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| NUMBER: | 18 |
| HEIGHT: | 6' 2" |
| WEIGHT: | 208 |
| SHOOTS: | Left |
| BIRTHDATE: | 09/03/1987 |
| AGE: | 25 |
| BIRTHPLACE: | Whitby, ON, CAN |
| DRAFTED: | DAL: 2005-33 overall |
| OHL First All-Star Team (2007) Canadian Major Junior Second All-Star Team (2007) NHL First All-Star Team (2012) Played in NHL All-Star Game (2012) Traded to Pittsburgh by Dallas with Matt Niskanen for Alex Goligoski, February 21, 2011. |
| Strong, young power forward that can play physical. Nickname - “Nealer” Played 3 NHL seasons with Dallas and Pittsburgh. Scored 20-plus goals in each of his 1st 3 seasons. Broke into NHL in 2008-09 at 21 years old, scoring 24 goals and 37 points in rookie campaign - 1st Stars rookie to score 20 goals since the franchise moved to Dallas. Played in 2009 YoungStars Game as part of NHL All-Star Weekend. Proved to be a clutch shootout performer for the Penguins in ‘10-11 after arriving from Dallas. He converted 3 of his 4 attempts (75%), including a pair of game-deciding goals in a 3-game stretch from March 21-27, 2011. Scored 1st career NHL playoff goal as a Penguin in dramatic fashion with a double-overtime game-winner in Game 4 of 2011 opening-round contest against Tampa Bay. Originally drafted by Dallas in the 2nd round (33rd overall) in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Won a gold medal with Canada at the 2007 World Junior Championships. Represented his country in 2009 and ‘11 World Championships, 2007 World Junior Championships and 2005 Under-18 World Junior Championships. Played 3-plus seasons with Plymouth of the Ontario Hockey League from 2003-07. Named OHL First-Team All-Star and OHL’s Best Checker in 2007. Played in ‘07 OHL All-Star Game and ADT Russia-Canada Challenge. Younger brother, Michael, was a 5th-round pick (149th overall) by Dallas at 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Signed through 2017-18 season. |