Jason York

Jason Andrew York (born May 20, 1970 in Nepean, Ontario) is a former professional ice hockey player in the NHL and current broadcaster. A defenceman, he played for the Detroit Red Wings, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, and last playing for the Boston Bruins during the 2006–07 season. He is a hockey analyst on Montreal Canadiens' broadcasts on Sportsnet and as a radio host on TSN 1200 in Ottawa where he played for the Ottawa Senators.

Playing career

York was selected in the seventh round (129th overall) of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft 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 Fred Brathwaite of 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 in exchange 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 on October 1, 1996 with Shaun Van Allen in exchange for Ted Drury and the rights to Marc Moro. Then-Ottawa general manager (GM) Pierre Gauthier had gained familiarity with York in his previous job as Anaheim's assistant GM.

Playing in his hometown of 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 Senators' defencemen in scoring. 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's blueline 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 American Hockey League's (AHL) Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. Soon after his demotion, however, he was trade to the Nashville Predators 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 appearing in 49 games with 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 the eventual Stanley Cup finalist Washington Capitals).

Broadcasting career

Like former Senators' teammate Shaun Van Allen, York is a broadcaster on Ottawa's all-sports radio station, TSN 1200. During hockey season, he co-hosts the daily afternoon-drive show The Healthy Scratches with Steve Lloyd. In 2011, York also began appearing on Sportsnet television broadcasts of Ottawa Senators games, adding commentary with co-host Ian Mendes, and now with Shawn McKenzie. With the move of the Senators to TSN, York serves as a colour analyst for the Montreal Canadiens games with John Barlett.

Awards

• Named to the AHL First All-Star Team in 1994.

External links

• Jason York's career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database