James Wisniewski

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James Wisniewski

Wisniewski with the Blue Jackets in 2013
Born (1984-02-21) February 21, 1984
Canton, MI, USA
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position Defense
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams 		Columbus Blue Jackets
Chicago Blackhawks
Anaheim Ducks
New York Islanders
Montreal Canadiens
National team  United States
NHL Draft 156th overall, 2002
Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career 2004–present

James Joseph Wisniewski (born February 21, 1984) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman, currently playing for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League. He has previously played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Anaheim Ducks, New York Islanders, and Montreal Canadiens.

Playing career

Early Years

Wisniewski started his junior hockey career with his hometown Plymouth Whalers of the OHL, in 2000. He improved every year significantly, and was drafted in the 5th round by the Blackhawks in 2002. At the start of the 2003–04 season, he was named captain of the Whalers. Wielding powerful arms and an incredible desire to win, his rocket slap-shot (good for 17 goals, 11 on the power-play), "Wiz" arguably has one of the best defensive shots in the NHL. He finished 24th in overall scoring with 70 points, but 3rd among defenseman, short 6 points of Kingston Frontenacs defenseman Bryan Rodney. However, Wisniewski played in 17 fewer games, playing in only 50 to Rodney's 67 (in a 68-game season). For his work, Wisniewski was awarded the OHL's 2004 Max Kaminsky Trophy as most outstanding defenceman. The accolades didn't stop there, as Wisniewski also took home the parent league, CHL's Defenseman of the Year award.[1] This recognition gained Wisniewski a contract with Chicago, and a jump to the AHL's Norfolk Admirals.

Wisniewski was called up early to the Blackhawks in the 2006–07 season and stuck with the Blackhawks. James tore his ACL during the 1st period against Los Angeles on March 5, 2007. He was placed on injured reserve and missed the rest of the season.

Anaheim Ducks

On March 4, 2009, Wisniewski was traded by the Blackhawks along with Petri Kontiola to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Samuel Pahlsson and Logan Stephenson.[2]

In the 2009–10 season, Wisniewski entrenched himself in the Ducks defense corps and established a career-high 30 points in 69 games. On March 17, 2010, in a game against former team, the Blackhawks, Wisniewski delivered a retaliation hit to Brent Seabrook, his former teammate and good friend, driving his head against the glass. Wisniewski received an eight-game suspension for his hit. The last player to receive an 8-game suspension was former Duck Chris Pronger.[3]

Islanders and Canadiens

Wisniewski in 2011 during his tenure with the Montreal Canadiens

On July 30, 2010, Wisniewski was traded by the Ducks to the New York Islanders for a conditional 3rd-round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.[4]

On October 12, 2010, he was suspended for two games for making an obscene gesture towards Sean Avery.[5]

On December 28, 2010, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens for second-round pick in the 2011 draft and conditional 5th round pick in the 2012 draft.[6] He scored seven goals to go with 23 assists in 43 games with the Canadiens, as well as two assists in six playoff games.

Columbus Blue Jackets

With the Blue Jackets in 2013

On June 29, 2011, his rights were traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2012. The pick would become a fifth-rounder if Columbus signed him.[7] He signed a 6-year/$33 million contract with the Blue Jackets on July 1.[8]

On September 26, 2011, Wisniewski was suspended for the remainder of the preseason, and 8 regular season games by the NHL for a hit to the head of Cal Clutterbuck on September 23 after the end of regulation.[9] In an injury shortened 2011-12 NHL season, Wisniewski appeared in 48 games with Columbus, scoring six goals along with 21 assists as the Blue Jackets finished well out of the playoff hunt.

Awards and achievements

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2000–01 Plymouth Whalers OHL 53 6 23 29 72 19 3 10 13 34
2001–02 Plymouth Whalers OHL 62 11 25 36 100 6 1 2 3 6
2002–03 Plymouth Whalers OHL 52 18 34 52 60 18 2 10 12 14
2003–04 Plymouth Whalers OHL 50 17 53 70 63 9 3 7 10 8
2004–05 Norfolk Admirals AHL 66 7 18 25 110 5 1 3 4 2
2005–06 Norfolk Admirals AHL 61 7 28 35 67 4 1 2 3 6
2005–06 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 19 2 5 7 36 — — — — —
2006–07 Norfolk Admirals AHL 10 0 6 6 8 — — — — —
2006–07 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 50 2 8 10 39 — — — — —
2007–08 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 68 7 19 26 103 — — — — —
2008–09 Rockford IceHogs AHL 2 3 1 4 0 — — — — —
2008–09 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 31 2 11 13 14 — — — — —
2008–09 Anaheim Ducks NHL 17 1 10 11 16 12 1 2 3 10
2009–10 Anaheim Ducks NHL 69 3 27 30 56 — — — — —
2010–11 New York Islanders NHL 32 3 18 21 18 — — — — —
2010–11 Montreal Canadiens NHL 43 7 23 30 20 6 0 2 2 7
2011–12 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 48 6 21 27 37 — — — — —
2012–13 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 30 5 9 14 15 — — — — —
NHL totals 407 38 151 189 354 18 1 4 5 17

Wisniewski at the 2008 IIHF World Championship
Medal record
Competitor for  United States
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Gold 2004 Helsinki
World U18 Championships
Gold 2002 Trnava

International

Year Team Comp GP G A Pts PIM
2002 United States WJC18 3 1 2 3 6
2003 United States WJC 7 0 4 4 6
2004 United States WJC 6 2 3 5 4
2008 United States WC 6 1 2 3 6
Junior int'l totals 16 3 9 12 16
Senior int'l totals 6 1 2 3 6

Personal

Wisniewski attended Canton High School in Canton, MI

Wisniewski started a clothing line called WizWear. According to Wisniewski, "I always like to dress nice and have my own style. We support the USO of Illinois, the families of fallen soldiers. I wanted to do something a little bit different to set up for a charity than a golf tournament or bowling event. It's something I can have a little bit of fun with also." Both of his grandfathers fought in World War II.[10]

Wisniewski is the nephew of former NHL player and coach Billy Dea.[11]

Wisniewski has a polish background.[12]

References

  1. ↑ "Wisniewski is CHL defenceman of the year". CHL.com. 2004-05-06. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-11-10. 
  2. ↑ "'Hawks get veteran center Pahlsson". nhl.com. 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2009-03-04. 
  3. ↑ "NHL suspends Wisniewski 8 games". ESPN. 2010-03-17. Retrieved 2010-05-10. 
  4. ↑ ISLANDERS ACQUIRE WISNIEWSKI FROM ANAHEIM
  5. ↑ ISLES' WISNIEWSKI SUSPENDED TWO GAMES FOR OBSCENE GESTURE
  6. ↑ "Habs acquire James Wisniewski from the Islanders". Montreal Canadiens. 2010-12-28. Retrieved 2010-12-28. 
  7. ↑ "Habs trade Wisniewski's rights to Blue Jackets for draft pick". The Sports Network. 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2011-06-29. 
  8. ↑ "Defenseman Wisniewski inks six-year deal with Blue Jackets". The Sports Network. Retrieved 1 July 2011. 
  9. ↑ http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=Ar8BfeKR3lmrlbvZ5o9Eyv57vLYF?slug=ap-wild-staubitzsuspended
  10. ↑ Kuc, Chris (2008-12-25). "Blackhawks' James Wisniewski starts fashion line for charity". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2009-01-10. 
  11. ↑ Pat Hickey (2011-01-18). "Defenceman Wisniewski brings badly needed dose of power-play magic after loss of markov and gorges". The Gazette. Retrieved 2011-02-05. 
  12. ↑ http://www.jameswisniewski.com/wiz-wear

External links

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