Michael Souza
Encyclopedia
Michael Souza, often referred to as Mike Souza, is a professional ice hockey
forward
who currently plays for the Bolzano-Bozen Foxes of the Serie A. Born and raised in the United States, Souza later gained Italian Citizenship and participated at the 2009
and 2010 IIHF World Championship
as a member of the Italy men's national ice hockey team.
, Massachusetts
. Souza attended the University of New Hampshire
from 1996 to 2000. He is a cousin of fellow UNH player Paul Thompson
. In 1997 Souza was drafted 67th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks
in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft
. At UNH Souza was noted for his speed and skating skill. In 1999 UNH reached the championship game of the 1999 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. In the championship game Souza scored a key goal in the third period to force overtime. Maine won in overtime, however. In 2000 Souza was a member of the Hockey East
All Star team.
After leaving UNH he played in the AHL
for three seasons with the Norfolk Admirals
and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers
. In 2001 and 2002 he attended the Chicago Blackhawks' training camp. The next two seasons Souza split his time between the ECHL
and the AHL, playing for the Florence Pride and Reading Royals
of the ECHL, and the Portland Pirates
, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and Hershey Bears
of the AHL.
In 2005 Souza began to play in Europe. In the 2005–06 season Souza played for the Cologne Sharks of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, EHC Basel
of the Swiss National League A, and EHC Olten
of the Swiss National League B. In 2006 he moved to Italy to play in the Serie A. He played with SG Cortina
for four seasons before moving to the Bolzano-Bozen Foxes in 2010.
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...
forward
Forward (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a forward is a player position on the ice whose primary responsibility is to score goals. Generally, the forwards try to stay in three different lanes, also known as thirds, of the ice going from goal to goal. It is not mandatory however, to stay in a lane. Staying in a lane aids in...
who currently plays for the Bolzano-Bozen Foxes of the Serie A. Born and raised in the United States, Souza later gained Italian Citizenship and participated at the 2009
2009 IIHF World Championship Division I
The 2009 IIHF Division I World Championship was an ice hockey tournament under the authority of the International Ice Hockey Federation. It was contested from April 11–17, 2009. The tournament was played amongst two separate groups. Group A's tournament was held in Vilnius, Lithuania...
and 2010 IIHF World Championship
2010 IIHF World Championship
The 2010 IIHF World Championship was the 74th IIHF World Championship, an annual international ice hockey tournament. It took place between 7 and 23 May 2010 in Germany. The games were played in the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, SAP Arena in Mannheim, and one game at Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen...
as a member of the Italy men's national ice hockey team.
Playing career
Souza was born in WakefieldWakefield, Massachusetts
-History:-Geography:The diagram above shows what is to the east, west, north, south, and other directions of the center of Wakefield. Towns with population above 25,000 are in bold italics.-Demographics:-Notable residents:...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. Souza attended the University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire is a public university in the University System of New Hampshire , United States. The main campus is in Durham, New Hampshire. An additional campus is located in Manchester. With over 15,000 students, UNH is the largest university in New Hampshire. The university is...
from 1996 to 2000. He is a cousin of fellow UNH player Paul Thompson
Paul Thompson (ice hockey b. 1988)
Paul Thompson is an American ice hockey forward who is currently playing in the American Hockey League with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins...
. In 1997 Souza was drafted 67th overall by 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...
in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft
NHL Entry Draft
The NHL Entry Draft is an annual meeting in which every franchise of the National Hockey League systematically select the rights to available amateur ice hockey players who meet draft eligibility requirements...
. At UNH Souza was noted for his speed and skating skill. In 1999 UNH reached the championship game of the 1999 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. In the championship game Souza scored a key goal in the third period to force overtime. Maine won in overtime, however. In 2000 Souza was a member of the Hockey East
Hockey East
Hockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference....
All Star team.
After leaving UNH he played in the 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...
for three seasons with the Norfolk Admirals
Norfolk Admirals
The Norfolk Admirals are a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Admirals play in Norfolk, Virginia, at the Norfolk Scope.-History:...
and the Bridgeport Sound Tigers
Bridgeport Sound Tigers
The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are an ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. It has been the AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, who also own the franchise, since its inception, and use the same team colors as the parent Islanders do. The team is based in...
. In 2001 and 2002 he attended the Chicago Blackhawks' training camp. The next two seasons Souza split his time between 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...
and the AHL, playing for the Florence Pride and Reading Royals
Reading Royals
The Reading Royals are a professional ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL. The team participates in the Atlantic Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Royals play their home games at the Sovereign Center located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania...
of the ECHL, and the 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...
, Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and Hershey Bears
Hershey Bears
The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of...
of the AHL.
In 2005 Souza began to play in Europe. In the 2005–06 season Souza played for the Cologne Sharks of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, EHC Basel
EHC Basel
EHC Basel, also known as Eishockey Club Basel are a professional Swiss ice hockey team. They are based out of the St. Jakob Arena in Basel, Switzerland. EHC Basel was founded on October 14, 1932. Were promoted to the Nationalliga A for 2005–06 after winning the Nationalliga B the previous season...
of the Swiss National League A, and EHC Olten
EHC Olten
EHC Olten is a Swiss professional ice hockey team based in Olten, Switzerland.-External links:*...
of the Swiss National League B. In 2006 he moved to Italy to play in the Serie A. He played with SG Cortina
SG Cortina
Sportivi Ghiaccio Cortina is an ice hockey team from Italy. They play their home games at Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio, located in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Veneto...
for four seasons before moving to the Bolzano-Bozen Foxes in 2010.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | 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 | ||
| 1996–97 | U. of New Hampshire New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey The New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents the University of New Hampshire. The Wildcats are a member of Hockey East... |
HE Hockey East Hockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference.... |
39 | 15 | 11 | 26 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | U. of New Hampshire | HE | 38 | 13 | 12 | 25 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | U. of New Hampshire | HE | 41 | 23 | 42 | 65 | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–2000 | U. of New Hampshire | HE | 38 | 15 | 25 | 40 | 58 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 2000–01 AHL season The 2000–01 AHL season was the 65th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns its divisions again. The Atlantic division is renamed the Canadian division. The Empire State division is replaced by the South division, with many teams shifting from the Mid-Atlantic division.Twenty... |
Norfolk Admirals Norfolk Admirals The Norfolk Admirals are a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Admirals play in Norfolk, Virginia, at the Norfolk Scope.-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... |
75 | 14 | 17 | 31 | 44 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2001–02 2001–02 AHL season The 2001–02 AHL season was the 66th season of the American Hockey League. It was the season of the biggest growth in the AHL's history, as it accepted eight new teams. The demise of the International Hockey League brought six teams transferring from the defunct league, in addition to two expansion... |
Norfolk Admirals | AHL | 66 | 20 | 11 | 31 | 58 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 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... |
Norfolk Admirals | AHL | 5 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers Bridgeport Sound Tigers The Bridgeport Sound Tigers are an ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League. It has been the AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's New York Islanders, who also own the franchise, since its inception, and use the same team colors as the parent Islanders do. The team is based in... |
AHL | 59 | 7 | 15 | 22 | 89 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 | ||
| 2003–04 | Florence Pride | ECHL ECHL The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States... |
17 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 29 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 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.... |
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 | 27 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Bridgeport Sound Tigers | AHL | 14 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | Reading Royals Reading Royals The Reading Royals are a professional ice hockey team that currently plays in the ECHL. The team participates in the Atlantic Division of the ECHL's Eastern Conference. The Royals play their home games at the Sovereign Center located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania... |
ECHL | 12 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 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... |
Hershey Bears Hershey Bears The Hershey Bears Hockey Club is a professional ice hockey team playing in the American Hockey League, and is currently the top affiliate of the NHL Washington Capitals. The hockey club is based in the unincorporated town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, located within Derry Township some 14 miles east of... |
AHL | 53 | 14 | 8 | 22 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 2005–06 Deutsche Eishockey Liga season The 2005–06 Deutsche Eishockey Liga season was the 12th season since the founding of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga . The German champion Eisbären Berlin defended its title in the final game on 17 April 2005... |
Cologne Sharks | DEL | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 14 | ||
| 2005–06 | EHC Basel EHC Basel EHC Basel, also known as Eishockey Club Basel are a professional Swiss ice hockey team. They are based out of the St. Jakob Arena in Basel, Switzerland. EHC Basel was founded on October 14, 1932. Were promoted to the Nationalliga A for 2005–06 after winning the Nationalliga B the previous season... |
NLA | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | EHC Olten EHC Olten EHC Olten is a Swiss professional ice hockey team based in Olten, Switzerland.-External links:*... |
NLB | 23 | 16 | 18 | 34 | 38 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | SG Cortina SG Cortina Sportivi Ghiaccio Cortina is an ice hockey team from Italy. They play their home games at Stadio Olimpico del Ghiaccio, located in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Veneto... |
Serie A | 31 | 22 | 31 | 53 | 32 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 12 | ||
| 2007–08 | SG Cortina | Serie A | 31 | 13 | 15 | 28 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 | SG Cortina | Serie A | 42 | 23 | 20 | 43 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | SG Cortina | Serie A | 28 | 6 | 11 | 17 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| Serie A totals | 132 | 64 | 77 | 141 | 110 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 12 | ||||