Nick Stajduhar
Encyclopedia
Nick Stajduhar is a former professional ice hockey
defenceman. He was selected by the Edmonton Oilers
in the first round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
, 16th overall, a pick the Oilers received from the Los Angeles Kings
in the Wayne Gretzky
trade.
Stajduhar only played two games for Edmonton, largely bouncing around the minor leagues, including three years in the East Coast Hockey League with the Pensacola Ice Pilots
, as well as even lower level play with the Memphis Riverkings
of the Central Hockey League
and the Flint Generals
of the United Hockey League
.
Although there were serious questions about Stajduhar's attitude and its effect on his career, especially during his time in the ECHL, other factors also came into play. Although Stajduhar was a physical, offense-minded defenceman during his junior years (with the OHL
's London Knights
), his play went into a sharp decline following an off-season incident in Sydney, Nova Scotia
outside a nightclub, during Stajduhar's spell with the Cape Breton Oilers
. Stajduhar was sucker-punched
in the back of the head, an injury that left him concussed and delayed his start the following season.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenceman. He was selected by the Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
in the first round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
, 16th overall, a pick the Oilers received from the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
trade.
Stajduhar only played two games for Edmonton, largely bouncing around the minor leagues, including three years in the East Coast Hockey League with the Pensacola Ice Pilots
Pensacola Ice Pilots
The Pensacola Ice Pilots were a minor league ice hockey team located in Pensacola, Florida. The team was previously affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders , and the Chicago Blackhawks. They have also had a working agreement with the Houston Aeros of the...
, as well as even lower level play with the Memphis Riverkings
Memphis RiverKings
The Mississippi RiverKings are a professional minor league ice hockey team. The RiverKings are a member of the Southern Professional Hockey League, playing their first nineteen seasons from the 1992–93 season to the 2010–11 season in the Central Hockey League The Mississippi RiverKings...
of the Central Hockey League
Central Hockey League
The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs....
and the Flint Generals
Flint Generals
The Flint Generals were a professional ice hockey team based in Flint, Michigan.They were a member of the International Hockey League and played their home games at Perani Arena and Event Center in Flint, Michigan....
of the United Hockey League
United Hockey League
The United Hockey League was a low-level professional ice hockey league , with teams in the United States...
.
Although there were serious questions about Stajduhar's attitude and its effect on his career, especially during his time in the ECHL, other factors also came into play. Although Stajduhar was a physical, offense-minded defenceman during his junior years (with the OHL
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
's London Knights
London Knights
The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League.-Early days–1968:...
), his play went into a sharp decline following an off-season incident in Sydney, Nova Scotia
Sydney, Nova Scotia
Sydney is a Canadian urban community in the province of Nova Scotia. It is situated on the east coast of Cape Breton Island and is administratively part of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality....
outside a nightclub, during Stajduhar's spell with the Cape Breton Oilers
Cape Breton Oilers
The Cape Breton Oilers were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team relocated from Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1988 and was renamed for Cape Breton Island. Home games were played in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, at Centre 200...
. Stajduhar was sucker-punched
Punch (strike)
A punch is a striking blow with the fist. It is the most commonly used attack in hand to hand combat. It is used in some martial arts and combat sports, most notably boxing where it is the only type of technique allowed...
in the back of the head, an injury that left him concussed and delayed his start the following season.