Nazem Kadri

Nazem Kadri
Born October 6, 1990 (1990-10-06) (age 21)
London, Ontario, CAN
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Forward
Shoots Left
NHL team (P)
Cur. team
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Marlies (AHL)
NHL Draft 7th overall, 2009
Toronto Maple Leafs
Playing career 2010–present

Nazem Kadri (born October 6, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs after being called up from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. He has also played with the Kitchener Rangers. He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs seventh overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He won the J. Ross Robertson Cup with the Rangers, and played in the 2008 Memorial Cup, losing in the final to the Spokane Chiefs. On February 8, 2010, he became the fourth player of Lebanese descent to play in the NHL, after John Hanna, Alain Nasreddine and Ed Hatoum. Kadri represented Canada at the 2010 World Junior Championships, where the team won the silver medal.

Contents

Hockey career

Minor

Kadri grew up playing minor hockey for the London Jr. Knights of the MHAO's AAA Pavilion League. He was a key member of MHAO championship teams in Peewee, Bantam and Minor Midget before moving onto the OHL in 2006-07. He participated in the 2003 All-Ontario Peewee Championships in Markham, Ontario and the 2005 All-Ontario Bantam Championships in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Junior

Kadri started his Ontario Hockey League (OHL) career with the Kitchener Rangers after being selected in the first round, 18th overall of the 2006 OHL Priority Selection.[1] During his second season in the OHL, he played 68 games scoring 25 goals and adding 40 assists.[2] During the playoffs, Kadri helped the Rangers to an OHL Championship and a berth in the Memorial Cup final, where they lost to the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL.[3]

After the 2007–08 season was complete, Kadri was traded by the Rangers to the London Knights for a package of draft picks.[4] Kadri played the 2008–09 season for his hometown Knights. He played in 56 games, where he scored 25 goals and added 53 assists.[2] Kadri lost time during the 2008–09 season when he suffered a broken jaw.[5] Kadri was selected to play for Team OHL in the ADT Canada Russia Challenge, but was unable to participate due to this injury.[6] Kadri was invited to Team Canada's selection camp for the 2009 World Junior Championships, but did not make the team.[5] Also during the 2008–09 season, Kadri was chosen to play in the OHL All-Star Classic, where he suited up for the Western Conference and scored a goal.[7]

After the season was complete, he was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round (7th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.[8] Kadri signed a 3-year, entry level contract with the club on July 6, 2009.[9]

After being cut from the Maple Leafs, Kadri returned to play for the Knights in the OHL. He was selected to play for Team OHL in the 2009 Subway Super Series (renamed from the ADT Canada Russia Challenge).[10] Kadri was also selected to represent the Western Conference in the 2009–10 OHL All-Star Classic, his second appearance in the league's All-Star Game in as many seasons.[11] On March 30, 2010 Kadri was named the CHL Player of the Week, after recording 9 points (2 goals, 7 assists) in 3 games.[12] The OHL named Kadri the league's Player of the Month for April 2010, a month in which he recorded 26 points (9 goals, 17 assists) in 10 games.[13]

Professional

Kadri attended training camp with the Maple Leafs prior to the 2009–10 season. He played in 6 pre-season games with the club, where he scored 3 goals and added 2 assists. Coach Ron Wilson had said prior to training camp that Kadri would need to be one of the team's top 6 forwards in order to make the club. Kadri was returned to the Knights prior to the start of the NHL regular season.[14]

Because of injuries to Christian Hanson and Fredrik Sjöström, Kadri was called up to the Maple Leafs under an emergency basis, and made his NHL debut on February 8, 2010 against the San Jose Sharks. He did not register any points and finished with a minus 1 rating.[15] This was a one game only call up and he returned to the London Knights following the game. Coach Ron Wilson said he will most likely be with the Leafs in the 2010-2011 season, though this was in doubt after comments made by both Wilson and Burke during the pre-season, indicating Kadri had not played to the level they expected and is "running out of time" to prove himself.[16] In addition Burke is a strong supporter of rookies gaining experience at the AHL level.[17] Kadri was included in the Maple Leafs last round of cuts, and was sent to the Toronto Marlies for the start of the season. On November 12 Kadri was called up by the Toronto Maple Leafs along with fellow leaf prospect Keith Aulie.[18] On November 16, 2010, Kadri recorded his first NHL point against the Nashville Predators, assisting on a goal by Kris Versteeg.[19] On November 18, 2010, Kadri recorded his first multi-point night with 2 assists in a game against the New Jersey Devils. On March 19, 2011, Kadri recorded his first NHL goal against Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins.

International

Medal record
Competitor for  Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Silver 2010 Saskatoon Ice hockey

Kadri played for Team Ontario at the 2007 Canada Winter Games, where they won a gold medal.[20] He first represented Canada at the 2007 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament where the team finished fourth.[20] Kadri was invited to Team Canada's selection camp for the 2010 World Junior Championships held in Regina, Saskatchewan. After being cut in 2009, Kadri was selected to represent Canada in 2010.[5] In Canada's preliminary round game against the Americans, Kadri was one of the players selected for the shootout, and he scored on goaltender Jack Campbell to help Canada secure the victory.[21]

During the tournament, Kadri scored 3 goals and added 5 assists.[22] During the tournament, Kadri attracted attention for his refusal to shake hands with Switzerland's Nino Niederreiter after their semi-final game. Kadri did not elaborate on the specifics of what caused his refusal, but did absolve Niederreiter of using an ethnic slur, "Obviously, in big games like that, guys tend to lose their composure a bit, but I didn't take offence to anything he said. It was just that I felt like I didn't have to shake his hand."[23] Kadri later had second thoughts about his refusal, "I regret it a little bit."[24] During the gold medal game against the United States, Kadri had two assists including one on Jordan Eberle's tying goal with 1 minute and 35 seconds left.[25] Canada lost the game in overtime, leaving Kadri and his teammates with the silver medal.[25]

Personal life

Kadri started skating when he was two, began playing organized hockey when he was four, and was suiting up for elite level teams when he was six.[26]

Kadri's parents are Sam and Sue, and he has four sisters (Yasmine, Sabrine, Rema, and Rayanne).[20] Sam Kadri moved to Canada when he was four from the small town of Kferdenis in Lebanon.[27] Nazem is a practicing Muslim, but says he has never run into any issues on the ice with trash talking concerning his religious beliefs.[24] Kadri was the first Muslim drafted by the Maple Leafs.[26] He is the second Muslim to be drafted into the NHL, after Ramzi Abid.[28] In high school, Kadri served as a member of his school's Muslim Student Association.[26] Kadri is the fourth player of Lebanese descent to play in the NHL, following in the footsteps of John Hanna, Alain Nasreddine and Ed Hatoum.[27]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2005–06 London Jr. Knights Min. Midget MHAO 62 49 43 92 82
2006–07 Kitchener Rangers OHL 62 7 15 22 30 9 0 2 2 4
2007–08 Kitchener Rangers OHL 68 25 40 65 57 20 9 17 26 26
2008–09 London Knights OHL 56 25 53 78 31 14 9 12 21 22
2009–10 London Knights OHL 56 35 58 93 105 12 9 18 27 26
2009–10 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 1 0 0 0 0
2010–11 Toronto Marlies AHL 44 17 24 41 62
2010–11 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 29 3 9 12 8
OHL totals 242 92 166 258 223 55 27 49 76 78
NHL totals 30 3 9 12 8

International

Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM +/-
2010  Canada WJC 6 3 5 8 14 +1

References

  1. ^ "OHL Priority Selection process conducted on Saturday". Canoe, Inc.. 2006-05-06. http://www.canoe.ca/OHLNews0506/0506.html. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  2. ^ a b "Kadri, Nazem - NHL.com - NHL Entry Draft Prospect Profiles". National Hockey League. http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectdetail.htm?dpid=5375. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  3. ^ "Memorial Cup". http://www.hhof.com/legendsofhockey/html/silver_splashmemorialcup.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  4. ^ "London Knights complete trade for Nazem Kadri". Soo Today. 2008-06-03. http://www.sootoday.com/content/sports/full_story.asp?StoryNumber=32498. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  5. ^ a b c "Opportunity knocks for Kadri". 2009-12-17. http://www.londonknights.com/display_news.asp?news=1436. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  6. ^ "2009 NHL Entry Draft Profile: Nazem Kadri". Ontario Hockey League. 2009-06-24. http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/2009-nhl-entry-draft-profile-nazem-kadri-p128570. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  7. ^ "Nazem Kadri (C) - London Knights". Ontario Hockey League. http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/stats/player.php?id=4566. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  8. ^ "NHL Entry Draft". National Hockey League. http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftsearch.htm?year=2009&round=1. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  9. ^ "Leafs ink first-rounder Kadri to entry level deal". TSN. 2009-07-06. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/teams/story/?id=283884&hubname=nhl-maple_leafs. Retrieved 2010-01-18. 
  10. ^ "Subway Series Roster Announced". Peterborough Petes. 2009-10-28. http://www.gopetesgo.com/news.php?id=900. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  11. ^ "Ontario Hockey League Announces Rosters for the 2010 OHL All-Star Classic". Ontario Hockey League. 2010-01-13. http://www.ontariohockeyleague.com/ontario-hockey-league-announces-rosters-for-the-2010-ohl-all-star-classic-p140101. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  12. ^ "London Knights forward Nazem Kadri wins CHL Player of the Week Award". The Canadian Press. 2010-03-30. http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gYYKPhsLJSalE8HKKvc4lcB_eQXQ. Retrieved 2010-04-09. 
  13. ^ "Kadri named OHL player of the month". TSN.ca. 2010-04-01. http://www.tsn.ca/chl/story/?id=316328. Retrieved 2010-04-09. 
  14. ^ James, Peter (2009-09-27). "Kostitsyn, Kadri among those sent packing from NHL camps". CanWest News Service. http://www.faceoff.com/story.html?id=de92713c-125b-449d-be8c-25d2aea9c63c. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  15. ^ "Leafs call up Kadri". Toronto: The Globe and Mail. 2010-02-08. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-call-up-kadri/article1460593/. Retrieved 2010-02-08. 
  16. ^ http://www.nationalpost.com/Burke+Kadri+ready+contribute/3582553/story.html
  17. ^ McGran, Kevin (2010-09-26). "Leafs' Nazem Kadri under pressure to perform and build bridges". The Star (Toronto). http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/866646--leafs-nazem-kadri-under-pressure-to-perform-and-build-bridges. 
  18. ^ Mirtle, James (2010-11-12). "With Leafs in freefall, Kadri called into action". The Globe and Mail (Toronto). http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-beat/with-leafs-in-freefall-kadri-called-into-action/article1796897/. 
  19. ^ http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/11/16/predators_leafs/
  20. ^ a b c "Player Profile Nazem Kadri". Hockey Canada. http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php?ci_id=11737&la_id=1&ss_id=25001&player_id=10337. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  21. ^ Fisher, Scott (2010-01-01). "Shootouts not for faint of heart". Toronto Sun. http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/01/01/12317681-qmi.html. Retrieved 2010-01-21. 
  22. ^ "2010 Team Canada Stats". TSN. http://www.tsn.ca/world_jrs/feature/?id=14060. Retrieved 2010-01-18. 
  23. ^ Beacon, Bill and Donna Spencer (2010-01-04). "Canada’s Kadri stays quiet on refusal to shake Niederreiter’s hand". The Canadian Press. http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/juniorhockey/news?slug=capress-hko_world_jrnotebook-023642026&prov=capress&type=lgns. Retrieved 2010-01-18. 
  24. ^ a b Sekeres, Matthew (2010-01-04). "Kadri regrets reactions to Swiss". Toronto: The Globe and Mail. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/world-juniors/kadri-regrets-reactions-to-trash-talking-swiss/article1418983/. Retrieved 2010-01-18. 
  25. ^ a b "U.S. CAPTURES GOLD AT JUNIOR HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP WITH 6-5 OT WIN OVER CANADA". The Canadian Press. 2010-01-05. http://www.hockeycanada.ca/index.php/ci_id/69849/la_id/1.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-17. 
  26. ^ a b c McGran, Kevin (2009-06-27). "Maple Leafs get role model". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/657637. Retrieved 2010-01-18. 
  27. ^ a b Kimelman, Adam (2009-06-16). "Kadri's background as unique as his skill". National Hockey League. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=425702. Retrieved 2010-01-18. 
  28. ^ McGran, Kevin (2009-06-28). "Newest Leaf's hockey-mad home". Toronto Star. http://www.thestar.com/News/article/657858. Retrieved 2010-01-18. 

External links

Preceded by
Luke Schenn
Toronto Maple Leafs first round draft pick
2009
Succeeded by
Tyler Biggs
(2011)