John Madden (ice hockey)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other persons of the same name, see John Madden (disambiguation).

Position	Centre
Shoots	Left
Nickname	Mad Dog
Height Weight	5 ft 11 in (1.8 m) 190 lb (86 kg)
NHL Team F. Teams	New Jersey Devils None
Nationality	Canada
Born	May 4, 1973, Barrie, ON, CAN
Pro Career	1997 – present

John Madden (born May 4, 1973 in Barrie, Ontario) is an ice hockey centre who currently plays for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League.

Madden's journey to the NHL was an uncommon one. As a child, he grew up in a rough public housing "project" in Toronto's notorious Victoria Park and Eglinton neighbourhood. Madden played for a number of minor league teams, including the Don Mills Flyers, Scarborough Bruins, Hillcrest Summits, and the Junior "C" Alliston Hornets, before moving up to the Junior "B" Barrie Colts. During his second full season (1992-93) with the Colts, Madden set team records for assists (75) and points (124).

Madden never played in "Major Junior Hockey" (the highest level of minor hockey in Canada) and was passed over in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. Notably, of the 286 players drafted that year, just 34 have played more career NHL games than Madden.

Madden played college hockey for the University of Michigan playing in 160 games and getting 80 goals and 100 assist for 180 points with 123 minutes of penalties. During his four-year career with the Wolverines, Madden set the NCAA record for most career shorthanded goals (23) and was a member of the 1995-96 championship team. In his final season at Michigan, he was named to both the CCHA First All-Star and NCAA West First All-American Teams. Madden's team-mates at Michigan included future NHL'ers Brendan Morrison, Mike Knuble, Blake Sloan, Marty Turco, and Steve Shields.

The presence of Morrison, the Devils' second round pick in 1993, proved fortuitous for Madden, who's strong work ethic was noticed by General Manager Lou Lamoriello as he monitored Morrison's college development. Lamoriello eventually offered Madden a contract, and he signed with the Devils as an amateur free agent on June 26, 1997.

Madden spent the bulk of his first two professional seasons with the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League. Madden led the Rats in scoring during the 1998-1999 season, setting team records for assists (60) and points (98). Madden made his NHL debut on January 6, 1999 against cross-town rivals the New York Rangers (one of four games he played for the Devils that year) and collected his first career NHL point on January 18, 1999 against the San Jose Sharks. He won a permanent spot on the Devils' roster the following season (1999-2000) and has been with the team ever since.

Madden is regarded as one of the league's best defensive forwards; he was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2001, and finished second in voting 2003 and 2004. His penalty-killing skills often generate breakaway chances while his team is shorthanded. Madden led the NHL and set a Devils' team record--and tied the NHL rookie record (G. Minor, Van., ’80- 81)--by scoring six shorthanded goals during the 1999-2000 season.

On October 29, 2000, in a 9-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Madden and Randy McKay became the first NHL team-mates to each score four goals in one game since January 14, 1922. [1] Over his career Madden has 32 2-point games, 3 3-point games, 1 4-point game and 1 5-point game.

For most of career, Madden has been paired with right-winger Jay Pandolfo. The value of the Madden/Pandolfo partnership to the Devils has been particularly notable since the 2003-2004 NHL lockout. Despite the loss of defensive stalwarts Scott Stevens (retirement), Scott Niedermayer (free agency), and Ken Daneyko (retirement), as well as a series of rule changes designed to increase offence, the Devils have remained one of the league's least scored on - and least penalized - teams.

On April 25, 2006, Madden completed his first career playoff hat trick in a 4-1 win over the New York Rangers; two of his goals were shorthanded, tying an NHL record.[2]

Madden was a member of the Devils' 1999-00 and 2002-03 Stanley Cup champion clubs. After the retirement of long-time captain Scott Stevens before the 2005-06 season, the Devils abandonded the use of the captain's 'C' and instead used four alternate captains, drawing from a pool of Madden, Brian Rafalski, Colin White, Alexander Mogilny, and Patrick Elias. Madden has continued to wear the alternate captain's 'A' since Elias was named permanent captain prior to the 2006-07 season.

Madden scored his 100th career goal (regular season) on April 1, 2006 against the Philadelphia Flyers. Other recent career milestones include his 100th assist (October 18, 2006 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins), 200th point (October 12, 2006 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs), and 500th game (November 17, 2006 vs. Ottawa Senators).