| Jason York | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 20, 1970 Nepean, ON, CAN |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Weight | 208 lb (94 kg; 14 st 12 lb) |
| Position | Defence |
| Shot | Right |
| Played for | Detroit Red Wings Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Ottawa Senators Nashville Predators Boston Bruins |
| NHL Draft | 129th overall, 1990 Detroit Red Wings |
| Playing career | 1991–2008 |
Jason Andrew York (born May 20, 1970 in Nepean, Ontario), is a former professional ice hockey player in the NHL. A defenceman, he last played for the Boston Bruins in the 2006–07 season.
York was selected as 129th overall in the seventh round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft at the age of 20 by the Detroit Red Wings. His first NHL game was played during the 1992–93 NHL season when he suited up for the Red Wings December 3, 1992 against the Minnesota North Stars. He scored his first NHL goal April 10, 1994 against fellow Nepean native and Smiths Falls Bear alum Fred Brathwaite and the Edmonton Oilers.
Despite excelling in the minors, York found it difficult to crack a deep Detroit lineup and, after playing only nineteen games over three seasons for the Red Wings, he was traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim April 5, 1995 along with Mike Sillinger for Stu Grimson, Mark Ferner, and a draft pick. In Anaheim, York was able to establish himself as an NHL regular and turned in a solid season in 1995–96, posting 3 goals and 21 assists for 24 points in 79 games. However, his initial success in Anaheim proved brief as he was traded to the Ottawa Senators October 1, 1996 with Shaun Van Allen for Ted Drury and the rights to Marc Moro. Then-Ottawa general manager Pierre Gauthier had gained familiarity with York in his previous job as Anaheim assistant GM.
In Ottawa, York hit his stride as a quality NHL player, establishing himself as a steady defenceman on an up-and-coming Senators team. In 1998–99, he enjoyed his finest offensive season as he recorded 35 points to lead all Senator defencemen. He spent five steady seasons in Ottawa before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2001.
York returned to Anaheim as a free agent for the 2001–02 campaign, signing a three year, $6 million contract. He turned in another solid year but lost his spot on the team at the start of the 2002–03 season. York found himself dispatched to the minors for the first time since 1995, where he posted five points in four games with the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. Soon after his demotion, however, a trade to the Nashville Predators saw him back in the NHL and he spent two full seasons as a regular in Nashville.
Many figured that the 2004–05 NHL lockout would end his NHL career, as it did for many veteran players; after not playing in 2004-2005, York signed with HC Lugano for the 2005–06 season, where he would win the Swiss League championship. He performed well enough to earn another chance in the NHL, signing with the Boston Bruins for the 2006–07 season and appeared in 49 games in Boston as a depth defenceman.
In 757 NHL games over 13 seasons, York recorded 42 goals and 187 assists for 229 points, along with 621 penalty minutes, including two fights. He added 2 goals and 9 points in 34 playoff games, getting as far as the second round once (in 1998, when the Senators were eliminated by eventual Stanley Cup finalist Washington).
Like former Senator teammate Shaun Van Allen, York is currently a broadcaster on Ottawa's all-sports radio station, The Team 1200. During hockey season, he co-hosts the daily afternoon-drive show "The Healthy Scratches" with Steve Lloyd - whom York refers to as Lloyd Sweaterman because of Lloyd's apparently mature wardrobe, at which York constantly pokes fun. One of York's noteworthy contributions to the show has been "Metal Mondays", a weekly feature where York indulges himself in his favourite heavy metal music - most from the hair-band-heyday '80s - as the show goes to its frequent commercial breaks. Motorhead's "Ace of Spades" closes out the Metal Mondays show most weeks.
York has played in the Ottawa summer ball hockey league. He has played for the Penguins. However, most remain more interested in his NHL playing career.