Brian Holzinger

Brian Holzinger
Born	(1972-10-10) October 10, 1972 (age 52) Parma, Ohio, U.S.
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	186 lb (84 kg; 13 st 4 lb)
Position	Center
Shot	Right
Played for	Buffalo Sabres Tampa Bay Lightning Pittsburgh Penguins Columbus Blue Jackets
National team	United States
NHL draft	124th overall, 1991 Buffalo Sabres
Playing career	1995–2004

Brian Alan Holzinger (born October 10, 1972) is an American former professional ice hockey center. He played in the National Hockey League with the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Playing career

Holzinger was drafted in the sixth round, 124th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. He played High School Hockey at Padua Franciscan High School in Parma, Ohio and four years of college hockey at Bowling Green State University, and was the recipient of the Hobey Baker Award for top men's collegiate hockey player during his senior season. He made his National Hockey League debut with the Sabres during the 1994–95 season, appearing in four regular season games and four playoff games (scoring two goals during the Sabres' playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers). After four and a half seasons with the Sabres, he was traded at the trade deadline of the 1999–2000 season (along with Cory Sarich and Wayne Primeau) to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Chris Gratton and a second-round draft pick.

In his first full season with the Lightning in 2000–01, Holzinger posted 36 points in 70 games. The following 2001–02 season, Brian was hampered by a shoulder injury that limited him to only 23 games. A broken leg suffered just prior to the 2002–03 season ensured Holzinger was again on the sidelines for the first half of the year. ^[1] After being nursed back to health by his wife Lori, Holzinger was traded at the trade deadline, this time to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Marc Bergevin. ^[2] In the 2003–04 season, once again at the trade deadline, the Penguins traded Holzinger to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Lasse Pirjetä. As a result of this trade, Holzinger was the third Ohio native to play for the Blue Jackets franchise. ^[3]

After retiring from the NHL, Holzinger went on to dominate the PPC Employee Golf Matches over the next decade. His 51-3 helped to add to his championship legacy.

In his NHL career, Holzinger appeared in 547 regular season games. He scored 93 goals and added 145 assists. In 52 Stanley Cup playoff games, he scored 11 goals and 18 assists.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1988–89	Padua Franciscan High School	HS-OH		35	73	65	138	—		—	—	—	—	—
1989–90	Compuware Ambassadors	NAHL		44	36	37	63	—		—	—	—	—	—
1990–91	Compuware Ambassadors	NAHL		37	45	41	86	16		—	—	—	—	—
1991–92	Bowling Green State U.	CCHA		30	14	8	22	36		—	—	—	—	—
1992–93	Bowling Green State U.	CCHA		41	31	26	57	44		—	—	—	—	—
1993–94	Bowling Green State U.	CCHA		38	22	15	37	24		—	—	—	—	—
1994–95	Bowling Green State U.	CCHA		38	35	34	69	42		—	—	—	—	—
1994–95	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		4	0	3	3	0		4	2	1	3	2
1995–96	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		58	10	10	20	37		—	—	—	—	—
1995–96	Rochester Americans	AHL		17	10	11	21	14		19	10	14	24	10
1996–97	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		81	22	29	51	54		12	2	5	7	8
1997–98	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		69	14	21	35	36		15	4	7	11	18
1998–99	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		81	17	17	34	45		21	3	5	8	33
1999–2000	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		59	7	17	24	30		—	—	—	—	—
1999–2000	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		14	3	3	6	21		—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		70	11	25	36	64		—	—	—	—	—
2001–02	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		23	1	2	3	4		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		5	0	1	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Springfield Falcons	AHL		28	6	20	26	16		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		9	1	2	3	6		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		61	6	15	21	38		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		13	1	0	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				547	93	145	238	339		52	11	18	29	61

International

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1992	United States	WJC		7	1	1	2	2

Awards and honours

Award	Year
All-CCHA Second Team	1992–93
All-CCHA First Team	1994–95
AHCA West First-Team All-American	1994–95
NCAA Hobey Baker Award	1994–95
Calder Cup Rochester Americans	1995–96

References

1. "Holzinger breaks leg during informal workout". ESPN. September 10, 2002. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
2. "Phoenix gives up three prospects for Hrdina, Leroux". ESPN. March 11, 2003. Retrieved September 4, 2009.
3. "Playoffs? St. Louis going for it". ESPN. March 10, 2004. Retrieved September 4, 2009.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com , or  Eliteprospects.com , or  Hockey-Reference.com , or  The Internet Hockey Database

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Chris Marinucci	Winner of the Hobey Baker Award 1994–95	Succeeded by Brian Bonin
Preceded by David Oliver	CCHA Player of the Year 1994–95	Succeeded by Brendan Morrison