Sheldon Souray: Difference between revisions

| caption = Souray with the [[Edmonton Oilers]] in September 2007

'''Sheldon Souray''' (born July 13, 1976) is a [[Canadians|Canadian]] former professional [[ice hockey]] [[defenceman]] who played 1314 seasons in the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) for the [[New Jersey Devils]], [[Montreal Canadiens]], [[Edmonton Oilers]], [[Dallas Stars]], and [[Anaheim Ducks]]. He was best known for his heavy [[slapshot]], once setting a previous unofficial NHL record for the hardest recorded shot at the Oilers' 2009 Skills Competition.<ref name=shot/>

Before playing in the NHL, Sheldon was a member of the [[Fort Saskatchewan Traders]] in the [[Alberta Junior Hockey League]] (AJHL). He was drafted in the [[1994 NHL Entry Draft]] in the third round, 71st overall, by the [[New Jersey Devils]]. Souray reported to his second Devils training camp overweight and out-of-shape, prompting general manager [[Lou Lamoriello]] called him embarrassing, and that he would never play for the team if it happened again. Souray credits Lamoriello for calling him out, and says it was exactly what he needed to succeed at such a high level.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theplayerstribune.com/articles/sheldon-souray-retirement-letter/|title=The Wannabe|last=Souray|first=Sheldon|date=July 10, 2015|website=The Players' Tribune|access-date=March 26, 2017|archive-date=March 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327080547/https://www.theplayerstribune.com/sheldon-souray-retirement-letter/|url-status=live}}</ref> He made his NHL debut in the [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98 season]]. He finished his rookie season with modest scoring totals of three goals and ten points in 60 games, but most importantly established that he was capable of being an NHL regular. He scored his first NHL goal on a powerful slapshot late in a December 16, 1997, game against the rival [[New York Rangers]] to break a 3–3 tie late in the third period and send the Devils to a 4–3 win.<ref>{{cite web|title=1997-98 Sheldon Souray's First NHL Goal|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TM8Q-1N37I|publisher=Sportschannel NY/FSNY/MSG|access-date=2016-11-28|archive-date=2017-04-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407211430/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2TM8Q-1N37I|url-status=live}}</ref> Souray played in New Jersey from 1997 to midway through the [[1999–2000 NHL season|1999–2000 season]], earning a reputation as a big, steady, physical defender with a mean streak and a hard shot. However, with the Devils preparing to make their [[Stanley Cup]] run late in the 1999–2000 season and believing they needed more offence from the blue line, Souray was traded to the [[Montreal Canadiens]] on March 1, 2000, in exchange for [[Vladimir Malakhov (ice hockey)|Vladimir Malakhov]].

In [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09]], he bounced back from the injury-shortened campaign to record 23 goals and 53 points and once again become an [[57th National Hockey League All-Star Game|NHL All-Star]]. He finished third in the hardest shot competition that year, clocking in at 102.3&nbsp;mph, behind [[Shea Weber]] (103.4) of the [[Nashville Predators]], and winner Zdeno Chára (105.4) of the [[Boston Bruins]]. But during the Oilers' own 2009 Skills Competition, on January 4, Souray set the then-unofficial NHL record for the hardest shot. Clocked at 106.7&nbsp;mph, his slapshot beat [[Chad Kilger]]'s old unofficial record of 106.6&nbsp;mph set at the Toronto Maple Leafs' 2006 Skills Competition.<ref name=shot>{{cite web|title=Surprise winner in skills test|url=http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/teams/story.html?id=1142177|access-date=2009-04-13|date=2009-01-05|publisher=Faceoff}}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The record was deemed unofficial, however, as the League does not recognize individual team Skills Competitions and instead goes by the [[National Hockey League All-Star Game|NHL All-Star Game]]'s Skills Competition results. Souray's unofficial shot was not surpassed until January 28, 2012, by Chára, whose 108.8&nbsp;mph slapshot in the Skills Competition preceding the [[59th National Hockey League All-Star Game|2012 All-Star Game]] beat Souray's blast and set the official record.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chara's record shot caps NHL's Saturday All-Star festivities|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/allstar/2009-01-24-nhl-all-star-saturday_N.htm|access-date=2009-04-13|date=2009-01-25|publisher=Faceoff|first=Kevin|last=Allen|archive-date=2009-03-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320040842/http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/allstar/2009-01-24-nhl-all-star-saturday_N.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Souray also earned a humorous nickname during his strong 2008–09 season, when during the third period of a 5–2 victory over the [[Dallas Stars]] on December 3, 2008, the Stars' broadcast team referred to Souray as the "Studly Wonderbomb" as a recognition of his slapshot's prowess.

In [[2009–10 NHL season|2009–10]] injuries resurfaced. Three games into the season, Souray suffered a [[concussion]] after [[Calgary Flames]] captain [[Jarome Iginla]] checked him into the boards head-first on October 8, 2009. The injury, coupled with a hand injury (and subsequent infection) sustained on January 30, 2010, when Souray fought Iginla during a rematch of the teams, limited him to just 37 games, with Souray scoring just four goals and 13 points in the campaign.

During the 2010 off-season, citing irreconcilable differences with Oiler management due to their handling of his various ailments, Souray requested a trade out of Edmonton.<ref>{{cite news|title=Exclusive: Sheldon Souray asks to be traded|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/04/12/souray_request/|access-date=2012-01-31|date=2010-04-12|publisher=Sportsnet.ca|first=Mark|last=Spector|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115164218/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/04/12/souray_request/|archive-date=2012-01-15|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Oilers responded angrily, and a nasty media exchange followed,<ref>{{cite news|title=Quinn on Souray Request:'Get the hell out'|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/04/13/quinn_on_souray_request/|access-date=2012-01-31|date=2010-04-13|publisher=Sportsnet.ca|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819053605/http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/04/13/quinn_on_souray_request/|archive-date=2010-08-19|url-status=dead}}</ref> with the team ultimately placing Souray on waivers in the hope that he would be claimed by another NHL team so that Edmonton would no longer be on the hook for the remainder of his contract. However, due to his high salary and previous year's injuries, few NHL teams were willing to take such a large financial risk on a player who might not be 100% healthy, talented as he may be. Souray cleared waivers without being claimed, and was told by management not to attend the Oilers' training camp. On October 6, 2010, Souray was assigned to the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL), being loaned to the [[Washington Capitals]]' minor league affiliate, the [[Hershey Bears]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Souray skating, hopes to be able to practice with team soon|url=http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/teams/edmonton-oilers/story.html?id=2191727&add_feed_url=http://www.faceoff.com/scripts/SP6Atom.aspx?id=898337|access-date=2009-11-12|date=2009-11-06|newspaper=[[Edmonton Journal]]}}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Souray accepted his demotion to the minors and posted a solid AHL season, as he battled and slowly recovered from his nagging injuries. Leading up to the [[NHL trade deadline]], the Oilers once again placed Souray on waivers in a second attempt to unload his salary. However, NHL teams still had the same concerns about Souray's high salary and injury risk, so he cleared waivers a second time and remained under contract to Edmonton as relations between Souray and the Edmonton camp remained testy at best.<ref>{{cite news|title=Veteran defenceman Souray clears waivers; future uncertain|url=http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=354799|access-date=2011-02-21|date=2011-02-21|publisher=[[The Sports Network]]|archive-date=2011-02-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110224031934/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=354799|url-status=live}}</ref> Finally, in the summer of 2011, Edmonton bought-out the fifth and final year of Souray's contract. This allowed Souray to become a free agent and again pursue playing at the NHL level with another team.

After becoming a free agent, Souray was signed by the [[Dallas Stars]] on July 1, 2011, to a one-year contract.<ref name="https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=25880">{{cite web | url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=25880 | title=NHL sortable UFA tracker | publisher=[[The Sports Network]] | access-date=2011-07-01 | date=2011-07-01 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629095253/http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=25880# | archive-date=2011-06-29 | url-status=dead }}</ref> Having recovered from his injuries, Souray made a successful comeback with the Stars, taking on more of a defensive role than in the recent past, particularly at even strength. However, he continued to still see plenty of ice time on the power play, where his slapshot could wreak havoc for opposing goaltenders, and was encouraged to use his shot as before. The Stars, meanwhile, while recognizing Souray's physical style, also openly declared that in order to preserve his health, they did not want him fighting very often, although they did not go so far as to dictate directly for him to never do so.<ref>{{cite news|title=Souray thriving in Dallas|url=https://montrealgazette.com/sports/Souray+thriving+Dallas/5758232/story.html|access-date=2012-01-31|date=2011-11-23|newspaper=[[Montreal Gazette]]}}{{Dead link|date=August 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> On November 4, 2011, Souray reached a milestone when he scored the 100th NHL goal of his career in a 7–6 win over the [[Colorado Avalanche]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Eriksson's OT goal lifts Stars past Avs 7-6|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap?gid=2011110409|access-date=2012-01-31|date=2011-11-05|publisher=[[Yahoo]]|archive-date=2011-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108012730/http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap?gid=2011110409|url-status=live}}</ref> Fittingly, it was a power play goal scored with a slapshot. Souray earned the respect of fans, teammates and local media in Dallas very quickly for his physical style of play and booming shot, and restored some of the goodwill that had been lost due to his spat with the Oilers.<ref>{{cite web|title=After emancipation from Oilers, Sheldon Souray stars in Dallas|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/after-emancipation-from-oilers-sheldon-souray-stars-in-dallas?urn=nhl,wp15291|publisher=Yahoo|author=Greg Wyshynski|access-date=2012-01-31|date=2011-10-20|archive-date=2016-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305122010/http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/after-emancipation-from-oilers-sheldon-souray-stars-in-dallas?urn=nhl,wp15291|url-status=live}}</ref> Most importantly, Souray was regularly healthy again. Despite missing a handful of games after sustaining an ankle injury blocking a shot in a December 23, 2011, win over the [[Nashville Predators]], he had returned to the Dallas lineup by early January and was again a contributing member of their blueline corps. He finished the [[2011–12 NHL season|2011–12 season]] with six goals, 15 assists and 21 points in 64 games.

On July 1, 2012, Souray signed a three-year, $11 million contract with the [[Anaheim Ducks]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/01/4603746/ducks-sign-d-sheldon-souray-to.html | title = Ducks sign Sheldon Souray to three-year deal | website = sacbee.com | date = 2012-07-01 | access-date = 2012-07-01 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = httphttps://espnwww.goespn.com/los-angeles/nhl/story/_/id/8120685/2012-nhl-free-agency-anaheim-ducks-sign-sheldon-souray-three-year-contract | title = Anaheim Ducks sign free agent defenseman Sheldon Souray | publisher = [[ESPN]] | date = 2012-07-01 | access-date = 2012-07-01 | archive-date = 2012-07-05 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120705014547/http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nhl/story/_/id/8120685/2012-nhl-free-agency-anaheim-ducks-sign-sheldon-souray-three-year-contract | url-status = live }}</ref> During the [[2012–13 NHL lockout|lockout]]-shortened [[2012–13 NHL season|2012–13 season]], he remained healthy and carried his strong defensive play over from Dallas, posting a career-best [[Plus-minus (ice hockey)|plus-minus rating]] of +19. He also continued to use his powerful shot to the tune of seven goals and ten assists in 44 games as the Ducks qualified for the [[2013 Stanley Cup playoffs]]. For Souray, this was the first time since [[2005–06 NHL Season|2005–06]] that he was part of the [[Stanley Cup playoffs]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=669444 | title=Playoffs latest stop on Souray's path back to NHL | access-date=2013-05-11 | archive-date=2013-05-09 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509031953/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=669444 | url-status=live }}</ref> His final point of the regular season, an assist in a 3–2 overtime loss to the [[Columbus Blue Jackets]] on April 17, 2013, was also a personal milestone for Souray, his 300th career NHL point. As ofBy January 2014, Souray iswas placed on the injured reserve list with a shoulder/wrist injury. He appeared on their roster until he announced his retirement on June 30, 2015 after two years of being an unrestricted free agent.<ref>{{cite magazine | url = http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/player.php?256 | title = Sheldon Souray player profile | magazine = [[The Hockey News]] | date = 2015-06-07 | access-date = 2015-06-07 | archive-date = 2015-07-02 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150702104942/http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/player.php?256 | url-status = live }}</ref>

Souray was born in [[Elk Point, Alberta]], to Richard Souray and Lillian Parenteau. He is of [[Métis people (Canada)|Métis]] descent and has one sister, who is two years older. At a young age, Souray moved with his family from Fishing Lake Métis Settlement to a small community in Alberta in order for his sister to attend school. In another two years, they moved again so that Souray could play organized sports. While still in elementary school, Souray's parents divorced; he first lived with his mother before moving in with his father at age nine. Growing up, he attended [[Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School]] with former fellow Oiler [[Fernando Pisani]]. Souray has a tattoo of a [[Métis people (Canada)|Métis]] Chief in full headdress on his arm. He says the tattoo is meant as a reminder to himself to be a positive role model for Native and [[Métis people (Canada)|Métis]] children, as he himself is proud of his [[Métis people (Canada)|Métis]] heritage.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/the-sheldon-souray-file/article1106529/|title=The Sheldon Souray File|last=Pattfield|date=October 2, 2006|website=The Globe and Mail|access-date=September 11, 2017|archive-date=March 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170327081013/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/the-sheldon-souray-file/article1106529/|url-status=live}}</ref>

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