- Derek Meech
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Derek Meech 
Born April 21, 1984
Winnipeg, MB, CANHeight 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Weight 197 lb (89 kg; 14 st 1 lb) Position Defence and left wing Shoots Left NHL team
Former teamsWinnipeg Jets
Detroit Red WingsNHL Draft 229nd overall, 2002
Detroit Red WingsPlaying career 2006–present Derek Meech (born April 21, 1984) is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman and winger for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League.
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Playing career
Meech played his junior hockey for the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League. There, he teamed with future NHL star Dion Phaneuf as the team's top defensive pairing. On June 23, 2002, he was drafted 229th overall in the 7th round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
Meech made his NHL debut on December 7, 2006 at Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan against the St. Louis Blues. He played in 4 NHL games during the 2006–07 NHL season. While playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, Meech was named an All Star after posting 6 goals, and 23 assists (29 points) in 67 games.
Meech was named to the Red Wings final roster during training camp prior to the 2007–08 NHL season. He would have been exposed to waivers had he been sent to the minor leagues, which factored into the team's decision.
In 2008, Meech was named "Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year" by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters' Association for his play in the 2007–08 season. Based on the system the Red Wings employ, Meech has sometimes been used as a left winger. His versatility to play both forward and defenseman has led to extra playing time.
Despite not playing the minimum 40 games (Meech only played 32) and not a minute in the playoffs, Meech had his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, due to a successful petition to the NHL by the Detroit Red Wings organization.
Meech scored his first career NHL goal with the Detroit Red Wings on December 4, 2008 against Curtis Sanford of the Vancouver Canucks.
On September 8, 2010, Meech was placed on waivers by the Red Wings.[1] Unclaimed, Meech was assigned to the Griffins for the duration of the 2010–11 season.
Meech signed a two-way contract with the Winnipeg Jets on July 1, 2011.[2]
Career statistics
Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1999–00 Red Deer Rebels WHL 5 1 0 1 2 — — — — — 2000–01 Red Deer Rebels WHL 60 2 7 9 40 22 0 0 0 9 2001–02 Red Deer Rebels WHL 71 8 19 27 33 13 1 1 2 6 2002–03 Red Deer Rebels WHL 65 6 16 22 53 12 1 1 2 12 2003–04 Red Deer Rebels WHL 62 10 28 38 40 19 4 7 11 10 2004–05 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 78 6 8 14 40 — — — — — 2005–06 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 79 4 16 20 85 16 0 2 2 4 2006–07 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 67 6 23 29 40 7 0 1 1 4 2006–07 Detroit Red Wings NHL 4 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 2007–08 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 6 1 1 2 0 — — — — — 2007–08 Detroit Red Wings NHL 32 0 3 3 6 — — — — — 2008–09 Detroit Red Wings NHL 41 2 5 7 12 2 0 0 0 0 2009–10 Detroit Red Wings NHL 49 2 4 6 19 — — — — — 2010–11 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 74 10 27 37 81 — — — — — NHL totals 126 4 12 16 39 2 0 0 0 0 References
- ^ "Kirk Maltby re-signs with Red Wings, Derek Meech heads to waivers". nhlhotstove.com. 2010-09-08. http://nhlhotstove.com/kirk-maltby-re-signs-with-wings-derek-meech-heads-to-waivers/. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
- ^ "NHL Free Agent Tracker". The Sports Network. http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=25880. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
External links
Categories:- 1984 births
- Canadian ice hockey defencemen
- Detroit Red Wings draft picks
- Detroit Red Wings players
- Grand Rapids Griffins players
- Ice hockey people from Manitoba
- Living people
- Red Deer Rebels alumni
- Stanley Cup champions
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