James Wright (ice hockey)

Last updated
James Wright
James Wright - Winnipeg Jets.jpg
Born (1990-03-24) March 24, 1990 (age 34)
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 196 lb (89 kg; 14 st 0 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Tampa Bay Lightning
Winnipeg Jets
KHL Medveščak Zagreb
Admiral Vladivostok
Barys Astana
Linköpings HC
NHL Draft 117th overall, 2008
Tampa Bay Lightning
Playing career 2009–2019

James Wright (born March 24, 1990) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He won a Memorial Cup with the Vancouver Giants in 2007 and was selected by Tampa Bay 117th overall in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Contents

Playing career

Junior

Wright began his major junior career with the Vancouver Giants in 2005–06, debuting in two WHL games. The following season, he recorded 12 points in 48 games during his WHL rookie season. He helped the Giants finish as league runner-up in the playoffs to the Medicine Hat Tigers before winning the 2007 Memorial Cup championship against the same Tigers squad in the CHL title final. In 2007–08, Wright improved to 36 points and was drafted 117th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Upon being drafted, Wright continued to play for the Giants, scoring 21 goals and 47 points in 2008–09.

Professional

Wright made the Lightning roster for the start of the 2009–10 season, making his NHL debut on October 3, 2009, in a 6–3 loss to the Atlanta Thrashers. [1] He played the game opposite former Giants linemate Evander Kane of the Thrashers, who was also playing his first NHL game. [1] Wright scored his first NHL goal in his seventh game on October 22, 2009, against Evgeni Nabokov of the San Jose Sharks. [2]

After scoring two goals and three assists through 48 games, he was sent back to the Giants on January 21, 2010. [3] Returning to the WHL, he notched six goals and 19 points through the final 21 games of the 2009–10 WHL season. In the playoffs, the Giants advanced to the semifinals, where they were eliminated in six games by the Tri-City Americans. Wright recorded seven goals and 16 points in 16 post-season games.

Wright began the 2010-11 season in the AHL. He played 15 games for the Lightning's top affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals, before making his 2010–11 NHL season debut for Tampa Bay in an away game against the Philadelphia Flyers on November 18, 2010. On December 2, 2011, Wright was traded by the Lightning, along with Mike Vernace, to the Florida Panthers for Mike Kostka and Evan Oberg. [4] He was then immediately assigned to AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. On January 18, 2013, the eve of the 2012–13 season, Wright was claimed off waivers from the Panthers by the Winnipeg Jets. [5]

After two seasons with the Jets, Wright was released as a free agent, and with limited interest around the league, signed his first contract abroad with Croatian club KHL Medveščak Zagreb of the Kontinental Hockey League, on September 15, 2014. [6]

On July 2, 2015, Wright returned to North America, signing a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Islanders. [7] He was assigned to AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers for the duration of the 2015–16 season.

In the following off-season, having been unable to add to his NHL resume, Wright returned to the KHL, signing a one-year deal with Russian club, Admiral Vladivostok on September 8, 2016. [8] Agreeing to return for a second season in Vladivostok in 2017–18, Wright was traded by the club to Kazakhstani outfit, Barys Astana in exchange for Martin St. Pierre on November 24, 2017. [9]

As a free agent following the season with Barys Astana, Wright left the KHL and ventured to Sweden in agreeing to an optional two-year contract with Linköpings HC of the SHL on July 23, 2018. [10] The optional second year on his contract with the Swedish club was cancelled at the end of the 2018–19 season. [11]

Personal life

Wright is the grandson of former Saskatoon mayor Cliff Wright. The elder Wright served as the city's mayor from 1976 to 1988 and was instrumental in the construction of Saskatchewan Place, which opened at the end of his term in 1988. [12]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2005–06 Vancouver Giants WHL 20002—————
2006–07 Vancouver GiantsWHL48571231143140
2007–08 Vancouver GiantsWHL601323362161012
2008–09 Vancouver GiantsWHL712126475417371013
2009–10 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 4823518—————
2009–10 Vancouver GiantsWHL2161319171679164
2010–11 Norfolk Admirals AHL 801631476461018
2010–11 Tampa Bay LightningNHL10000—————
2011–12 Norfolk AdmiralsAHL221456—————
2011–12 San Antonio Rampage AHL5411172823103472
2012–13 San Antonio RampageAHL405121731—————
2012–13 Winnipeg Jets NHL3823531—————
2013–14 Winnipeg JetsNHL5902215—————
2014–15 KHL Medveščak Zagreb KHL 531541939—————
2015–16 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL731427415320000
2016–17 Admiral Vladivostok KHL551312254461012
2017–18 Admiral VladivostokKHL2626812—————
2017–18 Barys Astana KHL153256—————
2018–19 Linköping HC SHL44561110—————
NHL totals146481264—————

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niclas Bergfors</span> Swedish ice hockey player (born 1987)

Niclas Bergfors is a Swedish professional ice hockey right winger currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played for Djurgårdens IF then of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He was drafted by the National Hockey League (NHL)'s New Jersey Devils in the first round, 23rd overall, at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, playing for the organization for four-and-a-half seasons before joining the Atlanta Thrashers 2010, Florida Panthers in 2011 and Nashville Predators via free agency in 2011. He later joined the KHL's Ak Bars Kazan in late 2011 before signing with Severstal Cherepovets. In 2013, he joined Admiral Vladivostok, where he played for three seasons before joining Amur Khabarovsk in a mid-season trade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Bochenski</span> 27th Mayor of Grand Forks

Brandon Louis Bochenski is an American former professional ice hockey player and politician. He played 156 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) for several teams before serving as captain of Barys Astana in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Internationally Bochenski represented both the United States and Kazakhstan, playing in several World Championships. In June 2020, Bochenski was elected mayor of Grand Forks, North Dakota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Hutchinson (ice hockey)</span> American ice hockey player

Andrew Thomas Hutchinson is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman, who played in the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cam Barker</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1986)

Cameron Barker is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenseman. He was selected third overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks and spent four seasons with the club before being traded to the Minnesota Wild in 2010. Internationally, Barker played for the Canadian national team, and won back-to-back gold medals at the 2005 and 2006 World Junior Championships with the junior team. He is widely regarded as a top draft bust.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martin St. Pierre (ice hockey)</span> Canadian-Kazakhstani ice hockey player

Joseph Louis Martin St. Pierre is a Canadian-Kazakhstani former professional ice hockey forward who last played for Dunaújvárosi Acélbikák in the Erste Liga. St. Pierre was previously most recently with HC Slovan Bratislava of the Slovak Tipsport Liga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigel Dawes</span> Canadian-Kazakh ice hockey player

Nigel Alexander Dawes is a Canadian-Kazakhstani former professional ice-hockey winger. He played 212 games in 5 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Rangers, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames, Atlanta Thrashers, and Montreal Canadiens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathon Blum</span> American ice hockey player (born 1989)

Jonathon Gregory Blum is an American professional ice hockey defenseman, currently playing with EHC Red Bull München of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blair Jones</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Blair Jones is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a selection of the Tampa Bay Lightning, taken 102nd overall at the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, and played five seasons within the Lightning organization before joining the Calgary Flames in 2012. Jones was born in Central Butte, Saskatchewan, but grew up in Craik, Saskatchewan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Hamill</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1988)

Zachary Robert Hamill is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre. Hamill was drafted in the first round, eighth overall by the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Boston Bruins in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Prior to turning professional, Hamill spent his entire Western Hockey League (WHL) career with the Everett Silvertips.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wacey Rabbit</span> Ice hockey player

Wacey Rabbit is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the American Hockey League (AHL) and current assistant coach of the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Vernace</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Michael Vernace is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenseman. He played in the National Hockey League with the Colorado Avalanche and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evander Kane</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1991)

Evander Frank Kane is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played for the Atlanta Thrashers, Winnipeg Jets, Buffalo Sabres, and San Jose Sharks. Kane was selected fourth overall by the Thrashers in the first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Postma</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1989)

Paul Edward Postma is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for EC KAC of the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL). He was drafted 205th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers. During his major junior career with the Swift Current Broncos and Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL), Postma won the WHL Plus-Minus Award and was a WHL East First Team All-Star in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrice Cormier</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1990)

Patrice Victor Cormier is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward. He is currently under contract with Eisbären Berlin of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Cormier was drafted in the second round, 54th overall, by the New Jersey Devils at the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evan Oberg</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Evan Oberg is a Canadian retired ice hockey defenceman. He played 7 games in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks and Tampa Bay Lightning between 2010 and 2012. The rest of his career, which lasted from 2009 to 2019, was mainly spent in the minor American Hockey League, though he also spent one season in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. His last season was for the Lacombe Generals of the Allan Cup Hockey West (ACHW), a semi-professional league in Alberta, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linden Vey</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1991)

Linden Vey is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for Adler Mannheim of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Vey previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings, the latter of which drafted him in the fourth round, 96th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Poulin</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1990)

Kevin Bureau-Poulin is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. Poulin was selected by the National Hockey League (NHL)'s New York Islanders in the fifth round, 126th overall, of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Edward Pasquale</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1990)

Edward Robert Nito Pasquale is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently playing for Barys Astana in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He has formerly played with the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). Pasquale was selected by the Atlanta Thrashers in the fourth round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

Curtis Valk is a Canadian-Kazakhstani professional ice hockey centre. He is currently playing with Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He has formerly played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Florida Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joseph LaBate</span> American professional ice hockey player (born 1993)

Joseph LaBate is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for Barys Astana of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was selected 101st overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

References

  1. 1 2 "Junior linemates James Wright and Evander Kane of Atlanta Thrashers play first NHL game vs. each other". St. Petersburg Times . 2009-10-03. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2009-10-03.
  2. ↑ "James Wright - First NHL Goal". Tampa Bay Lightning. 2009-10-11. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
  3. ↑ "Vancouver Giants get star James Wright back from NHL". Vancouver Sun . 2010-01-21. Archived from the original on 2010-01-24. Retrieved 2010-01-22.
  4. ↑ "Lightning trade Wright, Vernace to Panther for Kostka, Oberg". The Sports Network. 2011-12-02. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
  5. ↑ "Jets claim James Wright". Winnipeg Jets. 2013-01-18. Retrieved 2013-01-18.
  6. ↑ KHL Medveščak Zagreb (2014-09-15). "Zagreb welcomes James Wright from the Jets". Twitter . Retrieved 2014-09-15.
  7. ↑ "Islanders sign six to two-way deals". New York Islanders. 2015-07-02. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  8. ↑ "James Wright moves to Admiral". Admiral Vladivostok. 2016-09-08. Archived from the original on 2018-07-26. Retrieved 2016-09-08.
  9. ↑ "Exchange of foreigners with Barys Astana" (in Russian). Admiral Vladivostok. 2017-11-24. Retrieved 2017-11-24.
  10. ↑ "Powerful center Wright comes to LHC" (in Swedish). Linköpings HC. 2018-07-23. Retrieved 2018-07-23.
  11. ↑ "Six players leaves LHC" (in Swedish). Linköpings HC. 2019-03-21. Retrieved 2019-12-30.
  12. ↑ "No mere pre-season game for Wright". Saskatoon StarPhoenix. 2013-09-27. Retrieved 2013-11-02.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.