Brian Rolston

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size = 270px
team = New Jersey Devils
former_teams = Minnesota Wild
Boston Bruins
Colorado Avalanche
league = NHL
position = Left Wing
shoots = Left
height_ft = 6
height_in = 2
weight_lb = 214
nickname = Rolly
nationality = USA
birth_date = birth date and age|1973|02|21
birth_place = Flint, MI, U.S.
draft = 11th Overall
draft_year = 1991
draft_team = New Jersey Devils
career_start = 1993

Brian Rolston (born February 21, 1973 in Flint, Michigan) is a professional ice hockey player for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League.

Playing career

Rolston is considered a utility forward, as he can play as a centre, left wing and right wing competently. The 6'2', 214 pound lefty is best known for his highly regarded two-way ability.

Rolston was drafted in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils as their first overall pick. He has played for the New Jersey Devils, the Colorado Avalanche and then was traded to the Boston Bruins. He scored a then career high 62 points, including an impressive 9 shorthanded goals in 2001-02 with the Bruins. Within his career he has scored a total of 33 shorthanded goals.

Brian Rolston signed with the Minnesota Wild as an unrestricted free agent on July 8, 2004, though his debut with the Wild didn't take place until the 2005–06 season due to the 2004–05 NHL lockout. Rolston often quarterbacked the Minnesota Wild's powerplay (a task normally given to a defenceman) due to his booming shot from the point and strong two-way ability. During the season, he was an on-ice leader and was one of the Minnesota Wild's top scorers, scoring a new career high of 79 points. He was named as team captain for the Minnesota Wild for February, October, November 2006 and January 2007. During 2006–07, Rolston scored three goals (one on a penalty shot and two in overtime shootouts), using a slapshot from the slot.

He won a Stanley Cup Championship with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, and the World Cup of Hockey in 1996 playing for Team USA. In the Salt Lake City Olympics of 2002, he won the Silver Medal playing for the United States men's hockey team.

Prior to his NHL career, Rolston played for Lake Superior State University (where as a freshman he scored the game winning goal and earned Most Outstanding Player honors in the National Championship game, which his team won), then the Albany River Rats of the AHL.

Rolston has represented the United States of America three times in Olympic competition for Ice Hockey.

Rolston was selected for the 2006–07 NHL Western Conference All-Star Team. During the game Rolston scored 2 goals and added 2 assists.

On June 29 2008, Rolston's negotiating rights were traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in return for a conditional draft pick in 2009 or 2010. [ [http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=242048&lid=sublink02&lpos=headlines_main Wild trade forward Rolston's rights to Lightning ] ]

On July 1,2008, New Jersey signed Rolston to a four year deal worth $20 million.

Brian has three sons, Ryder Scott, Brody and Stone.

Awards & Achievements

*1991–92: National Championship All-Tournament (NCAA)
*1992–93: First All-Star Team (CCHA)
*1994–95: Winner of NHL Stanley Cup with New Jersey Devils
*1995–96: Winner of International World Cup of Hockey
*1992–93: West Second All-American Team (NCAA)
*1992–93: Winner of Tampere Cup
*2001–02: Silver Medal in 2002 XIX Olympic Winter Games
*2006–07: Western Conference All-Star Team (National Hockey League)

Career statistics

"Stats as of May 1, 2008."

International Play

*1994 - Played for the United States in the XVII Olympic Winter Games
*1996 - Played for the United States in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey
*2002 - Played for the United States in the XIX Olympic Winter Games
*2004 - Played for the United States in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey
*2006 - Played for the United States in the XX Olympic Winter Games

References

External links

*hockeydb|4643