey competition for players generally between 16 and 20 years of age...
career with the Vancouver Giants
Vancouver Giants
The Vancouver Giants are a major junior ice hockey team playing in the Western Hockey League . Inaugurated in 2001–02, the Giants have won one President's Cup in 2006 and one Memorial Cup in 2007 in their ten-season history...
of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
(WHL), Blum helped the club to a President's Cup as WHL champions in 2006 and a Memorial Cup
Memorial Cup
The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major...
as Canadian Hockey League
Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
(CHL) champions in 2007
2007 Memorial Cup
The 2007 MasterCard Memorial Cup was played in May 2007 in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the Pacific Coliseum. The tournament was competed between the WHL champion Medicine Hat Tigers, the OHL champion Plymouth Whalers, the QMJHL champion Lewiston Maineiacs, and the host team and tournament...
. He received the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy
Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy
The Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the defenceman of the year in the Western Hockey League.It is named after one of the league's founders, Bill Hunter, who was the driving force behind the creation of the WHL...
as the WHL's top defenceman and the CHL Defenceman of the Year
CHL Defenceman of the Year
The CHL Defenceman of the Year Award is given out annually to the top defenceman in the Canadian Hockey League.-Winners:*2010-11 Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires*2009–10 David Savard, Moncton Wildcats*2008–09 Jonathon Blum, Vancouver Giants...
Award in 2009
2008–09 WHL season
The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took...
. In his final season with the Giants, he established himself as the franchise's all-time assists leader. Turning professional in 2009, he spent parts of three seasons with the Predators' minor league affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals
Milwaukee Admirals
The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:...
of 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), before joining the Predators. Internationally, Blum has represented Team USA
USA Hockey
USA Hockey is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for amateur ice hockey in the United States and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. The organization is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has...
on three occasions. He won silver at the 2006 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
2006 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
The 2006 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament was an ice hockey tournament held in Břeclav, Czech Republic and Piešťany, Slovakia between August 8, 2006 and August 12, 2006. The venues used for the tournament were Zimní Stadion in Břeclav and Zimny Stadion in Piešťany...
and has competed in the 2008
2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 2008 IIHF World U20 Championship, or, as it is commonly referred to in Canada as the 2008 World Juniors and the United States, the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships is the 2008 edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships...
and 2009 World Junior Championships
2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
- Group B :ScheduleAll times local - Relegation round :The results from matches between teams from the same group in the preliminary round are carried forward to this round.-Schedule:...
, finishing without a medal both times.
Early life
Blum was born in Long BeachLong Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, to parents John and Dana. An avid surfer
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
growing up in Rancho Santa Margarita
Rancho Santa Margarita, California
Rancho Santa Margarita is a city in Orange County, California. One of Orange County's youngest cities, Rancho Santa Margarita is a master planned community set upon rolling hills. Most neighborhoods in Rancho Santa Margarita are within various homeowners associations...
, approximately 40 miles southeast of Long Beach, Blum was initially playing roller hockey
Roller hockey
Roller Hockey is a form of hockey played on a dry surface using skates with wheels. The term "Roller Hockey" is often used interchangeably to refer to two variant forms chiefly differentiated by the type of skate used. There is traditional "Roller Hockey," played with quad roller skates, and...
recreationally at four-years-old before discovering 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...
a couple of years later. He played minor hockey with the California Wave, a team led by Jeff Turcotte
Jeff Turcotte
Jeff Turcotte is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey centre who played briefly in the East Coast Hockey League and Sunshine Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, younger brother of former 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...
player Alfie Turcotte
Alfie Turcotte
Alfie Turcotte is a former American ice hockey player.Born in Indiana, but raised in Holt, Michigan, Turcotte was selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft...
. Due to the lack of elite minor hockey competition in California, the team travelled to Canada
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...
and the Northeast United States to play in top-level tournaments. Blum and the Wave recorded second place finishes in national Midget AAA and Bantam AAA championships culminating in an international Bantam tournament championship in Kamloops, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, in 2004. Discovered by scouts at one such tournament, Blum was drafted by the Vancouver Giants
Vancouver Giants
The Vancouver Giants are a major junior ice hockey team playing in the Western Hockey League . Inaugurated in 2001–02, the Giants have won one President's Cup in 2006 and one Memorial Cup in 2007 in their ten-season history...
of the WHL
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
in the seventh round of the junior draft.
In the midst of Blum's pending major junior career, his family was beset with tragedy. A few months prior to his first training camp in Vancouver and a freshman at Trabuco Hills High School
Trabuco Hills High School
Trabuco Hills High School is a high school in Mission Viejo, California, United States. It is the largest school in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District in terms of attendance, with over 3,400 students enrolled as of the 2010-2011 school year....
, his house caught fire from a gas leak on April 2, 2004, killing his twin sister, Ashley. Blum has two remaining half-siblings, an older brother and sister. The following year, during his rookie season in the WHL, his mother was diagnosed with a form of juvenile cancer. She underwent heart surgery and chemotherapy
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy is the treatment of cancer with an antineoplastic drug or with a combination of such drugs into a standardized treatment regimen....
to overcome the cancer by May 2006.
Vancouver Giants (2005–09)
Drafted 134th overall in the 2004 WHL Bantam Draft, Blum played his first season with the Vancouver GiantsVancouver Giants
The Vancouver Giants are a major junior ice hockey team playing in the Western Hockey League . Inaugurated in 2001–02, the Giants have won one President's Cup in 2006 and one Memorial Cup in 2007 in their ten-season history...
of the WHL
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
in 2005–06, recording 24 points as a rookie. He added 8 points in the post-season, helping the Giants to a President's Cup as WHL champions and a berth in the 2006 Memorial Cup
2006 Memorial Cup
The 2006 MasterCard Memorial Cup was held in Moncton, New Brunswick from May 19–28. The host team Moncton Wildcats were the only team guaranteed a spot in the tournament...
in Moncton, where they finished third. The following season, in 2006–07, Blum improved to 51 points as the Giants prepared to defend their WHL title as 2007 Memorial Cup
2007 Memorial Cup
The 2007 MasterCard Memorial Cup was played in May 2007 in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the Pacific Coliseum. The tournament was competed between the WHL champion Medicine Hat Tigers, the OHL champion Plymouth Whalers, the QMJHL champion Lewiston Maineiacs, and the host team and tournament...
hosts. With a league-high +37 plus-minus, he earned the WHL Plus-Minus Award
WHL Plus-Minus Award
The Plus-Minus Award is given annually to the player who finishes with the top plus/minus in the Western Hockey League. It has been awarded since 1987.-List of winners:...
. Blum also participated in the CHL Top Prospects Game
CHL Top Prospects Game
The CHL Top Prospects Game is an annual event in which forty of the top draft eligible prospects in the Canadian Hockey League play against each other, each hoping to boost their draft ranking with the National Hockey League scouts and general managers who attend.The players are typically coached...
along with teammates Tyson Sexsmith
Tyson Sexsmith
Tyson Sexsmith is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently playing with the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League...
, Michal Řepík
Michal Repík
Michal Řepík is a Czech professional ice hockey left winger. He is currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League . Repik was selected by the Florida Panthers in the 2nd round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.-Playing career:Prior to his professional career, Repik played...
and Spencer Machacek
Spencer Machacek
Spencer Machacek is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who is currently playing a free agent and is a prospect for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:-Junior:...
. The Giants met the Medicine Hat Tigers
Medicine Hat Tigers
The Medicine Hat Tigers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League who play out of Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Established in 1970, the team has won two national Memorial Cups, five WHL League Championships and seven Division Titles. The Tigers play at the Medicine Hat Arena....
in the WHL finals, where they were defeated in seven games. Then, facing the Tigers in the Memorial Cup final Blum and the Giants captured the franchise's first Canadian Hockey League
Canadian Hockey League
The Canadian Hockey League is an umbrella organization that represents the three Canadian-based major junior ice hockey leagues for players 16 to 20 years of age. The CHL was founded in 1975 as the Canadian Major Junior Hockey League, and is composed of its three member leagues, the Western Hockey...
(CHL) title by a 3–1 score. That off-season, going into the 2007 NHL Entry Draft
2007 NHL Entry Draft
The 2007 NHL Entry Draft was the 45th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted at Nationwide Arena in the city of Columbus, Ohio, United States on June 22, 2007. The draft consisted of seven rounds with rounds two through seven taking place on June 23, 2007...
, Blum was ranked 17th among North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting
NHL Central Scouting Bureau
The NHL Central Scouting Bureau or NHL Central Scouting Services is a department within the National Hockey League that ranks prospects for the NHL Entry Draft at specific times during the hockey season. Players are ranked based on how well they will translate to the professional game in the...
. He would be selected 23rd overall by the 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...
, becoming the first California-born-and-raised player to be drafted in the first round.
Portland Winter Hawks
The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the...
. One of the Giants' alternate captains along with forward Garet Hunt
Garet Hunt
Garet Hunt is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who is currently playing for the Stockton Thunder of the East Coast Hockey League and is a prospect for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League...
, he finished the season with career-highs of 18 goals and 63 points, finishing second among league defensemen (behind Ty Wishart
Ty Wishart
Ty Wishart is an Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing in the New York Islanders organization.-Playing career:...
's 67 points in 72 games). His offensive production also set a single-season franchise-record among Giants defensemen for goals (surpassed by Kevin Connauton
Kevin Connauton
Kevin Connauton is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays within the Vancouver Canucks organization of the National Hockey League . Selected 83rd overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, he is a prospect for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League...
in 2009–10
2009–10 WHL season
The 2009–10 WHL season is the 44th season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 17, 2009 and ended on March 14, 2010...
) and points (surpassed by Brent Regner
Brent Regner
Brent Regner is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Springfield Falcons in the American Hockey League...
in 2008–09
2008–09 WHL season
The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took...
). At the end of the season, he was named to the WHL West Second All-Star Team, along with teammate Tyson Sexsmith
Tyson Sexsmith
Tyson Sexsmith is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently playing with the Worcester Sharks of the American Hockey League...
.
With the departure of team captain Spencer Machacek
Spencer Machacek
Spencer Machacek is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who is currently playing a free agent and is a prospect for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:-Junior:...
to the professional ranks the following season, Blum was chosen in his place for the 2008–09 season. He began the season with 14 points in his first 10 games and was named WHL Player of the Month for September/October. On November 19, 2008, he recorded his first career WHL 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...
in a 4–1 win against the Chilliwack Bruins
Chilliwack Bruins
The Chilliwack Bruins were a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League, based out of Chilliwack, British Columbia. The 2006–07 season marked the Bruins inaugural season in the WHL. The team played at Prospera Centre, which was expanded to 5,386 seats for the arrival of the Bruins...
. Later that season, on February 7, 2009, during a 4–2 victory over the Portland Winter Hawks
Portland Winter Hawks
The Portland Winterhawks are a major junior ice hockey team based in Portland, Oregon, playing in the Western Hockey League, a member league in the Canadian Hockey League. They play their home games at the Memorial Coliseum, though typically a few games each season are also played in the...
, Blum became the Giants' all-time assists leader with his 148th assist to pass Adam Courchaine's 147-assists mark. Nearly a week later, however, he was sidelined with a shoudler injury after receiving a couple of hits from Kelowna Rockets
Kelowna Rockets
The Kelowna Rockets are a major junior ice hockey team based in Kelowna, British Columbia. The Rockets play in the Western Hockey League , out of the Canadian Hockey League . They play their home games at Prospera Place....
forward Jamie Benn
Jamie Benn
Jamie Benn is a professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . Benn played his junior hockey with the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League prior to turning professional...
in a 3–2 overtime loss.
Blum returned to complete the season with 66 points in just 51 games to finish third in league scoring among defensemen behind teammate Brent Regner and Paul Postma
Paul Postma
Paul Postma is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the St. John's IceCaps of the American Hockey League . He was drafted 205th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and is a prospect for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League...
of the Calgary Hitmen
Calgary Hitmen
The Calgary Hitmen are a major junior ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Hitmen play in the Central Division of the Western Hockey League . They play their home games at the Scotiabank Saddledome. Bret "The Hitman" Hart, a local-born professional wrestler, was a founding owner...
. Despite missing 21 games, Blum was named to the WHL West First All-Star Team, along with teammates Casey Pierro-Zabotel
Casey Pierro-Zabotel
Casey Pierro-Zabotel is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently playing for the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. He is a prospect for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the Penguins in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, 80th overall, out of the...
and Evander Kane
Evander Kane
Evander Kane is a Canadian professional ice hockey left wing with the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League . Selected fourth overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft by the Thrashers, he was drafted from the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League .During his major junior career, he won...
, and won the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy
Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy
The Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the defenceman of the year in the Western Hockey League.It is named after one of the league's founders, Bill Hunter, who was the driving force behind the creation of the WHL...
as the league's top defenceman. He was later chosen as the CHL Defenceman of the Year
CHL Defenceman of the Year
The CHL Defenceman of the Year Award is given out annually to the top defenceman in the Canadian Hockey League.-Winners:*2010-11 Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires*2009–10 David Savard, Moncton Wildcats*2008–09 Jonathon Blum, Vancouver Giants...
over Dmitry Kulikov of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
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...
(QMJHL) and Ryan Ellis
Ryan Ellis
Ryan Ellis is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently playing with the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League....
of 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), who were both chosen as defensemen of the year in their respective leagues. In addition to his league-wide honours, he was named co-team MVP with Casey Pierro-Zabotel, as well as the Giants' Top Defenceman and Most Sportsmanlike Player. After eliminating the Prince George Cougars
Prince George Cougars
The Prince George Cougars are a major junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. The team is based in Prince George, British Columbia, and plays its home games at the CN Centre...
in the first round, Blum scored 2 goals and 1 assist in the first 2 games of the second round against the Spokane Chiefs, earning WHL Player of the Week honors on April 6. The Giants' post-season ended in the semi-finals against the Kelowna Rockets. Blum led the team in playoff scoring with 18 points in 17 games.
Milwaukee Admirals (2009–11)
Upon the Giants' elimination, Blum was assigned by the Predators to their American Hockey LeagueAmerican 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 Milwaukee Admirals
Milwaukee Admirals
The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley Center.-History:...
, for the remainder of their 2009 playoff
2009 Calder Cup Playoffs
The 2009 Calder Cup Playoffs of the American Hockey League began on April 15, 2009. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-seven series for division semifinals, finals and conference finals. The conference champions then played a best-of-seven series for the...
run. He joined the Admirals, making his professional debut, in the second round against the Houston Aeros
Houston Aeros
The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team plays in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.- History :...
. Blum appeared in 5 games, recording no points, as the Admirals were eliminated in seven games.
He remained with Milwaukee in the AHL the following season
2009–10 AHL season
The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11...
and scored his first professional goal on October 14, 2009, against Hannu Toivonen
Hannu Toivonen
Hannu Pekka Toivonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Malmö Redhawks in the HockeyAllsvenskan.-Professional:Toivonen started his pro career with HPK in the Finnish SM-liiga...
in a 5–2 win against the Peoria Rivermen
Peoria Rivermen
The Peoria Rivermen are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Peoria, Illinois, USA at the Carver Arena.-History:...
. Blum finished the campaign with 11 goals and 30 assists for 41 points, third among all rookie defensemen in the league. He then added eight points in seven playoff games as the Admirals were eliminated by the Chicago Wolves
Chicago Wolves
The Chicago Wolves are a professional hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. They are the top affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL. The Wolves play home games at the Allstate Arena in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont, Illinois...
in the opening round.
Blum began the 2010–11 season
2010–11 AHL season
The 2010–11 AHL season is the 75th season of the American Hockey League. An all-time high of thirty teams will play 80 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on October 8, 2010 and ended on April 10, 2011...
with Milwaukee for a second consecutive year. After recording 7 goals and 34 points in 54 games, he was called up by the Predators on February 22, 2011.
Nashville Predators (from 2011)
Blum appeared in his first NHL game on the night of his first call-up, registering a -1 plus-minus rating in 16 minutes of ice time; the Predators lost 4–0 to the Columbus Blue JacketsColumbus 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...
. In a rematch with Columbus five days later, he scored his first NHL goal against Mathieu Garon
Mathieu Garon
Mathieu Garon is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. Garon is a goaltender for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League . Garon has also played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Garon was a member...
in a 3–2 win. Remaining with the Predators for the remainder of the campaign, Blum recorded 3 goals and 8 points over 23 NHL games while averaging 17 minutes and 45 seconds of ice time per contest. Making his Stanley Cup playoffs
Stanley Cup playoffs
The Stanley Cup playoffs is an elimination tournament in the National Hockey League consisting of four rounds of best-of-seven series. Eight teams from each of the league's two conferences qualify for the playoffs based on regular season records...
debut in Game 1 of the opening round against 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...
, Blum helped the Predators to a 4–1 win with one assist. The following game, Ducks forward Bobby Ryan
Bobby Ryan
Bobby Ryan is a winger currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks. Ryan grew up in Collingswood, New Jersey.-Playing career:...
stomped on Blum's foot with his skate while the two players were tied up behind the Predators' net. Blum was not injured on the play, while Ryan was given a two-game suspension for the play. The Predators went on to eliminate the Ducks in seven games, advancing to the second round, where they were defeated by the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
. Blum finished the 2011 playoffs
2011 Stanley Cup playoffs
The 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 13, 2011, after the conclusion of the 2010–11 NHL regular season. Game 1 of the Finals was held on June 1, while Game 7 was held on June 15...
with two assists over 12 games.
International play
Blum debuted internationally for Team USAUSA Hockey
USA Hockey is recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the United States Olympic Committee as the governing body for amateur ice hockey in the United States and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. The organization is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and has...
at the 2006 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
2006 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament
The 2006 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament was an ice hockey tournament held in Břeclav, Czech Republic and Piešťany, Slovakia between August 8, 2006 and August 12, 2006. The venues used for the tournament were Zimní Stadion in Břeclav and Zimny Stadion in Piešťany...
in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
and Slovakia
Slovakia
The Slovak Republic is a landlocked state in Central Europe. It has a population of over five million and an area of about . Slovakia is bordered by the Czech Republic and Austria to the west, Poland to the north, Ukraine to the east and Hungary to the south...
. He captured a silver medal, as the United States lost to Canada
Hockey Canada
Hockey Canada, formally known as the Canadian Hockey Association, is the national governing body of ice hockey in Canada and is a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Hockey Canada controls a vast majority of ice hockey in Canada, with a few exceptions...
in the final. Two years later, he competed in the 2008 World Junior Championships
2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The 2008 IIHF World U20 Championship, or, as it is commonly referred to in Canada as the 2008 World Juniors and the United States, the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships is the 2008 edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships...
in the Czech Republic, finishing fourth with Team USA. Set to appear in the 2009 World Junior Championships
2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
- Group B :ScheduleAll times local - Relegation round :The results from matches between teams from the same group in the preliminary round are carried forward to this round.-Schedule:...
in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Blum was named team captain of the United States. He contributed two goals and two assists in six games, but once again failed to win a medal, finishing in fifth place.
Regular season and playoffs
| 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 | ||
| 2004–05 | California Wave | Minor Minor hockey Minor hockey is an umbrella term for amateur ice hockey which is played below the junior age level. Players are classified by age, with each age group playing in its own league. The rules, especially as it relates to body contact, vary from class to class... |
55 | 15 | 50 | 65 | 65 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Vancouver Giants Vancouver Giants The Vancouver Giants are a major junior ice hockey team playing in the Western Hockey League . Inaugurated in 2001–02, the Giants have won one President's Cup in 2006 and one Memorial Cup in 2007 in their ten-season history... |
WHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
61 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 25 | 18 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 16 | ||
| 2006–07 | Vancouver Giants | WHL | 72 | 8 | 43 | 51 | 48 | 22 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 8 | ||
| 2007–08 2007–08 WHL season The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008.... |
Vancouver Giants | WHL | 64 | 18 | 45 | 63 | 44 | 10 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 10 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 WHL season The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took... |
Vancouver Giants | WHL | 51 | 16 | 50 | 66 | 30 | 17 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 6 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 AHL season The 2008–09 AHL season is the 73rd season of the American Hockey League. 29 teams each played 80 games in the regular season, which ran from October 8 until April 12.-Team and NHL affiliation changes:... |
Milwaukee Admirals Milwaukee Admirals The Milwaukee Admirals are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They play in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA at the Bradley 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... |
— | — | — | — | — | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 AHL season The 2009–10 AHL season was the 74th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-nine teams played 80 regular-season games each from October 2 to April 11... |
Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 80 | 11 | 30 | 41 | 32 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 AHL season The 2010–11 AHL season is the 75th season of the American Hockey League. An all-time high of thirty teams will play 80 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on October 8, 2010 and ended on April 10, 2011... |
Milwaukee Admirals | AHL | 54 | 7 | 27 | 34 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 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... |
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 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... |
23 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| WHL totals | 248 | 49 | 155 | 204 | 147 | 67 | 14 | 28 | 42 | 40 | ||||
| AHL totals | 134 | 18 | 57 | 75 | 52 | 13 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 0 | ||||
| NHL totals | 23 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||||
International statistics
| Year | Team | Event | 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The 2008 IIHF World U20 Championship, or, as it is commonly referred to in Canada as the 2008 World Juniors and the United States, the 2008 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships is the 2008 edition of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships... |
United States | WJC World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world... |
6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2009 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships - Group B :ScheduleAll times local - Relegation round :The results from matches between teams from the same group in the preliminary round are carried forward to this round.-Schedule:... |
United States | WJC | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | |
| Junior int'l totals | 12 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | |||
- All stats taken from
CHL
| Award | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Memorial Cup Memorial Cup The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major... (Vancouver Giants Vancouver Giants The Vancouver Giants are a major junior ice hockey team playing in the Western Hockey League . Inaugurated in 2001–02, the Giants have won one President's Cup in 2006 and one Memorial Cup in 2007 in their ten-season history... ) |
2007 2007 Memorial Cup The 2007 MasterCard Memorial Cup was played in May 2007 in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the Pacific Coliseum. The tournament was competed between the WHL champion Medicine Hat Tigers, the OHL champion Plymouth Whalers, the QMJHL champion Lewiston Maineiacs, and the host team and tournament... |
| Defenceman of the Year CHL Defenceman of the Year The CHL Defenceman of the Year Award is given out annually to the top defenceman in the Canadian Hockey League.-Winners:*2010-11 Ryan Ellis, Windsor Spitfires*2009–10 David Savard, Moncton Wildcats*2008–09 Jonathon Blum, Vancouver Giants... |
2009 |
WHL
| Award | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| President's Cup (Vancouver Giants Vancouver Giants The Vancouver Giants are a major junior ice hockey team playing in the Western Hockey League . Inaugurated in 2001–02, the Giants have won one President's Cup in 2006 and one Memorial Cup in 2007 in their ten-season history... ) |
2006 |
| WHL Plus-Minus Award WHL Plus-Minus Award The Plus-Minus Award is given annually to the player who finishes with the top plus/minus in the Western Hockey League. It has been awarded since 1987.-List of winners:... |
2007 |
| West Second All-Star Team | 2008 2007–08 WHL season The 2007–08 WHL season was the 42nd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 20, 2007, and ended on March 16, 2008. The WHL Playoffs began on March 21, 2008, and ended on May 7, 2008.... |
| Player of the Month | September/October 2008 2008–09 WHL season The 2008–09 WHL season was the 43rd season of the Western Hockey League . The regular season began on September 18, 2008, and ended on March 15, 2009. The WHL Playoffs commenced on March 20, 2009, and the 2008 ADT Canada Russia Challenge series, featuring Team WHL versus the Russian Selects, took... |
| West First All-Star Team | 2009 |
| Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy The Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the defenceman of the year in the Western Hockey League.It is named after one of the league's founders, Bill Hunter, who was the driving force behind the creation of the WHL... (top defenceman) |
2009 |
| Player of the Week | April 6, 2009 |
Vancouver Giants
| Award | Year(s) |
|---|---|
| Team MVP | 2009 (shared with Casey Pierro-Zabotel Casey Pierro-Zabotel Casey Pierro-Zabotel is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently playing for the Cincinnati Cyclones of the ECHL. He is a prospect for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the Penguins in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, 80th overall, out of the... ) |
| Top Defenseman | 2009 |
| Most Sportsmanlike Player | 2009 |
Records
- Vancouver Giants' franchise record; all-time assists – 155 (surpassed Adam Courchaine, 147, on February 7, 2009)
Transactions
- June 22, 2007 – Drafted by the Nashville PredatorsNashville PredatorsThe 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...
23rd overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft2007 NHL Entry DraftThe 2007 NHL Entry Draft was the 45th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted at Nationwide Arena in the city of Columbus, Ohio, United States on June 22, 2007. The draft consisted of seven rounds with rounds two through seven taking place on June 23, 2007...
. - December 17, 2007 – Signed to an entry-level contract by the Nashville Predators.