Dainius Zubrus

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Dainius Zubrus
Dainius Zubrus - New Jersey Devils.jpg
Zubrus with the New Jersey Devils in 2014
Born (1978-06-16) June 16, 1978 (age 46)
Elektrėnai, Lithuanian SSR, Soviet Union
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 225 lb (102 kg; 16 st 1 lb)
Position Forward
Shot Left
Played for Philadelphia Flyers
Montreal Canadiens
Washington Capitals
Buffalo Sabres
New Jersey Devils
San Jose Sharks
National teamFlag of Russia.svg  Russia and
Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania
NHL draft 15th overall, 1996
Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career 1996–2019

Dainius Gintas Zubrus (born June 16, 1978) is a Lithuanian former professional ice hockey forward who played in the National Hockey League (NHL), the first Lithuanian to have played 1,000 games in the NHL. Drafted 15th overall in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, Zubrus played for the Flyers, Montreal Canadiens, Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks.

Contents

Playing career

Early career

In the summer of 1989 at 11 years of age, Zubrus moved to Kharkiv, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union, to train under Ukrainian coach Ivan Pravilov, with whom he became close as he played for him for six years, on the Druzhba-78 squad, where he played until the end of 1995. [1] [2] As a youth, he played in the 1992 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with them. [3] Pravilov was arrested in 2012 for sexual abuse of a teenage student, and committed suicide by hanging in prison. [4] [5] Zubrus said: "Since learning of the terrible accusations against my former coach, all my thoughts and concerns have been for the children. I have reached out to the children, and assured them that I am, and will continue to be, there for them." [4]

Professional

Zubrus in 2010 Dainius Zubrus.png
Zubrus in 2010

The Philadelphia Flyers selected Zubrus 15th overall in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft from the Caledon Canadians of the Metro Junior A Hockey League, making him the highest drafted Tier II Junior "A" player since the inception of the Canadian Junior A Hockey League in 1993 (a record later surpassed when Kyle Turris was selected third at 2007 NHL Entry Draft). Prior to being traded to Caledon, Zubrus played for the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Central Junior A Hockey League.[ citation needed ]

Zubrus made his NHL debut on October 5, 1996, scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers. In his rookie season, he helped the Flyers reach the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals. The Flyers traded him to the Montreal Canadiens on March 10, 1999, along with a pair of draft picks, in exchange for Mark Recchi. He registered his first career hat-trick on October 14, 2000, against the Chicago Blackhawks, and was traded to the Washington Capitals (along with Trevor Linden) in exchange for Richard Zedník and Jan Bulis on March 13, 2001. [6]

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Zubrus decided to play abroad with Capitals teammate Alexander Semin. He played 42 regular season games for Lada Togliatti, recording 8 goals and 11 assists for 19 points. He also appeared in ten playoff games while in the former Russian Superleague (RSL), scoring three goals and one assist.[ citation needed ]

Zubrus returned to the Capitals the following 2005–06 season and recorded a career-high 57 points playing alongside star rookie Alexander Ovechkin. [7] In the 2006–07 season, Zubrus continued his impressive form, posting 52 points in 60 games before he was traded on February 27, 2007, to the Buffalo Sabres (along with Timo Helbling) in exchange for Jiří Novotný and a first round-draft pick. [8]

On July 3, 2007, as a free agent, Zubrus signed a six-year, $20.4 million contract with the New Jersey Devils. [9]

On November 23, 2008, Zubrus had one of the best offensive games in Devils history. Zubrus tied a team record with four goals to help New Jersey win its season-high fourth straight game, 7–3 over the Tampa Bay Lightning. [10] Four years later, Zubrus got to his second Stanley Cup decision, losing the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals to the Los Angeles Kings. [11] On July 4, 2013, the Devils re-signed Zubrus to a reported three-year contract. [12] [13]

On July 29, 2015, after eight seasons with the Devils, Zubrus was placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating the final year of his contract. [14] [15] [16]

On October 27, 2015, it was announced Zubrus was invited to professional tryout (PTO) with the St. Louis Blues. [17] [18] On November 6, 2015, Zubrus was released from his professional tryout after the Blues opted instead to sign Martin Havlát to a one-year contract. [19]

Zubrus with the Washington Capitals DZubrus.jpg
Zubrus with the Washington Capitals

On November 16, 2015, Zubrus was invited to a professional tryout by the San Jose Sharks. [20] [21] Eight days later, he signed a contract with the Sharks, reuniting with former Devils head coach Peter DeBoer and former Devils teammate Paul Martin. [22] [23] With San Jose, Zubrus reached his third Stanley Cup Finals, which the Sharks lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins. [11] He retired during the off-season. [24]

International play

Originally, Zubrus had suited up for the Russia national team during the World Cup of Hockey in 2004. But since then, he has played internationally for Lithuania, most notably in the 2005 World Championships. He had told the press, "Lithuania needs me more than Russia".[ citation needed ] Because of the existence of the Soviet Union, players born during its time as a nation were able to choose to play for any of the newly formed countries after the breakup, and even considered representing Ukraine due to his training there.[ citation needed ]

Executive career

In 2018, Zubrus was elected as president of Hockey Lietuva, the governing body of ice hockey in Lithuania. [25] In May 2022, he was re-elected for a second term. [26]

Personal life

Zubrus and his wife have two children. [27]

Zubrus holds dual citizenship and is a citizen of Lithuania and the United States. [28] [29]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1995–96 Pembroke Lumber Kings CJHL 2819133273—————
1995–96 Caledon Canadians MetJHL 737102171112234
1996–97 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 6881321221954912
1997–98 Philadelphia FlyersNHL69825334250112
1998–99 Philadelphia FlyersNHL6335825—————
1998–99 Montreal Canadiens NHL173584—————
1999–2000 Montreal CanadiensNHL7314284254—————
2000–01 Montreal CanadiensNHL4912122430—————
2000–01 Washington Capitals NHL12112760002
2001–02 Washington CapitalsNHL7117264338—————
2002–03 Washington CapitalsNHL631322354362244
2003–04 Washington CapitalsNHL5412152738—————
2004–05 Lada Togliatti RSL 4281119851031422
2005–06 Washington CapitalsNHL7123345784—————
2006–07 Washington CapitalsNHL6020325250—————
2006–07 Buffalo Sabres NHL1944812150888
2007–08 New Jersey Devils NHL821325383850118
2008–09 New Jersey DevilsNHL8215254069701110
2009–10 New Jersey DevilsNHL511017272851018
2010–11 New Jersey DevilsNHL7913173053—————
2011–12 New Jersey DevilsNHL821727443424371018
2012–13 New Jersey DevilsNHL2227912—————
2013–14 New Jersey DevilsNHL8213132646—————
2014–15 New Jersey DevilsNHL74461042—————
2015–16 San Jose Sharks NHL5034720141126
NHL totals1,29322836359179110612253778

International

YearTeamEventGPGAPtsPIM
2004 Russia WCH 42134
2005 Lithuania WC D1 43142
2014 LithuaniaWC D1B52794
2018 LithuaniaWC D1B50662
2019 LithuaniaWC D1A51014
Tier I senior totals42134
Tier II senior totals196142012

See also

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References

  1. ↑ Chere, Rich (January 19, 2012). "Devils' Dainius Zubrus disappointed by his former Ukrainian coach's arrest". NJ.com. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  2. ↑ "Dainius Zubrus biography". drazhba78.com. April 6, 2012. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2012.
  3. ↑ "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 3, 2019.
  4. 1 2 "NHL forward Dainius Zubrus reacts to the death of his former coach". NHL.com. February 11, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  5. ↑ Nark, Jason (May 15, 2012). "The Perfect Predator". Iquirer.com. Retrieved January 24, 2022.
  6. ↑ "Capitals acquire Linden, Zubrus, Marshall". usatoday.com. March 13, 2001. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  7. ↑ Cohn, Linda (November 10, 2006). "Ovechkin, Zubrus work well on, off the ice". ESPN. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
  8. ↑ Brady, Erik (February 28, 2007). "Zubrus checks in with Sabres". usatoday.com. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  9. ↑ "Devils sign free agents Zubrus, Rachunek". usatoday.com. July 3, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2009.
  10. ↑ "D.Zubrus - geriausias NHL lygos dienos žaidėjas". DELFI (in Lithuanian). November 24, 2008. Retrieved November 24, 2008.
  11. 1 2 Gilmore, Eric (May 28, 2016). "Sharks' Zubrus hopes third time's the charm". NHL.com. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
  12. ↑ "Devils re-sign Dainius Zubrus". NHL.com. July 4, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Devils Re-Sign Elias, Zubrus; Place Hedberg On Unconditional Waivers". CBS New York. July 4, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Devils place forward Zubrus on unconditional waivers". NHL.com. July 29, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Zubrus placed on unconditional waivers". NHL.com. July 30, 2015. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Dainius Zubrus leaves Devils with no bitterness". NJ.com . July 30, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Blues invite forwards Havlat, Zubrus for tryouts". NHL.com. October 27, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  18. ↑ "Zubrus, Havlat Invited to Pro Tryouts". NHL.com. October 28, 2015. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Blues Sign Havlat to One-Year Deal". NHL.com. November 6, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Former Devils forward Dainius Zubrus gets tryout with Pete DeBoer's San Jose Sharks". NJ.com. November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Still with Sharks, Zubrus never lost will to keep playing". Comcast SportsNet Bay Area. November 18, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Sharks Sign Forward Dainius Zubrus to a Two-Way Contract". NHL.com. November 24, 2015. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Sharks sign Zubrus to two-way contract". NHL.com. November 24, 2015. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Paskelbtas ledo ritulio rinktinės kandidatų sąrašas: yra ir Dainius Zubrus". lrytas.lt (in Lithuanian). February 28, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  25. ↑ Merk, Martin (July 30, 2018). "Prezidentas Zubrus". IIHF.com. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Lietuvos ledo rituliui ir toliau vadovaus Dainius Zubrus". 15min.lt. May 17, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2025.
  27. ↑ "L'ancien Canadien Dainius Zubrus n'écarte pas un retour à Montréal". LNH.com (in Canadian French). March 2, 2007. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Devils get into USA-Canada spirit with shootout showdown; Clowe feels "fine"". North Jersey. February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  29. ↑ "D. Zubrus – apie JAV pilietybę, KHL klubo viliones ir baimę dėl draugų gyvybių" (in Lithuanian). Delfi. April 18, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Philadelphia Flyers first round draft pick
1996 		Succeeded by
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