Scott Parker (ice hockey)

Scott Parker
Born	Scott Douglas Parker (1978-01-29) January 29, 1978 Hanford, California, U.S.
Occupation	Professional ice hockey player (retired)
Years active	1998–2009
Known for	NHL right winger for Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks; Stanley Cup champion (2001)

Scott Douglas Parker (born January 29, 1978) is a retired American professional ice hockey right winger who competed in the NHL for the Colorado Avalanche and San Jose Sharks. Nicknamed "the Sheriff," he gained recognition as a formidable enforcer on the ice.

Playing career

Parker honed his hockey abilities in Eagle River, Alaska, participating in youth and high school leagues before moving on to Junior "B" hockey with the Spokane Braves and subsequently advancing to Major Junior hockey with the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL. Initially selected 63rd overall by the New Jersey Devils in 1996, he re-entered the draft two years later and was picked 20th overall by the Colorado Avalanche. Parker launched his NHL journey with Colorado in 1998 and contributed to their Stanley Cup victory in 2001.

On June 21, 2003, Parker was traded to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for a fifth-round selection in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. In 2005, he endured a serious concussion after being hit in the head by a puck, which required a lengthy period of recovery.

In March 2006, Parker received a two-game suspension following an on-ice confrontation with Nashville's Brendan Witt, which included unsportsmanlike behavior after being ejected from the game.

Colorado reacquired Parker from San Jose on February 27, 2007, trading a sixth-round pick in the 2008 draft for him. On October 17, 2008, he was sent down to Colorado’s AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters. However, his contract was terminated on November 9, 2008, due to insubordination after he refused to report to the affiliate team.

Personal

Born in Hanford, California, Parker was raised in Eagle River, Alaska.

He retired from professional hockey in August 2009 and opened a barbershop business alongside his wife Francesca in Castle Rock, Colorado.

In 2006, Parker and Francesca established "Parker's Platoon," a charitable organization dedicated to assisting military veterans transitioning back into civilian life by engaging them in community-building activities such as snowmobiling and fishing.

In July 2012, Parker sparked controversy by defending Todd Bertuzzi concerning the infamous 2004 incident involving former teammate Steve Moore. He criticized Moore by saying that Moore "always thought he was better than everybody else."

In 2017, Parker revealed on ESPN's Outside the Lines that he had been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.

Career statistics

  2003–04     San Jose Sharks     NHL     50     1     3     4     101     2005–06     San Jose Sharks     NHL     10     1     0     1     38   2006–07   San Jose Sharks   NHL   11   0   0   0   22   2006–07   Colorado Avalanche   NHL   10   1   1   2   6   2007–08 Colorado Avalanche NHL 25 0 0 0 70

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1994–95	Spokane Braves	KIJHL		43	7	21	28	128		—	—	—	—	—
1995–96	Kelowna Rockets	WHL		64	3	4	7	159		6	0	0	0	12
1996–97	Kelowna Rockets	WHL		68	18	8	26	330		6	0	2	2	4
1997–98	Kelowna Rockets	WHL		71	30	22	52	243		7	6	0	6	23
1998–99	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		27	0	0	0	71		—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	Hershey Bears	AHL		32	4	3	7	143		4	0	0	0	6
1999–2000	Hershey Bears	AHL		68	12	7	19	206		11	1	1	2	56
2000–01	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		69	2	3	5	155		4	0	0	0	2
2001–02	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		63	1	4	5	154
2002–03	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		43	1	3	4	82		1	0	0	0	2
colspan="3" NHL totals !308 !7 !14 !21 !699 !5 !0 !0 !0 !4

Awards and distinctions

Honor	Year
NHL
Stanley Cup Winner (Colorado Avalanche)	2001