Brian Holzinger

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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 teamFlag of the United States.svg  United States
NHL draft 124th overall, 1991
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 19952004

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.

Contents

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 Jenna, 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]

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 TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1988–89 Padua Franciscan High School HS-OH 357365138
1989–90 Compuware Ambassadors NAHL 44363763
1990–91Compuware AmbassadorsNAHL3745418616
1991–92 Bowling Green State U. CCHA 301482236
1992–93 Bowling Green State U.CCHA4131265744
1993–94 Bowling Green State U.CCHA3822153724
1994–95 Bowling Green State U.CCHA3835346942
1994–95 Buffalo Sabres NHL 4033042132
1995–96 Buffalo SabresNHL5810102037
1995–96 Rochester Americans AHL 17101121141910142410
1996–97 Buffalo SabresNHL8122295154122578
1997–98 Buffalo SabresNHL691421353615471118
1998–99 Buffalo SabresNHL81171734452135833
1999–2000 Buffalo SabresNHL597172430
1999–2000 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL1433621
2000–01 Tampa Bay LightningNHL7011253664
2001–02 Tampa Bay LightningNHL231234
2002–03 Tampa Bay LightningNHL50112
2002–03 Springfield Falcons AHL286202616
2002–03 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL91236
2003–04 Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL616152138
2003–04 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL131012
NHL totals547931452383395211182961

International

YearTeamEvent GPGAPtsPIM
1992 United States WJC 71122

Awards and honours

AwardYear
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.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Winner of the Hobey Baker Award
1994–95
Succeeded by
Preceded by CCHA Player of the Year
1994–95
Succeeded by