Antoine Vermette

Last updated

Antoine Vermette
AntoineVermette1.jpg
Vermette with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2014
Born (1982-07-20) July 20, 1982 (age 41)
Saint-Agapit, Quebec, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 196 lb (89 kg; 14 st 0 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Ottawa Senators
Columbus Blue Jackets
Arizona Coyotes
Chicago Blackhawks
Anaheim Ducks
National teamFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
NHL Draft 55th overall, 2000
Ottawa Senators
Playing career 20022018

Antoine Vermette (born July 20, 1982) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played for 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Contents

Vermette played in the NHL for the Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets, Arizona Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks. Drafted in the second round, 55th overall in 2000 by Ottawa, Vermette was a member of the 2007 Senators team that appeared in the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals. Vermette won the Stanley Cup in 2015 with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Playing career

Amateur

As a youth, Vermette played in the 1995 and 1996 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments with minor ice hockey teams from Chaudière-Appalaches, and South Shore in Quebec. [1]

Vermette played four seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Upon being drafted in the second round, 55th overall, by the Ottawa Senators at the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he returned to the QMJHL for two more seasons and recorded a major junior career-high 119 points in 2000–01.[ citation needed ] In his final year of junior, Vermette was limited to just four games during the regular season due to an mis-diagnosed nerve problem in his neck originally thought to be post-concussion syndrome.[ citation needed ] He returned in the playoffs to contribute 26 points in 22 games, leading the Victoriaville Tigres to the 2002 President's Cup as QMJHL champions, as well as an appearance in the 2002 Memorial Cup in Guelph, Ontario, finishing with a silver medal from the tournament after falling in the finals to the Western Hockey League (WHL)'s Kootenay Ice.[ citation needed ]

Ottawa Senators

Emerging from his major junior career, Vermette played the 2002–03 season with Ottawa's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Binghamton Senators. In 74 games, he scored 18 goals and 20 assists and earned a place on the AHL All-Rookie Team. The following season, 2003–04, Vermette earned an NHL roster spot with Ottawa out of training camp. In his rookie NHL season, he would appear in 57 games, scoring 14 points.[ citation needed ]

During the 2004–05 NHL lock-out, 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' line-up, providing valuable secondary scoring behind the team's top line of Dany Heatley, Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson. Vermette's six short-handed goals ranked second in the League in the statistic. In light of the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Senators were considered Stanley Cup contenders by many, but were ultimately upset by the Buffalo Sabres in five games. In the subsequent off-season, on July 18, Vermette signed a two-year, $2 million contract extension with Ottawa.[ citation needed ]

Vermette during his tenure with the Blue Jackets. Antoine Vermette.jpg
Vermette during his tenure with the Blue Jackets.

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 2007 playoffs, Vermette recorded five points in 20 games and helped the Senators to the Prince of Wales Trophy as Eastern Conference champions before ultimately losing the Stanley Cup to the Anaheim Ducks in five games.[ citation needed ]

Vermette recorded his first career hat-trick on April 3, 2008, against Vesa Toskala in an 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, thereby avoiding salary arbitration.[ citation needed ]

Columbus Blue Jackets

Leading up to the 2009 NHL trade deadline, Vermette was widely rumoured to be the centerpiece of trade talks between the Senators and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus General Manager Scott Howson, looking for scoring help as his team attempted to make the playoffs for the first time in its history, was reportedly offering star goaltender Pascal Leclaire, who had finished second in fan voting among Western Conference goaltenders for the 56th NHL All-Star Game, [2] in exchange for Vermette. The deal became official on March 4 when Vermette was traded to Columbus for Leclaire and Columbus' second-round pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, which Ottawa would ultimately use to select goaltender Robin Lehner. Vermette would spend parts of four seasons with the Blue Jackets, recording 61 goals in 241 games.[ citation needed ]

Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes

Vermette was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes on February 22, 2012, in exchange for goaltender Curtis McElhinney, a 2012 second-round draft pick and a conditional 2013 fifth-round draft pick. [3] He would go on to score five goals with five assists for the Coyotes during the 2012 playoffs.[ citation needed ]

On December 21, 2013, Vermette recorded his second career hat-trick in a 4–3 win against his former team, the Ottawa Senators. Vermette's third goal of the night proved to be the game-winning goal in overtime. [4]

In both the 2012–13 and 2013–14 regular seasons with the Coyotes, Vermette finished in the top ten NHL leader list in faceoff win percentage; he finished both seasons with a faceoff win percentage above 56%. [5]

Chicago Blackhawks

On February 28, 2015, the Coyotes traded Vermette, a pending unrestricted free agent, to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Klas Dahlbeck and a 2015 first-round draft pick (Nick Merkley) at the trade deadline. [6] From the Coyotes to the Blackhawks, Vermette's role transitioned from a top-line forward to a role player with limited ice-time. [7] [8] Vermette recorded only three assists during the rest of the 2014-15 regular season without any goals. Vermette was a healthy scratch for the first two games of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs. Shortly after being reinstated into the line-up, Vermette scored his first goal as a Blackhawk against the Nashville Predators on April 22. [9] On May 23, Vermette scored the game-winning goal against the Anaheim Ducks in double overtime of the Western Conference Finals to tie the series 2-2. [10] Vermette and the Blackhawks defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the 2015 Stanley Cup. He finished the playoffs with four goals, including three game winners, and three assists. Vermette was also dominant on the face-off dot, winning 166 of 282 draws for a 58.9% face-off win percentage during the postseason. [11]

Return to Arizona

On July 1, 2015, Vermette returned to the Arizona Coyotes on a two-year deal. [12] Vermette played in 76 games during the 2015–16 season. He scored 17 goals and 21 assists. On August 1, 2016, the Coyotes waived and bought-out the remaining $3.75 million on his contract with the intent on inserting their youth into the line-up. [13]

Anaheim Ducks

On August 15, 2016, Vermette agreed to a two-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks. [14] During his first season with the Ducks in 2016–17, on February 15, 2017, Vermette was suspended 10 games for slashing linesman Shandor Alphonso during a game between the Ducks and the Minnesota Wild that took place the previous day. [15]

Retirement

Vermette retired on January 31, 2019 after 14 seasons in the NHL. He tallied 228 goals and 287 assists in 1046 regular season games. Vermette retired with a 56.6 career faceoff win percentage, which was the ninth best among all players since the NHL began tracking the stat in 1997. [16]

Personal life

In 2009, Vermette married his childhood sweetheart, Karen, a pharmacist. [17] They have two daughters. [18]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1998–99 Quebec Remparts QMJHL 579172632130002
1999–2000 Victoriaville Tigres QMJHL713041718760116
2000–01 Victoriaville TigresQMJHL7157621191029461014
2001–02 Victoriaville TigresQMJHL402262210162610
2002–03 Binghamton Senators AHL 74182038541822416
2003–04 Ottawa Senators NHL 5777141640114
2003–04 Binghamton SenatorsAHL30006
2004–05 Binghamton SenatorsAHL7828457336614510
2005–06 Ottawa SenatorsNHL8221123344102024
2006–07 Ottawa SenatorsNHL7719203952202356
2007–08 Ottawa SenatorsNHL812429535140004
2008–09 Ottawa SenatorsNHL629192842
2008–09 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL1776138400010
2009–10 Columbus Blue JacketsNHL8227386532
2010–11 Columbus Blue JacketsNHL8219284760
2011–12 Columbus Blue JacketsNHL608192712
2011–12 Phoenix Coyotes NHL2237101616551024
2012–13 Phoenix CoyotesNHL481382136
2013–14 Phoenix CoyotesNHL8224214544
2014–15 Arizona CoyotesNHL6313223534
2014–15 Chicago Blackhawks NHL190336204374
2015–16 Arizona CoyotesNHL7617213893
2016–17 Anaheim Ducks NHL729192842171232
2017–18 Anaheim DucksNHL6488163420000
NHL totals1,0462282875156229714142858

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2011 Canada WC 5th40000
Senior totals40000

Awards and honours

AwardYear
QMJHL
Mike Bossy Trophy (top draft prospect) 2000
CHL Top Prospects Game 2000
AHL
All-Rookie Team 2003
NHL
Stanley Cup (Chicago Blackhawks) 2015

Related Research Articles

The 2002–03 NHL season was the 86th regular season of the National Hockey League. The Stanley Cup winners were the New Jersey Devils, who won the best of seven series 4–3 against the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

The 2005–06 NHL season was the 89th season of operation of the National Hockey League (NHL). This season succeeded the 2004–05 season which had all of its scheduled games canceled due to a labor dispute with the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) over the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the League and its players. The season featured the first time that all 30 of its member teams played games on the same day, which happened the first day of the season, October 5, 2005.

The 2007–08 NHL season was the 91st season of operation of the National Hockey League (NHL). It began on September 29, 2007, and the regular season ended April 6, 2008. The Stanley Cup playoffs ended on June 4, with the Detroit Red Wings taking the championship. The 56th NHL All-Star Game was held in Atlanta, Georgia, as the Atlanta Thrashers hosted the event at Philips Arena on January 27, 2008. The hosting by Atlanta was rescheduled from 2005, when a lockout cancelled the entire 2004–05 season.

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

Travis Shawn Moen is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who most recently played under contract for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Although he was born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, he grew up in Stewart Valley, Saskatchewan. He was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Calgary Flames; however, he never played for the club.

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

Christopher Kunitz is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks.

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

Robert Curtis McElhinney is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. He previously played in the NHL with the Calgary Flames, Anaheim Ducks, Ottawa Senators, Phoenix Coyotes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning. McElhinney was drafted in the sixth-round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Flames, and won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021.

The 2006–07 Anaheim Ducks season was the 14th season of operation for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise. It was the team's 1st season as the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks clinched their first Pacific Division title in team history with 110 points, and defeated the Ottawa Senators in the Stanley Cup Finals four games to one. It was the first Stanley Cup in franchise history, as well as the first time a team in the state of California won the Stanley Cup.

The 2006–07 Ottawa Senators season was the 15th season of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). This season saw the team rebound from a disappointing early exit from the 2006 playoffs. The team made its first appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals, losing to the Anaheim Ducks. After numerous personnel changes at the start of the season, the team had a poor record until December. The poor record sparked numerous trade rumours in the media. The team turned their play around to place second in the division and won three playoff series to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals, the first in Ottawa in 80 years.

The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League (NHL). 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 other conference. It began on October 4, with the regular season ending on April 12. The Stanley Cup playoffs ended on June 12, with the Pittsburgh Penguins taking the championship. The Montreal Canadiens hosted the 57th NHL All-Star Game at the Bell Centre on January 25, 2009, as part of the Canadiens' 100th season celebration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Miller</span> American ice hockey player (born 1984)

Drew Miller is an American former professional ice hockey winger. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Anaheim Ducks, Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Ebbett</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1983)

Andrew Ebbett is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He currently serves as general manager of SC Bern.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mikkel Bødker</span> Danish ice hockey player (born 1989)

Mikkel Bødker is a Danish former professional ice hockey right winger. He was selected eighth overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, making him the highest-ever drafted Danish player. He also featured on the cover of the video game NHL 10 in Denmark and Norway.

The 2008–09 Columbus Blue Jackets season was the ninth National Hockey League (NHL) season in Columbus, Ohio. On April 8, 2009, the Blue Jackets clinched a playoff berth after a shootout victory against the Chicago Blackhawks, the first berth in team history.

The 2013–14 NHL season was the 97th season of operation of the National Hockey League (NHL). This season features a realignment of the league's 30 teams from a six to a four division format. The regular season began October 1, and concluded April 13. The Stanley Cup playoffs began April 16.

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

Alexander Joseph Killorn is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the third round, 77th overall, of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Killorn won back-to-back Stanley Cups with the Lightning in 2020 and 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zach Sanford</span> American ice hockey player

Zachary Michael Sanford is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 61st overall by the Washington Capitals at the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Sanford won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019.

The 2014–15 Chicago Blackhawks season was the 89th season for the National Hockey League (NHL) franchise that was established on September 25, 1926. The Blackhawks finished the season with a 48–28–6 record, finishing in third place in the Central Division. They defeated the Nashville Predators in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, four games to two. In the next round, they swept the Minnesota Wild in four games. In the Western Conference Finals, the 'Hawks outlasted the Anaheim Ducks, winning the series four games to three. In the Stanley Cup Finals, they faced the Tampa Bay Lightning. On June 15, 2015, the team won the Stanley Cup, defeating the Lightning four games to two and winning the Cup at home for the first time since 1938. This was the Blackhawks' third Cup championship in six seasons. Duncan Keith received the Conn Smythe trophy as MVP of the playoffs.

The 2014–15 NHL season was the 98th season of operation of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Stanley Cup playoffs</span> Playoff tournament of the NHL

The 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs was the playoff tournament of the National Hockey League (NHL) for the 2014–15 season. They began on April 15, 2015, and ended on June 15, 2015, with the Chicago Blackhawks defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning four games to two in the Stanley Cup Finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Stanley Cup Finals</span> 2015 ice hockey championship series

The 2015 Stanley Cup Finals was the championship series of the National Hockey League's (NHL) 2014–15 season, and the culmination of the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Western Conference champion Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning four games to two to win their sixth championship in franchise history, and their third title in six seasons.

References

  1. "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  2. "Final NHL All-Star Voting". NHL. January 8, 2008. Archived from the original on August 8, 2007. Retrieved January 29, 2008.
  3. "Coyotes add Jackets' Vermette". National Hockey League. February 22, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  4. "Vermette Completes Hat Trick with OT Goal". National Hockey League. December 21, 2013. Retrieved December 21, 2013.
  5. "Regular Season Faceoff Leaders". National Hockey League. December 18, 2014.
  6. "Vermette acquired by Blackhawks for steep deadline price". Yahoo! Sports . February 28, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  7. Roarke, Shawn (June 14, 2015). "Vermette overcame tough transition to Blackhawks". nhl.com. Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  8. Leahy, Sean (June 14, 2015). "Antoine Vermette can't stop scoring big goals for the Blackhawks". Yahoo! Sports . Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  9. Cohen, Jay (April 22, 2015). "Seabrook lifts Blackhawks to 3 OT win over Predators". Yahoo! Sports . Retrieved June 16, 2015.
  10. "Vermette acquired by Blackhawks for steep deadline price". Yahoo! Sports . February 28, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  11. "2014-2015 / Playoffs / All Skaters / Faceoff Leaders / Faceoff Win Percentage". NHL . June 17, 2015. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
  12. Kuc, Chris (July 1, 2015). "Brad Richards and Antoine Vermette make it official — they're gone". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved July 2, 2015.
  13. McDonald, Joe (August 1, 2016). "Coyotes place Antoine Vermette on buyout waivers". ESPN . Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  14. "Ducks sign C Vermette to two-year contract". Anaheim Ducks. August 15, 2016. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  15. Beacham, Greg (February 15, 2017). "Ducks' Vermette facing lengthy ban for slashing linesman". Yahoo! Sports . Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  16. "Faceoff ace Antoine Vermette retires after 14 NHL seasons". ESPN . Associated Press. January 31, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  17. "Vermette announces marriage". 25stanley.com. February 3, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2010.
  18. Pascarella, Leah (June 22, 2015). "Two Blackhawks welcome daughters". NHL.com. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Winner of the Mike Bossy Trophy
1999–2000
Succeeded by