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Ray Whitney (hockey player)
Encyclopedia
Ray Whitney is a Canadian
professional ice hockey
player currently with the Phoenix Coyotes
of the National Hockey League
.
; the others were Ryan Smyth
and Ray's brother Dean. He was drafted in the second round (23rd overall) in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft
by the San Jose Sharks
. He has played for several different NHL teams during his 17 year career, including the San Jose Sharks (1991–92 to 1996–97), Edmonton Oilers
(1997–98), Florida Panthers
(1997–98 to 2000–01), Columbus Blue Jackets
(2000–01 to 2002–03), and Detroit Red Wings
(2003–04). As well as playing in the NHL, Whitney has also played in the Western Hockey League
(WHL), International Hockey League (IHL), and American Hockey League
(AHL).
On August 6, 2005, Whitney signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes paying him $1.5 million per year. In his first season with the Hurricanes in 2005–06, Whitney helped Carolina win their first Stanley Cup
with fellow Fort Saskatchewan native Mike Commodore
.
On April 13, 2007, Whitney re-signed with the Hurricanes, agreeing to a three-year contract that pays him $3.5 million per year.
On July 1, 2010 Whitney signed a 2 year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes
for $3 million per year.
Whitney is known for his comedic tendencies for doing such things as making sure he's visible in pre-game on-screen interviews behind the interviewee, leading to the Hurricanes fans' favorite game of "Where's Whitney"? His commonly used nickname is "Wizard," which was originally given to him by former Florida Panthers play-by-play commentator Jeff Rimer
.
Whitney is considered to be one of the most underrated players currently in the NHL, as his name is not mentioned a lot amongst hockey fans and hockey writers despite his consistently high point-production, especially considering his older age.
Whitney is one of only 31 players in NHL history to record an overtime game-winner in a seventh game in the playoffs, which he accomplished in 1995
against the Calgary Flames
while with San Jose. Whitney is the only remaining member of the San Jose Sharks inaugural team (1991–92) still active in the NHL.
. He recorded six points in seven games as Canada finished in sixth place. The following year, he notched seven points in 10 games at the 1999 World Championships
. Canada finished out of the medals once more, losing in the semifinal to the Czech Republic. He made his next appearance at the 2003 World Championships
with Canada finishing in first. Seven years later, he was named Canada's captain for the 2010 World Championship
, replacing Ryan Smyth
who broke his foot early in the tournament.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
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...
player currently with the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
.
Playing career
Before Whitney played his first game on the ice, he was one of the Oilers stick boys during Wayne Gretzky's late career in EdmontonEdmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
; the others were Ryan Smyth
Ryan Smyth
Ryan Alexander Gordon Smyth is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League...
and Ray's brother Dean. He was drafted in the second round (23rd overall) in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft
1991 NHL Entry Draft
The 1991 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 22 at the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. A total of 264 players were drafted. The draft was famous for the controversy surrounding star first overall draft pick, touted by some observers to be The Next One, Eric Lindros, who was drafted by the...
by the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. He has played for several different NHL teams during his 17 year career, including the San Jose Sharks (1991–92 to 1996–97), 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 ....
(1997–98), Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
(1997–98 to 2000–01), Columbus Blue Jackets
Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
(2000–01 to 2002–03), and Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
(2003–04). As well as playing in the NHL, Whitney has also played in the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
(WHL), International Hockey League (IHL), and American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL).
On August 6, 2005, Whitney signed a two-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes paying him $1.5 million per year. In his first season with the Hurricanes in 2005–06, Whitney helped Carolina win their first Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
with fellow Fort Saskatchewan native Mike Commodore
Mike Commodore
Michael Commodore is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
.
On April 13, 2007, Whitney re-signed with the Hurricanes, agreeing to a three-year contract that pays him $3.5 million per year.
On July 1, 2010 Whitney signed a 2 year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes
Phoenix Coyotes
The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
for $3 million per year.
Whitney is known for his comedic tendencies for doing such things as making sure he's visible in pre-game on-screen interviews behind the interviewee, leading to the Hurricanes fans' favorite game of "Where's Whitney"? His commonly used nickname is "Wizard," which was originally given to him by former Florida Panthers play-by-play commentator Jeff Rimer
Jeff Rimer
Jeff Rimer is the television Play-by-Play Announcer for the Columbus Blue Jackets of the National Hockey League....
.
Whitney is considered to be one of the most underrated players currently in the NHL, as his name is not mentioned a lot amongst hockey fans and hockey writers despite his consistently high point-production, especially considering his older age.
Whitney is one of only 31 players in NHL history to record an overtime game-winner in a seventh game in the playoffs, which he accomplished in 1995
1995 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 1995 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League was played between May 6 and June 24, 1995. In the Final, the New Jersey Devils swept the favored Detroit Red Wings in four games to win their first championship. The Quebec Nordiques played their last ever playoff series...
against the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
while with San Jose. Whitney is the only remaining member of the San Jose Sharks inaugural team (1991–92) still active in the NHL.
Personal life
Ray and wife Brijet married in 2000 and have 3 children; daughters Hanna (born April 2002) and Harper (born April 5, 2008) and son Hudson.International play
Whitney debuted with Team Canada at the 1998 World Championships1998 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
-World Championship Group C :Played March 22-28 in Budapest, Székesfehérvár and Dunaújváros.- Group 1 :- Group 2 :- Final Round 25-28 Place :Hungary was promoted to Group B.- Consolation Round 29-32 Place :...
. He recorded six points in seven games as Canada finished in sixth place. The following year, he notched seven points in 10 games at the 1999 World Championships
1999 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
-World Championship Group C:Played at Eindhoven and Tilburg, Netherlands April 5–11. Yugoslavia was supposed to particpate in this tournament, but was prevented by the host Dutch government.-Group 1:-Group 2:-Final Round 25-28 Place:...
. Canada finished out of the medals once more, losing in the semifinal to the Czech Republic. He made his next appearance at the 2003 World Championships
2003 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
-Relegation round: avoids relegation by defeating 4-1 in the 2004 IIHF World Championship Far East Qualification game. and are demoted to Division I at the 2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships.-Scoring leaders:-Goaltending leaders:-Group A:...
with Canada finishing in first. Seven years later, he was named Canada's captain for the 2010 World Championship
2010 IIHF World Championship
The 2010 IIHF World Championship was the 74th IIHF World Championship, an annual international ice hockey tournament. It took place between 7 and 23 May 2010 in Germany. The games were played in the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, SAP Arena in Mannheim, and one game at Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen...
, replacing Ryan Smyth
Ryan Smyth
Ryan Alexander Gordon Smyth is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger who currently plays for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League...
who broke his foot early in the tournament.
Awards and achievements
- Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
Champion (20062006 Stanley Cup FinalsThe 2006 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series that determined the National Hockey League champion for the 2005–06 season. As a culmination of the 2006 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Eastern Conference champion Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Western Conference champion Edmonton Oilers...
) - Played in NHL All-Star Game (2000)
- Played in NHL All-Star Game (2003)
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1987–88 | Fort Saskatchewan | AMBHL | 71 | 80 | 155 | 235 | 119 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | Spokane Chiefs Spokane Chiefs The Spokane Chiefs are a major junior ice hockey team that plays in the Western Hockey League based out of Spokane, Washington. The team plays its home games at the Spokane Arena. Their uniforms are similar to those of the NHL's Montreal Canadiens. Spokane consistently ranks in the top 10 in the... |
WHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
71 | 17 | 33 | 50 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Spokane Chiefs | WHL | 71 | 57 | 56 | 113 | 50 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6 | ||
| 1990–91 | Spokane Chiefs | WHL | 72 | 67 | 118 | 185 | 36 | 15 | 13 | 18 | 31 | 12 | ||
| 1991–92 | Cologne Sharks Kölner Haie The Kölner Haie are an ice hockey club based in Cologne, Germany that plays in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. The team was one of the founding members of the DEL.The team colours are red and white.... |
DEL | 10 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | San Diego Gulls | IHL | 63 | 36 | 54 | 90 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1991–92 | San Jose Sharks San Jose Sharks The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Kansas City Blades Kansas City Blades The Kansas City Blades was a professional ice hockey team in the International Hockey League from 1990–2001 until the demise of the league after the 2000–01 season. The Blades was based in Kansas City, Missouri at Kemper Arena.... |
IHL | 46 | 20 | 33 | 53 | 14 | 12 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 2 | ||
| 1992–93 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 26 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 61 | 14 | 26 | 40 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8 | ||
| 1994–95 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 39 | 13 | 12 | 25 | 14 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 2 | ||
| 1995–96 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 60 | 17 | 24 | 41 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 12 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 1996–97 AHL season The 1996–97 AHL season was the 61st season of the American Hockey League. The league renames its divisions due to relocating teams. The Northern Conferences consists of the Atlantic Division becoming the Canadian Division, and the Central Division becoming the Empire State Division... |
Kentucky Thoroughblades Kentucky Thoroughblades The Kentucky Thoroughblades were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, who existed from 1996 to 2001. The Thoroughblades were based in Lexington, Kentucky, playing home games at Rupp Arena... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
9 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Utah Grizzlies Utah Grizzlies The Utah Grizzlies are a professional ice hockey team in the ECHL. They play out of West Valley City, Utah, United States, with their home games at the Maverik Center.- Franchise history :... |
IHL | 43 | 13 | 35 | 48 | 34 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 1997–98 | 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 .... |
NHL | 9 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Florida Panthers Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the... |
NHL | 68 | 32 | 29 | 61 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 81 | 26 | 38 | 64 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 81 | 29 | 42 | 71 | 35 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 2000–01 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 43 | 10 | 21 | 31 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Columbus Blue Jackets Columbus Blue Jackets The Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 67 | 21 | 40 | 61 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Columbus Blue Jackets | NHL | 81 | 24 | 52 | 76 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... |
NHL | 67 | 14 | 29 | 43 | 22 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | ||
| 2005–06 | Carolina Hurricanes Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center... |
NHL | 63 | 17 | 38 | 55 | 42 | 24 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 14 | ||
| 2006–07 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 81 | 32 | 51 | 83 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 66 | 25 | 36 | 61 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 82 | 24 | 53 | 77 | 32 | 18 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 4 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 80 | 21 | 37 | 58 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
Phoenix Coyotes Phoenix Coyotes The Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena.... |
NHL | 75 | 17 | 40 | 57 | 24 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||
| WHL totals | 214 | 141 | 207 | 348 | 102 | 21 | 16 | 22 | 38 | 18 | ||||
| NHL totals | 1147 | 341 | 585 | 926 | 419 | 87 | 19 | 27 | 46 | 38 | ||||