Paul Gaustad

Last updated

Paul Gaustad
Paul Gaustad.jpg
Gaustad with the Buffalo Sabres in 2011
Born (1982-02-03) February 3, 1982 (age 43)
Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 227 lb (103 kg; 16 st 3 lb)
Position Center
Shot Left
Played for Buffalo Sabres
Nashville Predators
National teamFlag of the United States.svg  United States
NHL draft 220th overall, 2000
Buffalo Sabres
Playing career 20022016

Paul Michael Gaustad (born February 3, 1982) is an American former professional ice hockey centerman who played for the Nashville Predators and Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is nicknamed "Goose."

Contents

Playing career

Junior

Gaustad was drafted in the seventh round, 220th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. In the off-season, he lives in Portland, Oregon. He also played for the Portland Winter Hawks of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

Prior to joining Portland in 1999–2000, Gaustad was a Portland Jr. Hawk. Afterward, Gaustad started playing for a Tier II team in Burnaby, British Columbia, of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League (BCJHL). In his three seasons with the Winter Hawks, he registered 135 points (53 goals and 82 assists) before making his professional debut with the Sabres' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans, in 2002–03.

Professional

Gaustad with the Rochester Americans in 2004 Paul Gaustad Rochester.jpg
Gaustad with the Rochester Americans in 2004

Upon his arrival in Rochester, Gaustad registered 53 points (14 goals and 39 assists) in 80 games while also seeing his first action with the parent club, the Buffalo Sabres.

In the 2005–06 season, Gaustad secured a starting position with the Sabres, where he played mostly as fourth line center and played the power forward/enforcer role, along with teammates Adam Mair and Andrew Peters. Gaustad, who had worn the number 14 in Rochester, had to double his number to 28 in Buffalo, due to 14 being retired in honor of Sabres legend René Robert.

On February 7, 2007, in a game against the Ottawa Senators, Gaustad's leg was cut and his tendon was sliced in a collision with Dany Heatley, an injury which at the time was thought to have ended his season. It was later revealed that the injury could have even potentially ended his career had it been an inch deeper. However, he did recover ahead of schedule and joined the Sabres in their 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs on May 4, 2007, for Game 5 against the New York Rangers at home in Buffalo.

After a productive campaign during the 2007–08 season, in which he registered a solid 36 points while mainly on the third and fourth lines, Gaustad was re-signed by the Sabres to a four-year, $9.2 million contract extension on the eve of the free agency period, which was set for July 1, 2008. [1]

On the ice, Gaustad is known for his teamwork and gritty play making him a popular favorite among fans. He is often in front of the net, capitalizing on his 6'5" frame to screen opposition goaltenders and deflect goals. Because of his size and ability, he typically plays a unit on the power play.

At the 2012 NHL trade deadline, on February 27, Gaustad and a 2013 fourth-round draft pick (Juuse Saros) were sent to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2012 first-round pick. [2]

On September 8, 2016, Gaustad announced his retirement from the NHL after 12 seasons via his Instagram account. [3] [4]

Personal life

Gaustad was born in Fargo, North Dakota and moved to Portland, Oregon at a young age, which he considers his hometown.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1998–99Portland Jr. HawksU18 AA45475310081
1999–2000 Burnaby Bulldogs BCHL 1923525
1999–2000 Portland Winter Hawks WHL 566814110
2000–01 Portland Winter HawksWHL70113041168161061659
2001–02 Portland Winter HawksWHL72364480202631416
2002–03 Rochester Americans AHL 8014395313730004
2002–03 Buffalo Sabres NHL 10000
2003–04 Rochester AmericansAHL7892231169163101330
2004–05 Rochester AmericansAHL761825431929651116
2005–06 Buffalo SabresNHL7891524651804414
2006–07 Buffalo SabresNHL54913227470112
2007–08 Buffalo SabresNHL8210263685
2008–09 Buffalo SabresNHL62121729108
2009–10 Buffalo SabresNHL651210228260118
2010–11 Buffalo SabresNHL81121931101702213
2011–12 Buffalo SabresNHL567101770
2011–12 Nashville Predators NHL140446101125
2012–13 Nashville PredatorsNHL2323520
2013–14 Nashville PredatorsNHL7510112161
2014–15 Nashville PredatorsNHL734101460600022
2015–16 Nashville PredatorsNHL6324646141010
AHL totals2344186127498289152450
NHL totals7278914223177868291164

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2011 United States WC 8th60114
Senior totals60114

References

  1. "Sabres re-sign Gaustad to four-year deal". Buffalo Sabres . June 30, 2008. Retrieved May 31, 2011.
  2. "Goose Heading to Nashville; Roy Staying Put?". WGR. February 27, 2012. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
  3. "Paul Gaustad Instagram". paulgaustad28. September 8, 2016. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  4. "Predators centre Paul Gaustad announces his retirement". sportsnet.ca. September 8, 2016.