Jeff Friesen
Jeffrey Daryl Friesen | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 5, 1976 Canada |
| Occupation | Professional ice hockey player (retired) |
| Years active | 1994–2009 |
| Known for | NHL player; Stanley Cup champion (2003) |
Jeffrey Daryl Friesen (born August 5, 1976) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey athlete who competed in more than 800 NHL contests. Chosen 11th overall by the San Jose Sharks during the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, he devoted approximately half of his playing career to the Sharks, while also representing the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, and Calgary Flames. Friesen secured the Stanley Cup championship with the Devils in 2003.
Playing career
Friesen launched his hockey journey with the Regina Pats in the Western Hockey League, where he was recognized as Rookie of the Year in 1993. After being drafted 11th overall by San Jose in 1994, he went on to play 14 seasons in the NHL, primarily occupying a winger position.
Spending close to seven years with the Sharks, Friesen rose to become their third highest scorer in franchise history before being traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim late in the 2000–01 campaign. Following one season with Anaheim, he was dealt to the New Jersey Devils for the 2002–03 season, playing a key role in their Stanley Cup triumph. During that playoff run, Friesen notably netted several game-winning goals in the Eastern Conference Finals and scored twice in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals facing his former team.
In September 2005, due to salary cap restrictions, Friesen was traded from New Jersey to Washington in exchange for a conditional draft pick. He returned to Anaheim via trade in March 2006 but missed significant time that season because of a groin injury.
For the 2006–07 season, Friesen inked a one-year deal worth $1.6 million with the Calgary Flames but managed only six goals and six assists across 72 games. The Flames opted not to renew his contract afterward. Subsequently, he had a brief stint in the AHL with the Lake Erie Monsters before being released early in 2008.
Seeking an NHL return, Friesen attended San Jose Sharks training camp on a tryout basis in 2008 but was released prior to the season’s start. In August 2009, he signed a one-year contract with Eisbären Berlin competing in Germany’s Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
Friesen shares the Sharks' single-season record for short-handed goals (6), originally set by Jamie Baker during the 1997–98 season. He was honored alongside other former Sharks players at Levi's Stadium during the 2015 Stadium Series outdoor game versus the L.A. Kings.
Personal life
Friesen and his former wife Rhonda are parents to two children: a daughter and a son.
Regular season and playoffs
... [remaining seasons unchanged] ...| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1991–92 | Regina Pats | WHL | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Regina Pats | WHL | 70 | 45 | 38 | 83 | 23 | 13 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 8 | ||
| 1993–94 | Regina Pats | WHL | 66 | 51 | 67 | 118 | 48 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 1994–95 | Regina Pats | WHL | 25 | 21 | 23 | 44 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 48 | 15 | 10 | 25 | 14 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 1995–96 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 79 | 15 | 31 | 46 | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 893 | 218 | 298 | 516 | 488 | 84 | 18 | 15 | 33 | 48 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Tournament | Outcome | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Canada | WJC | Template:Gold1 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1995 | Canada | WJC | Template:Gold1 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 4 | |
| 1996 | Canada | WC | Template:Silver2 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | |
| 1997 | Canada | WC | Template:Gold1 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 16 | |
| 1999 | Canada | WC | 4th place | 7 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2001 | Canada | WC | 5th place | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | |
| 2004 | Canada | WC | Template:Gold1 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | |
| Junior career totals | 12 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 4 | ||||
| Senior career totals | 42 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 32 | ||||
CHL/WHL
- Jim Piggott Memorial Trophy - awarded in 1993
- CHL Rookie of the Year - earned in 1993
- Named to CHL All-Rookie Team - in the year 1993
NHL
- Selected for the NHL All-Rookie Team - in the year 1995
- Winner of the Stanley Cup - during the 2003 Stanley Cup Finals#2003