Wikipedia

Daniel Girardi

Daniel Girardi (born April 29, 1984) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Undrafted, Girardi played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning as a stay-at-home defenseman. He is currently a development coach for the Buffalo Sabres.

Dan Girardi
Girardi with the Tampa Bay Lightning in May 2018
Born (1984-04-29) April 29, 1984 (age 40)
Welland, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 206 lb (93 kg; 14 st 10 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Right
Played for New York Rangers
Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2005–2019

Early life

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Girardi was born on April 29, 1984, in Welland, Ontario[1] to Carol and Mark Girardi.[2] He attended Glendale Public School and Welland Centennial Secondary School while competing with the local minor hockey team.[3] As a teenager, Girardi worked as a dishwasher for a local Chinese buffet restaurant.[4]

Playing career

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Junior

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Girardi played as a forward at the Atom level but was encouraged to switch to defence once he started Pee-Wee after struggling to score.[5] At the age of 15, Girardi competed with the Junior B Welland Cougars in the Golden Horseshoe Junior Hockey League.[3] He recorded two goal and 16 assists through 47 games with the Cougars[1] and was drafted by Barrie Colts in the 2000 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection.[3] During his first year with the Colts, Girardi split his time between the OHL and the Jr. A Couchiching Terriers.[6]

During an exhibition game before the 2001–02 season, Girardi suffered a lacerated spleen following a hit along the boards.[7] The injury caused him to become jaundiced and lose weight.[8] Girardi missed two-thirds of the season to recover[6] and was limited to only 21 games with the Colts.[1] His injury and limited playing time severely impacted his prospects in the NHL entry draft.[7] Girardi began the 2002–03 season with the Colts but was traded to the Guelph Storm after recording 16 points through 31 games.[9] He spent the remainder of the season with the Storm and was honoured with their Most Improved Player award.[10]

In the 2003–04 season, Girardi was named an assistant captain for Guelph[11] and set new career highs with eight goals and 39 assists.[1] His shutdown defensive methods in the OHL playoffs earned him the attention of New York Rangers scout Rich Brown. Brown was specifically impressed by Girardi's ability to defend against Corey Perry and the London Knights in the Finals.[12] Girardi recorded two goals and 17 assists in the playoffs en route to his first J. Ross Robertson Cup.[9]

Despite impressing the Rangers scout, Girardi went undrafted for a third time and returned to the Storm for the 2004–05 season. He recorded five goals and 20 assists with the Storm before being traded to the Knights[9] in exchange for left winger Rick Steadman and a 2nd round pick in the 2005 OHL Priority Selection.[13] After Girardi and the Knights won the for J. Ross Robertson Cup, Brown invited Rangers director of player personnel to watch his performance against Sidney Crosby in the 2005 Memorial Cup tournament.[12] Brown was further impressed after learning Girardi played the entire playoffs with a broken hand.[7]

Professional

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ECHL and AHL

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Following the Memorial Cup, Girardi was invited to the Rangers 2005 training camp as a free agent. He spent six days at the camp before being cut from the team.[14] Despondent by his lack of success, Girardi considered enrolling at Brock University and playing for the Brock Badgers ice hockey team.[7] However, he was then offered a two-way contract with the Rangers American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack, and the team's ECHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers.[14] He started the 2005–06 season with the Checkers but only played seven games before being recalled to the AHL as an injury replacement.[15] Between February 24 and March 4, Girardi maintained a six-game scoring streak, including four multiple-point games. He spent the remainder of the season in the AHL and finished with eight goals and 30 assists over 63 games. As such, he was named to the American Hockey League All-Rookie Team at the conclusion of the season.[16] As a free agent, Girardi signed a two-way NHL contract with the Rangers on July 1, 2006.[17]

New York Rangers (2006–2017)

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Girardi was called up by the Rangers on January 27, 2007, after an injury to Rangers defenceman Darius Kasparaitis, and made his NHL debut that night in a 2–1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. He played 11:58 minutes of ice time in the game and earned a minor penalty for interference.[11] Girardi remained in the NHL for the remainder of the season, playing in 34 games and recording 6 assists. He also played in 10 playoff games, going pointless as the Rangers lost in the second round 4–2 to the Buffalo Sabres.[1]

 
Girardi as a member of the New York Rangers in January 2011.

Girardi rejoined the Rangers for the 2007–08 season, where he ranked second among Rangers defencemen with 10 goals and 18 assists.[18]

On February 16, 2008, Girardi signed a two-year, $3.1 million contract extension with the Rangers.[19]

As a free agent, Girardi signed a four-year, $13.3 million contract with the Rangers on July 9, 2010.[20]

 
Girardi with the Rangers in October 2014.

For the 2011–12 season, Girardi was named an interim alternate captain for the Rangers while Marc Staal was recovering from post-concussion syndrome.[21] In Staal's absence, Girardi led all NHL skaters in average ice-time, averaging nearly 28 minutes per game.[12] Although he was originally left off of the 2012 National Hockey League All-Star Game roster,[22] Rangers fans launched a write-in campaign and earned him a roster spot.[7] Girardi scored his first playoff goal on April 26, 2012, against the Ottawa Senators in Game 7 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals to lead the Rangers to the Eastern Conference Finals.[23]

During the 2012–13 lockout-shortened season, Girardi was named an interim alternate captain for the Rangers a second time while Marc Staal was recovering from an injury.

During the 2013–14 season, on February 28, Girardi signed a six-year, $33 million extension with the Rangers. He was named an alternate captain for the Rangers for the remainder of the season when captain Ryan Callahan was traded at the NHL trade deadline to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Girardi's solid defensive play in the playoffs was a key part in the Rangers' run to the 2014 Stanley Cup Finals, where they lost in five games to the Los Angeles Kings.

Girardi became a permanent alternate captain during the 2014–15 season, and spent most of the season on the Rangers' top defensive pairing with captain Ryan McDonagh. Girardi's solid defensive play that season led to the Rangers winning the Presidents' Trophy, as well as a run to the Eastern Conference Final, where the Rangers lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning in seven games. Girardi suffered an injury in Game 1 of the first round series after taking a puck to the face.[24]

Girardi started the 2015–16 season strong, contributing to a 14–2–2 start to the 2015–16 season for the Rangers. Midway through the season, however, the Rangers production began declining, with many critics blaming Girardi for the slump.[25] He missed the final five games before the NHL paused for the holiday break, and later revealed it was due to a crack in his right kneecap.[26] Although the Rangers qualified for the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs, they were eliminated in the first round after five games.[27] Girardi played Game 1 of their first round series, but sat out of the next game due to a "whole body injury."[28] Girardi returned to the Rangers lineup for Game 5, where he recorded his only point of the playoffs.[27] Following their elimination, Girardi underwent ankle surgery to fix a bursa excision but was expected to recover in time to participate in the Rangers' 2015 training camp.[29]

Following the 2016–17 season, his 11th with the Rangers, due to a decline in play and salary cap considerations it was announced that Girardi would be bought out from the remaining three years of his contract on June 14, 2017.[30]

Tampa Bay Lightning (2017–2019)

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On July 1, 2017, Girardi signed as a free agent a two-year, $6 million deal with the Tampa Bay Lightning.[31] Girardi finished the 2017–18 season playing in 77 contests with six goals and 12 assists for 18 points. In game 4 of the second round in the 2018 playoffs, Girardi scored an overtime goal on Bruins' goaltender Tuukka Rask to give the Lightning the win and a 3–1 series lead over the Boston Bruins.[32] The Lightning would eventually defeat the Bruins in game five for a 4–1 series victory before getting defeated in seven games by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals in the third round, one win short from reaching the Stanley Cup Finals. Girardi would end the playoffs playing in all 17 games with two goals and an assists for three points recorded.

Girardi recorded four goals and 12 assists for 16 points in 62 games for the 2018–19 season as the Lightning would end the season winning their first Presidents' Trophy as the regular season champions for the first time in franchise history. In the 2019 playoffs, Girardi was held pointless in all four games played as the Lightning would unexpectedly get swept in the first round by the eighth seeded Columbus Blue Jackets. [33]

After going unsigned through the 2019 off-season, Girardi announced his retirement from hockey on September 20, 2019. Girardi retired 30th in playoff games played by a defenceman, and as the all-time leader in shots blocked, having blocked nearly 2,000 shots in his career (the league did not begin tracking blocked shots until 2005).[34]

Personal life

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Girardi and his wife Pam have two children together – a son and a daughter.[35]

Career statistics

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1999–2000 Welland Cougars GHL 47 2 16 18 14 — — — — —
2000–01 Couchiching Terriers OPJHL 27 1 11 12 27 — — — — —
2000–01 Barrie Colts OHL 6 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2000–01 Welland Cougars GHL 11 1 4 5 4 9 1 3 4 8
2001–02 Barrie Colts OHL 21 0 1 1 0 20 0 0 0 0
2002–03 Barrie Colts OHL 31 3 13 16 24 — — — — —
2002–03 Guelph Storm OHL 36 1 13 14 20 11 0 9 9 14
2003–04 Guelph Storm OHL 68 8 39 47 55 22 2 17 19 10
2004–05 Guelph Storm OHL 38 5 20 25 24 — — — — —
2004–05 London Knights OHL 31 4 10 14 14 18 0 6 6 10
2005–06 Charlotte Checkers ECHL 7 1 4 5 6 — — — — —
2005–06 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 66 8 31 39 44 13 4 5 9 8
2006–07 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 45 2 22 24 16 — — — — —
2006–07 New York Rangers NHL 34 0 6 6 8 10 0 0 0 4
2007–08 New York Rangers NHL 82 10 18 28 14 10 0 3 3 6
2008–09 New York Rangers NHL 82 4 18 22 53 7 0 0 0 6
2009–10 New York Rangers NHL 82 6 18 24 53 — — — — —
2010–11 New York Rangers NHL 80 4 27 31 37 5 0 0 0 0
2011–12 New York Rangers NHL 82 5 24 29 20 20 3 9 12 2
2012–13 New York Rangers NHL 46 2 12 14 16 12 2 2 4 2
2013–14 New York Rangers NHL 81 5 19 24 16 25 1 6 7 10
2014–15 New York Rangers NHL 82 4 16 20 22 19 0 4 4 4
2015–16 New York Rangers NHL 74 2 15 17 20 2 0 1 1 0
2016–17 New York Rangers NHL 63 4 11 15 16 12 0 2 2 2
2017–18 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 77 6 12 18 27 17 2 1 3 2
2018–19 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 62 4 12 16 12 4 0 0 0 4
NHL totals 927 56 208 264 314 143 8 28 36 42

Awards and honours

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Award Year Ref
NHL
NHL All-Star 2012
AHL
AHL All-Rookie team 2006 [16]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Dan Girardi". Elite Prospects. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  2. ^ Higgins, Matt (May 22, 2013). "A Bruin and a Ranger Share a Bond While Dividing a City". The New York Times. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Potrecz, Bill (May 6, 2024). "It's all Wellandgood for Girardi". bpsportsniagara.com. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  4. ^ Lomon, Chris (March 2, 2017). "Girardi credits roots for work ethic". NHLPA. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  5. ^ Klein, Jeff Z. (January 28, 2012). "Rangers' Girardi Rises From Free Agent to All-Star". The New York Times. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Dixon, Ryan (November 8, 2019). "Why Dan Girardi's retirement doesn't mean walking away from the game". Sportsnet. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d e Strang, Katie (December 1, 2011). "Dan Girardi rocks Rangers' blue line". ESPN. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  8. ^ Serby, Steve (November 14, 2014). "Dan Girardi talks Stanley Cup heartbreak, injuries and special bond with dad". New York Post. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  9. ^ a b c "Girardi and paving the way". Canadian Hockey League. November 23, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  10. ^ "[Alumni Bio] Daniel Girardi". Canadian Hockey League. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  11. ^ a b "Girardi Gets NHL Call-Up". Canadian Hockey League. January 27, 2007. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  12. ^ a b c Wharnsby, Tim (January 16, 2012). "From undrafted to All-Star Game, Girardi is a good story". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  13. ^ "Storm Acquire Two Players and Second Round Pick For Girardi". Canadian Hockey League. January 4, 2005. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  14. ^ a b Brooks, Larry (May 17, 2015). "How undrafted, reliable Dan Girardi saved Rangers' failed draft". New York Post. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  15. ^ Wharnsby, Tim (March 28, 2018). "Dan Girardi: Undrafted and unrelenting". NHLPA. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Daniel Girardi Named to AHL All-Rookie Team". niagarathisweek.com. April 14, 2006. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  17. ^ "Rangers sign C Cullen, D Rachunek, two others". ESPN. July 1, 2006. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  18. ^ Crawford, Bob (November 1, 2008). "Wolf Pack producing producers". American Hockey League. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  19. ^ "Wellander signs for two years". niagarathisweek.com. February 22, 2008. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  20. ^ "Rangers agree with Girardi, acquire Eminger". Newsday. July 9, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  21. ^ Brooks, Larry (October 28, 2011). "Rangers name Girardi alternate captain until Staal returns". New York Post. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  22. ^ Strang, Katie (November 11, 2011). "Torts on Girardi snub: NHL 'ass-backwards'". ESPN. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  23. ^ "Senators eliminated by Rangers in Game 7". Sportsnet. April 27, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  24. ^ Strang, Katie (April 17, 2015). "Rangers' Dan Girardi leaves after taking puck to face in Game 1 vs. Pens". ESPN. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  25. ^ Brooks, Larry (December 13, 2015). "Why the Rangers seemingly are a disaster in the making". New York Post. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  26. ^ Cyrgalis (December 27, 2015). "Rangers' Dan Girardi to return — with cracked kneecap reveal". New York Post. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  27. ^ a b Burnside, Scott (April 23, 2016). "Rapid Reaction: Pittsburgh Penguins 6, New York Rangers 3". ESPN. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  28. ^ Wyshynski, Greg (April 15, 2016). "Dan Girardi out of Game 2 with 'whole body' injury". Yahoo!. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  29. ^ "Rangers' Staal, Girardi have ankle surgery". Sportsnet. June 5, 2015. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  30. ^ "Rangers to buy out defenseman Dan Girardi". New York Rangers. June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  31. ^ "Lightning sign defenseman Dan Girardi to two-year contract". Tampa Bay Lightning. July 1, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  32. ^ @TBLightning (July 18, 2017). "Dan Girardi will wear No. 5 with the #Bolts" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  33. ^ Alex Prewitt (April 17, 2019). "Blue Jackets' All-In Approach Pays Off With Historic Sweep of Lightning". si.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
  34. ^ "Former Lightning, Rangers d-man Dan Girardi retires as NHL's blocked shots leader". CBC News. September 20, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
  35. ^ "A Message from Dan Girardi". NHL.com. June 14, 2017. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
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