James Wisniewski

James Wisniewski
Born	February 21, 1984 (1984-02-21) Canton, MI, USA
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position	Defense
Shoots	Right
NHL team Former teams	Columbus Blue Jackets Chicago Blackhawks Anaheim Ducks New York Islanders Montreal Canadiens
National team	United States
NHL Draft	156th overall, 2002 Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career	2004–present

James Joseph Wisniewski (born February 21, 1984) is an American professional ice hockey player, an alternate captain for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League.

Playing career

Wisniewski started his junior hockey career with his hometown Plymouth Whalers of the OHL, in 2000. He improved every year significantly, and was drafted in the 5th round by the Blackhawks in 2002. At the start of the 2003–04 season, he was named captain of the Whalers. Wielding a child in his arms and an incredible desire to win, his rocket slap-shot (good for 17 goals, 11 on the power-play), "Wiz" arguably has one of the best defensive shots in the NHL. He finished 24th in overall scoring with 70 points, but 3rd among defenseman, short 6 points of Kingston Frontenacs defenseman Bryan Rodney. However, Wisniewski played in 17 fewer games, playing in only 50 to Rodney's 67 (in a 68 game season). For his work, Wisniewski was awarded the OHL's 2004 Max Kaminsky Trophy as most outstanding defenceman. The accolades didn't stop there, as Wisniewski also took home the parent league, CHL's Defenseman of the Year award. This recognition gained Wisniewski a contract with Chicago, and a jump to the AHL's Norfolk Admirals.

Wisniewski was called up early to the Blackhawks in the 2006–07 season and stuck with the Blackhawks. James tore his ACL during the 1st period against Los Angeles on March 5, 2007. He was placed on injured reserve and missed the rest of the season.

On March 4, 2009, Wisniewski was traded by the Blackhawks along with Petri Kontiola to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Samuel Pahlsson and Logan Stephenson.

In the 2009–10 season, Wisniewski entrenched himself in the Ducks defense corps and established a career-high 30 points in 69 games. On March 17, 2010, in a game against former team, the Blackhawks, Wisniewski delivered a retaliation hit to Brent Seabrook, his former teammate and good friend, driving his head against the glass. Wisniewski received an eight-game suspension for his hit. The last player to receive an 8 game suspension was former Duck Chris Pronger.

On July 30, 2010, Wisniewski was traded by the Ducks to the New York Islanders for a conditional 3rd-round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

On October 12, 2010, he was suspended for two games for making an obscene gesture towards Sean Avery.

On December 28, 2010, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens for second-round pick in the 2011 draft and conditional 5th round pick in the 2012 draft.

On June 29, 2011, his rights were traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2012. The pick would become a fifth-rounder if Columbus signed him. He signed a 6-year/$33 million contract with the Blue Jackets on July 1.

On September 26, 2011, Wisniewski was suspended for the remainder of the preseason, and 8 regular season games by the NHL for a hit to the head of Cal Clutterbuck on September 23 after the end of regulation.

Awards and achievements

• 2000–01 OHL First All-Rookie Team
• 2003–04 OHL First All-Star Team
• 2003–04 OHL Max Kaminsky Trophy
• 2003–04 CHL First All-Star Team
• 2003–04 CHL Defenceman of the Year

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2000–01	Plymouth Whalers	OHL		53	6	23	29	72		19	3	10	13	34
2001–02	Plymouth Whalers	OHL		62	11	25	36	100		6	1	2	3	6
2002–03	Plymouth Whalers	OHL		52	18	34	52	60		18	2	10	12	14
2003–04	Plymouth Whalers	OHL		50	17	53	70	63		9	3	7	10	8
2004–05	Norfolk Admirals	AHL		66	7	18	25	110		5	1	3	4	2
2005–06	Norfolk Admirals	AHL		61	7	28	35	67		4	1	2	3	6
2005–06	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		19	2	5	7	36		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Norfolk Admirals	AHL		10	0	6	6	8		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		50	2	8	10	39		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		68	7	19	26	103		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Rockford IceHogs	AHL		2	3	1	4	0		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		31	2	11	13	14		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Anaheim Ducks	NHL		17	1	10	11	16		12	1	2	3	10
2009–10	Anaheim Ducks	NHL		69	3	27	30	56		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	New York Islanders	NHL		32	3	18	21	18		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		43	7	23	30	20		6	0	2	2	7
NHL totals				329	27	121	148	302		18	1	4	5	17

Medal record
Wisniewski at the 2008 IIHF World Championship
Competitor for United States
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Gold	2004 Helsinki
World U18 Championships
Gold	2002 Trnava

International

Year	Team	Comp	GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2002	United States	WJC18	3	1	2	3	6
2003	United States	WJC	7	0	4	4	6
2004	United States	WJC	6	2	3	5	4
2008	United States	WC	6	1	2	3	6
Junior int'l totals			16	3	9	12	16
Senior int'l totals			6	1	2	3	6

Personal

Wisniewski attended the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park for High School

Wisniewski started a clothing line called WizWear. According to Wisniewski, "I always like to dress nice and have my own style. We support the USO of Illinois, the families of fallen soldiers. I wanted to do something a little bit different to set up for a charity than a golf tournament or bowling event. It's something I can have a little bit of fun with also." Both of his grandfathers fought in World War II.

Wisniewski is the nephew of former NHL player and coach Billy Dea.

External links

• JamesWisniewski.com
• James Wisniewski's Blog
• James Wisniewski's Clothing Line: WIZ Wear
• James Wisniewski's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database