Frank Corrado

Frank Corrado
Corrado with the Utica Comets in 2013
Born	(1993-03-26) March 26, 1993 (age 31) Woodbridge, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position	Defenceman
Shot	Right
Played for	Vancouver Canucks Toronto Maple Leafs Pittsburgh Penguins Modo Hockey Dinamo Riga
NHL Draft	150th overall, 2011 Vancouver Canucks
Playing career	2012–2021

Francesco Corrado (born March 26, 1993) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the fifth round, 150th overall, of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. Corrado made his NHL debut for the Canucks during the 2012-13 season. He also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Since retiring as a professional player in 2021, Corrado has become a broadcaster and television hockey analyst. Known as Frank during his playing days, Corrado now goes by the moniker "Frankie," which he is known by professionally in his broadcasting capacity.

Playing career

Junior

Corrado played with the Vaughan Kings minor midget AAA team in the GTHL during the 2008–09 season where he scored 15 goals and added 33 assists in 62 games. He was selected by the Sudbury Wolves in the second round, 25th overall, in the OHL Priority Draft.

In his rookie season in the Ontario Hockey League, Corrado played in 63 games, scoring 1 goal. He followed that up by playing 67 of 68 regular season games in the following season. His offensive output more than tripled as he registered 4 goals and 30 points. He then added another goal and four assists in eight playoff games.

Corrado was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the fifth round, 150th overall, in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. After a successful first NHL training camp with the Canucks, Corrado signed his 3-year entry level contract with the Canucks on September 23, 2011 before being returned to Sudbury.

Corrado with the Sudbury Wolves in 2010.

Corrado made his professional hockey debut on April 7, 2012 with the Chicago Wolves after Sudbury was eliminated from the OHL playoffs. Corrado appeared in four regular season games, registering one assist. He also played in two playoff games before Chicago was eliminated from the playoffs by San Antonio.

On January 8, 2013, Frank Corrado was traded from the Sudbury Wolves to the Kitchener Rangers. On April 15, 2013, Corrado was assigned to the Chicago Wolves. ^[1]

Professional

Vancouver Canucks

On April 22, 2013, Corrado made his NHL debut against the Chicago Blackhawks. He logged 17:20 of ice time and had three hits. The Canucks kept Corrado for their opening round playoff sweep by the San Jose Sharks, thus eating the first year of his Entry Level Contract.

He scored his first career NHL goal on April 14, 2014 on a wrist shot against goaltender Karri Rämö of the Calgary Flames.

Toronto Maple Leafs

On October 5, 2015, the Canucks placed Corrado on waivers. He was claimed by the Toronto Maple Leafs the following day. ^[2] When commenting on the matter, Corrado said it was a "dream come true" to play for his hometown team. ^[3] Corrado would however remain a healthy scratch for 10 weeks, finally making his Toronto debut on December 15, 2015, in a 5–4 overtime loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning (Corrado had spent two weeks with the Marlies as part of a conditioning stint during this near 3-month span). ^[4] This prolonged wait is likely attributed to the Maple Leafs' desire for Corrado to improve his strength in the gym, as well as an overabundance of defencemen on the roster. ^[4]

On July 25, 2016, Corrado signed a 1-year, $600 000 with the Toronto Maple Leafs. ^[5]

The 2016–17 campaign again saw Corrado a frequent healthy scratch, though this time he saw even less playing time. Corrado had played just one game by the new year, admitting he was frustrated with his role as the team's "bench warmer." ^[6] In mid December, Corrado made controversial comments stating that he wasn't playing because head coach Mike Babcock wasn't fond of him, though general manager Lou Lamoriello did comfort him on the situation. ^[7] The comments brought return remarks from Babcock and significant fan and media attention to Corrado's situation, sparking a "Free Corrado" social media campaign. In an effort to receive more playing time, he was loaned to the Marlies for a seven-game conditioning stint. ^[8] Corrado would play one more game on January 19 (due to an injury to Morgan Rielly), but a poor performance resulted in him being a further healthy scratch. ^[9] On February 4, following the acquisition of fellow right handed defenceman Alexei Marchenko via waivers, the Maple Leafs placed Corrado on waivers for the purpose of sending him to the AHL. ^[10] General manager Lou Lamoriello stated he hoped Corrado was selected off waivers, saying he deserved an opportunity to play in the NHL. ^[11] However, he cleared the following day.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Corrado played with the Marlies until the March 1 NHL Trade Deadline, where he was sent to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Eric Fehr, Steven Oleksy and a 2017 fourth round pick. He was directly assigned to AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. ^[12] On December 7, 2017, he was recalled from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to replace Justin Schultz who was placed on Injured Reserve. ^[13] Corrado's tenure in Pittsburgh was characterized by injury issues. ^[14]

Return to AHL

At the conclusion of his contract with the Penguins, Corrado was not tendered a contract resulting in unrestricted free agent status. Corrado was un-signed over the summer and leading into the 2018–19 season, before opting to sign a standard AHL one-year playing contract in a return to the Toronto Marlies on October 22, 2018. ^[15]

As an unsigned free agent the following off-season, Corrado continued his professional career in the AHL for the 2019–20 season, agreeing to a professional tryout contract with the Belleville Senators, affiliate of the Ottawa Senators, on October 26, 2019. ^[16] He was later signed to a one-year AHL deal with the Senators, appearing in 36 games for 10 assists before the season was cancelled due to COVID-19.

Europe

As an impending free agent, Corrado opted to pursue a career abroad, agreeing to a one-year contract with Swedish club, Modo Hockey of the second tier HockeyAllsvenskan on June 1, 2020. In the following 2020–21 season, Corrado re-established his offensive acumen from the blueline, registering 4 goals and 17 points through 34 regular season games with Modo.

On May 10, 2021, Corrado left Sweden as a free agent, signing a contract with Latvian based club, Dinamo Riga of the KHL. ^[17] In November 2021, after seven games with Riga, Corrado and the team mutually agreed to contract termination after Corrado discovered an injury. ^[14]

Broadcast sports analyst

Following his departure from professional hockey, Corrado became a hockey analyst with Canadian television sports network TSN. ^[18]

Personal life

Corrado is of Italian descent. Growing up, he was a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs. In a November 2021 interview, Corrado stated that he still cheered for the team despite his mixed tenure with the club, and watches Maple Leafs games on television when he is able to. ^[14]

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2009–10	Sudbury Wolves	OHL		63	0	0	0	0		4	0	1	1	0
2010–11	Sudbury Wolves	OHL		67	4	26	30	94		8	1	4	5	8
2011–12	Sudbury Wolves	OHL		60	3	23	26	81		4	0	0	0	12
2011–12	Chicago Wolves	AHL		4	0	1	1	0		2	0	0	0	0
2012–13	Sudbury Wolves	OHL		41	6	21	27	44		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Kitchener Rangers	OHL		28	1	17	18	45		10	1	1	2	6
2012–13	Chicago Wolves	AHL		3	0	2	2	0		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		3	0	0	0	0		4	0	0	0	0
2013–14	Utica Comets	AHL		59	6	11	17	46		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		15	1	0	1	4		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Utica Comets	AHL		35	7	9	16	31		18	1	0	1	24
2014–15	Vancouver Canucks	NHL		10	1	0	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Toronto Marlies	AHL		7	0	3	3	2		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		39	1	5	6	26		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		2	0	0	0	6		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Toronto Marlies	AHL		18	1	11	12	14		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		17	1	3	4	6		1	0	0	0	2
2016–17	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		2	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		32	1	13	14	18		—	—	—	—	—
2017–18	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		5	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
2018–19	Toronto Marlies	AHL		39	2	4	6	18		—	—	—	—	—
2019–20	Belleville Senators	AHL		36	0	10	10	18		—	—	—	—	—
2020–21	Modo Hockey	Allsv		34	4	13	17	24		—	—	—	—	—
2021–22	Dinamo Riga	KHL		7	1	2	3	2		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				76	3	5	8	40		4	0	0	0	0

References

1. "Canucks assign Frank Corrado". Vancouver Canucks . Retrieved 15 April 2013.
2. "Maple Leafs claim Toronto native Corrado from Canucks". Sportsnet . Rogers . Retrieved 6 October 2015.
3. "Pierre LeBrun on Twitter". Twitter . Retrieved 6 October 2015.
4. "Canucks' waiver gaffe apparent as Corrado makes Maple Leafs debut". Sportsnet . Retrieved 16 December 2015.
5. "Maple Leafs sign defenceman Frank Corrado to 1-year contract". Sportsnet . Retrieved 25 July 2016.
6. "Corrado frustrated with role as benchwarmer". Toronto Sun. 10 November 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
7. "Maple Leaf's Corrado Says He's Not Playing Because 'The Coach Doesn't Like' Him". The Hockey News. 16 December 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
8. "Corrado feels ready after 7 game stint with Marlies". Sportsnet. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
9. "Toronto Maple Leafs' Frank Corrado 'a little inconsistent' in rare chance to play". National Post. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
10. "Maple Leafs claim Alexey Marchenko; waive Frank Corrado". Pension Plan Puppets. 4 February 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2017.
11. "Leafs put Corrado on waivers, add Marchenko". Toronto Sun. 5 February 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
12. "Maple Leafs acquire Fehr, Oleksy and pick from Penguins for Corrado". Sportsnet.ca. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
13. "Penguins Recall Frank Corrado". NHL.com. Pittsburgh Penguins. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
14. Steve Glynn, Adam Wylde (24 November 2021). "#FreeCorrado". Youtube (Podcast). Retrieved 27 November 2021.
15. "Marlies sign Frank Corrado to SPC". Toronto Marlies. 22 October 2018. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
16. "Senators sign Corrado to PTO". Belleville Senators. 26 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
17. "Canadian defenseman Frank Corrado joins Dinamo Riga" (in Latvian). Dinamo Riga. 10 May 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
18. Kusma, Ben (24 October 2022). "Canucks Q&A: Charismatic Frank Corrado is still shooting from the lip as TSN analyst". The Province . Retrieved 25 October 2022.

External links

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