Greg Classen

Last updated
Greg Classen
Greg Classen.jpg
Classen with the Milwaukee Admirals in 2005
Born (1977-08-24) August 24, 1977 (age 46)
Aylsham, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Nashville Predators
Porin Ässät
Hamburg Freezers
Iserlohn Roosters
EHC Basel Sharks
Rapperswil-Jona Lakers
HC Sierre-Anniviers
Kölner Haie
ERC Ingolstadt
Lausitzer Füchse
Starbulls Rosenheim
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2000–2020

Gregory Dean "Greg" Classen (born August 24, 1977) is a German-Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. Classen played a total of 90 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) all with the Nashville Predators. He also appeared in 321 American Hockey League (AHL) games between six seasons and four different teams. After his career in North America he moved to Europe and retired after the 2018–19 season in the German Eishockey-Oberliga with the Rostock Piranhas. In total Classen played 21 seasons professionally with 15 different clubs. [lower-alpha 1]

Contents

Playing career

Classen played four seasons of junior hockey for the Nipawin Hawks of the SJHL from 1994 to 1998. He then went on to play two seasons of hockey at Merrimack College competing in the Hockey East Division of the NCAA. While at Merrimack, he earned a spot on the Hockey East All Rookie Team. [1] [2]

After going undrafted, Classen signed as a free agent in 1999 with the National Hockey League (NHL) team Nashville Predators. In his rookie season with the Predators in 2000–01 Classen played 27 NHL games and scored a total of six points. The following season Classen got a bigger role at the club as he appeared in 55 regular season games, in which he put up 11 points. Classen also appeared in the AHL with Predators' affiliate club Milwaukee Admirals. In the 2002–03 season Classen's playing time with the NHL club went down significantly as he only appeared in eight games with zero points. He played 72 games with the Admirals where he scored 48 points. The following season Classen only played with the Admirals. He appeared in 68 games and was the club's assistant captain. The Admirals won the AHL championship.

In 2004 Classen signed with Finnish SM-liiga club Porin Ässät for one season. [3] [2] Classen played 42 regular season games with Ässät and scored a total of 18 points. [4] Ässät's playoff run was cut short after only two games. [5]

The 2005–06 season saw Classen return to the Milwaukee Admirals. [6] He played the following season in Germany with DEL club Hamburg Freezers.

On July 3, 2007, it was announced he had signed a contract with the Vancouver Canucks. He was then reassigned by the Canucks, and played with their American Hockey League affiliate, the Manitoba Moose.

He moved to fellow AHL team Providence Bruins the following season and after 1 game moved onto the San Antonio Rampage before leaving for German team, Iserlohn Roosters, where he spent the remainder of the 2008-09 campaign.

He started the 2009–10 season with the Rapperswil-Jona Lakers of the Swiss top flight, [7] before transferring to second-division side EHC Basel Sharks during the season. In January 2010, he moved on to another Swiss team, HC Sierre-Anniviers. [8]

On July 18, 2010, Classen returned to the German DEL and signed a two-year contract with Kölner Haie. [9] After three seasons with Haie, Classen left as a free agent to sign with ERC Ingolstadt. [10] Classen won the DEL championship with Ingolstadt.

In 2014, he joined German second-division side Lausitzer Füchse on a two-year deal. [11] On March 14, 2015, he was attacked with a knife and severely injured. He was hospitalized for almost a month [12] and returned to game action in September 2015. [13] Classen left the Füchse squad upon the conclusion of the 2015-16 campaign and was signed by fellow DEL2 side Starbulls Rosenheim on August 27, 2016. [14]

Classen moved on to a Player-Assistant Coach role for two seasons (2017–18 and 2018–19) with the Rostocker EC Piranhas of the German Eishockey-Oberliga. In the two seasons he played with the Piranhas, Classen appeared in 78 regular season games where he put up 74 points. [15] Classen retired after the 2018–19 season. [16]

Personal life

Classen was born in Aylsham, Saskatchewan, on August 24, 1977. [15] [2] Classen holds the citizenships of Canada and Germany.

Classen's parents Gord and Marjorie were killed by an impaired driver in a head-on collision on Saskatchewan Highway 41 between Saskatoon and Aberdeen on January 23, 2020. [17] Classen's hockey career ended abruptly as a result.

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1997–98 Nipawin Hawks SJHL 5932508250—————
1998–99 Merrimack College HE 3614112528—————
1999–00 Merrimack CollegeHE3614163016—————
1999–00 Milwaukee Admirals IHL 11101220002
2000–01Milwaukee AdmiralsIHL23510153150000
2000–01 Nashville Predators NHL 2724614—————
2001–02 Nashville PredatorsNHL55561130—————
2001–02 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 824612—————
2002–03 Milwaukee AdmiralsAHL722028486161124
2002–03 Nashville PredatorsNHL80004—————
2003–04 Milwaukee AdmiralsAHL68182947952043712
2004–05 Porin Ässät SM-l 42810187420000
2005–06 Milwaukee AdmiralsAHL7624265067211151618
2006–07 Hamburg Freezers DEL 509263570710114
2007–08 Manitoba Moose AHL771115266761126
2008–09 Providence Bruins AHL10002—————
2008–09 San Antonio Rampage AHL1925714—————
2008–09 Iserlohn Roosters DEL24551010—————
2009–10 EHC Basel NLB 22291124—————
2009–10 Rapperswil-Jona Lakers NLA 20002—————
2009–10 HC Sierre NLB—————40112
2010–11 Kölner Haie DEL451017273051122
2011–12 Kölner HaieDEL5258133660006
2012–13 Kölner HaieDEL45156101212318
2013–14 ERC Ingolstadt DEL4336932181012
2014–15 Lausitzer Füchse DEL2 511035455131010
2015–16 Lausitzer FüchseDEL25210233332—————
2016–17 Rosenheim Star Bulls DEL2 527142128-----
2017–18 Rostock Piranhas GerObL 3010182854—————
2018–19Rostock PiranhasGerObL4813334644-----
NHL totals907101748—————
AHL totals32177107184318537202740
DEL totals25933671001884843742

Awards and honors

AwardYear
College
Hockey East Rookie Team 1998–99 [1]
AHL
Calder Cup champion 2004 [2]
DEL
DEL champion 2014 [16]

Notes

  1. ↑ Includes NHL, AHL, SM-liiga, NLA, NLB, DEL and DEL2 clubs

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deutsche Eishockey Liga</span> Premier mens ice hockey league in Germany

The Deutsche Eishockey Liga or DEL, is a German professional ice hockey league and the highest division in German ice hockey. Founded in 1994, it was formed as a replacement for the Eishockey-Bundesliga and became the new top-tier league in Germany as a result. Unlike the old Bundesliga, the DEL is not under the administration of the German Ice Hockey Federation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tyler Bouck</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1980)

Tyler John Bouck is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Dallas Stars, Phoenix Coyotes and the Vancouver Canucks. He spent the last five seasons of his career in Germany with ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).

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

Josh Gratton is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger who last played for the South Carolina Stingrays of the ECHL. Gratton played in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers and the Phoenix Coyotes. His cousin is former NHL forward Chris Gratton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Sulzer</span> German ice hockey player (born 1984)

Alexander Sulzer is a German former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL) and National Hockey League (NHL).

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

Darren J. Haydar is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger. Haydar was selected by the Nashville Predators in the ninth round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. He is one of the top AHL players of all-time, having won two Calder Cup championships and is the AHL’s all-time leader in playoff goals (63), assists (80) and points (143). Despite his prowess in the AHL, Haydar played little in the NHL, scoring only a single goal and eight points over 23 games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Gardner (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player and coach

Paul Malone Gardner is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and a former centre, who most recently coached at Löwen Frankfurt in Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamil Piroš</span> Czech ice hockey player

Kamil Piroš is a Czech former professional ice hockey center/winger, who most notably played with HC Litvínov in the Czech Extraliga as well as the Atlanta Thrashers and the Florida Panthers in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the eighth round, 212th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft.

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

Cameron Douglas Mann is a Canadian former professional ice hockey Winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Boston Bruins and Nashville Predators. He finished his career with the EIHL's Nottingham Panthers, initially signing with the team on July 22, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felix Schütz</span> German ice hockey player

Felix Schütz is a German former professional ice hockey player who played in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niklas Sundblad</span> Swedish ice hockey player and coach

Niklas Sundblad is a Swedish professional ice hockey coach and a former Swedish professional ice hockey player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ville Koistinen</span> Finnish ice hockey player (born 1982)

Ville Koistinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing with HPK in the Finnish Liiga.

Lance Nethery is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre and coach, and current executive. He played 41 games in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers during the 1980–81 and 1981–82 seasons. The rest of his career, which lasted from 1979 to 1990, was split between the minor leagues and then in Europe, mainly in the Swiss Nationalliga A. After his playing career Nethrey became a coach and manager in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga, working in those roles between 1993 and 2019.

Jonathan Boutin is a Canadian-German professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently playing for German DEL2 club, EC Bad Nauheim. He was originally drafted in the third round, 96th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Boutin was born in Granby, Quebec, and was granted German citizenship in May 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Jones (ice hockey)</span> Ice hockey player

Ryan Michael Stewart Jones is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. He was drafted in the fourth round, 111th overall, by the Minnesota Wild in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and played for the Nashville Predators and Edmonton Oilers in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played out the remainder of his professional career with Kölner Haie of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).

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

Steven Zalewski is an American former professional ice hockey center. He most recently played with the Straubing Tigers of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Zalewski was drafted 153rd overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the San Jose Sharks.

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

Greg Rallo is an American former professional ice hockey player who predominantly played in the American Hockey League (AHL). He appeared in 11 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Florida Panthers.

Mikko Vainonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman who was last under contract with Glasgow Clan in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Max Görtz</span> Swedish professional ice hockey forward (born 1993)

Max Görtz is a Swedish professional ice hockey forward. He is currently playing with Schwenninger Wild Wings in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Görtz was selected by the Nashville Predators in the 6th round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.

Patrik Parkkonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman. He is currently a free agent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicholas Baptiste</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1995)

Nicholas Baptiste is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who is currently playing for Tappara in the Liiga. Baptiste was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the third round of the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.

References

  1. 1 2 "All-Rookie | Hockey East". sports-chronicles.com. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Laiho, Harri (25 August 2004). "Greg Classen - maalaispoika maailmalla". Jatkoaika.com (in Finnish). Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  3. ↑ "Greg Classen Porin Ässiin". Yle Urheilu (in Finnish). 2004-07-23. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  4. ↑ "Patahistory.com". www.patahistory.com. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  5. ↑ "2004-05 SM-liiga Playoff Results at hockeydb.com". www.hockeydb.com. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  6. ↑ theahl (2005-11-28). "Classen glad to be back in Milwaukee". theahl.com. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  7. ↑ "Actualité - Greg Classen prend la route de Cologne | Planète Hockey". Planète Hockey. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
  8. ↑ "Actualité - Greg Classen transféré de Bâle à Sierre | Planète Hockey". Planète Hockey. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
  9. ↑ "Classen, Card sign with Sharks" (in German). Kölner Haie. 2010-07-18. Retrieved 2010-07-18.
  10. ↑ "Greg Classen to support Panthers for European trophy". ERC Ingolstadt. 2013-08-07. Archived from the original on 2013-11-05. Retrieved 2013-08-07.
  11. ↑ "Greg Classen kommt vom Eishockey-Meister Ingolstadt: Lausitzer Füchse landen Transfer-Coup". BILD.de. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
  12. ↑ sz-online. "Eishockey-Profi Classen verlässt Klinik". SZ-Online (in German). Retrieved 2016-02-13.
  13. ↑ Rundschau, Lausitzer. "Cottbus: Von der Intensivstation zurück auf das Eis :: lr-online". www.lr-online.de. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
  14. ↑ "Starbulls Rosenheim e.V. - Deutlicher Testspielsieg und neuer Mittelstürmer!" . Retrieved 2016-08-28.[ permanent dead link ]
  15. 1 2 "Greg Classen at eliteprospects.com". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  16. 1 2 "Mit 42 Jahren ist es genug". Donaukurier.de (in German). Retrieved 2023-08-15.
  17. ↑ Woodward, Laura (2020-08-20). "'Her time was taken': Sask. drunk driver sentenced to 6 years for fatal crash". Saskatoon. Retrieved 2023-08-15.
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.