Sheldon Souray
Sheldon Souray | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 13, 1976 Elk Point, Alberta, Canada |
| Occupation | Professional ice hockey defenseman (retired) |
| Years active | 1997–2015 |
| Known for | Powerful slapshot, NHL hardest shot record |
Sheldon Souray (born July 13, 1976) is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman who competed for 14 seasons in the NHL, representing the New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, and Anaheim Ducks. He gained acclaim for his exceptionally powerful slapshot and once held the unofficial NHL record for the hardest shot during the Oilers' 2009 Skills Competition.
New Jersey Devils (1997–2000)
Prior to his NHL career, Souray played with the Fort Saskatchewan Traders in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). Selected 71st overall in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils, he encountered early obstacles including being out of shape at his second training camp. General Manager Lou Lamoriello’s straightforward feedback inspired Souray to make significant improvements, which ultimately helped him secure a steady position on the NHL roster. He made his league debut in the 1997–98 season, concluding with three goals and ten points over 60 games. His inaugural NHL goal was a powerful slapshot scored against the New York Rangers on December 16, 1997. Throughout his tenure with New Jersey, Souray developed a reputation as a physical defenseman with a formidable shot. However, as the Devils aimed for increased offensive contributions from their defense corps during their 1999–2000 Stanley Cup campaign, Souray was traded to the Montreal Canadiens on March 1, 2000, in exchange for Vladimir Malakhov.
Montreal Canadiens (2000–2007)
Following his move to Montreal, Souray’s offensive output saw notable improvement. Initially entering the trade with eight assists and no goals, he finished that season with three goals in 19 games, matching his career high for goals and setting a new personal best of 11 points across 71 games combined. He began to utilize his powerful shot more effectively while playing for the Canadiens. During the 2000–01 campaign, injuries limited him to 52 appearances but he still matched previous highs with three goals and eight assists. In 2001–02, despite battling injuries, Souray contributed three goals and five assists in just 34 games and notched his first power play goal, underscoring his increasing role on special teams. A wrist injury hampered his performance that season and eventually sidelined him.
This wrist injury caused Souray to miss the entire 2002–03 while recovering. Upon returning for 2003–04, he experienced a breakout year by scoring 15 goals and accumulating 35 points—exceeding expectations thanks to more ice time and power play responsibilities. His renowned slapshot regained its potency, earning him a spot in the 2004 All-Star Game and sharing the Skills Competition’s hardest shot award at 102.2 mph alongside Adrian Aucoin. During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Souray competed with Färjestad BK in Sweden’s Elitserien and chronicled his experiences for the Montreal Gazette. He also represented Canada at the 2005 IIHF World Championships, which featured numerous NHL players due to the ongoing lockout.
After play resumed post-lockout, Souray posted impressive statistics in 2005–06, tallying 12 goals and achieving a career-high 39 points. The subsequent season (2006–07) marked his emergence as an elite defenseman, setting personal records with 26 goals, 38 assists, and 64 points—ranking second on the team in both goals and points and third in assists. His slapshot became widely feared throughout the league; notably, he employed it as a shootout decoy in December 2006 to clinch a victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs. On April 5, 2007, Souray established a new NHL single-season record for power play goals by a defenseman by scoring his nineteenth power play goal, surpassing previous marks held by Denis Potvin and Adrian Aucoin. That year also saw him earn his second All-Star selection as a starter and deliver the second-hardest slapshot at the Skills Competition (100 mph), trailing only Zdeno Chára. He led all NHL defensemen in goals scored and ranked third in overall points behind Scott Niedermayer and Sergei Gonchar. Entering free agency in 2007, Souray was widely regarded as one of the premier defensemen available on the market.
Edmonton Oilers (2007–2011)
In July 2007, Souray committed to a five-year, $27 million deal with the Edmonton Oilers, the franchise he had supported since childhood. His initial season was disrupted by injuries, restricting him to just 26 appearances after suffering a shoulder reinjury early on.
During the 2008–09 campaign, Souray made a strong comeback, tallying 23 goals and 53 points, which earned him a spot in the NHL All-Star Game. At the All-Star event, he secured third place in the hardest shot contest with a velocity of 102.3 mph. Remarkably, at the Oilers' 2009 Skills Competition, he recorded an unofficial NHL hardest shot record of 106.7 mph, surpassing previous benchmarks. This achievement remained unmatched until 2012 when Zdeno Chára officially set a new record of 108.8 mph. His formidable slapshot during the 2008–09 season led to the nickname "Studly Wonderbomb."
In the 2009–10 season, injuries resurfaced. An early concussion sidelined him for 16 games, and a fight in January caused a boxer's fracture that required surgical intervention, ending his season after 37 games with 13 points. Post-surgery complications included a severe staph infection that endangered his hand and necessitated extensive medical treatment.
Due to unresolved disagreements concerning his injury rehabilitation, Souray requested a trade in 2010, igniting a public conflict with Oilers management. The organization placed him on waivers intending to transfer his $27 million contract; however, concerns about his health and salary deterred potential suitors. After clearing waivers, he was assigned to the AHL's Hershey Bears, where he continued recovering and delivered solid performances.
Approaching the trade deadline, the Oilers again placed him on waivers without success. Relations remained tense until Edmonton opted to buy out the remaining year of his contract in the summer of 2011, allowing Souray to enter free agency and explore opportunities with other NHL teams.
Dallas Stars (2011–2012)
Once a free agent, Souray inked a one-year agreement with the Dallas Stars on July 1, 2011. Having recuperated from prior injuries, he staged a successful return by emphasizing defensive responsibilities at even strength while maintaining substantial power play minutes to utilize his potent slapshot. The Stars supported his offensive contributions but recommended minimizing fighting to protect his health. On November 4, 2011, Souray netted the 100th goal of his NHL career via a power play slapshot during a thrilling 7–6 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. He rapidly gained admiration from Dallas fans and media alike, rebuilding goodwill that had diminished during his tenure with Edmonton. Although he missed several games following an ankle injury sustained on December 23, 2011, he returned by early January and consistently contributed on defense. Souray completed the 2011–12 season with totals of six goals, 15 assists, and 21 points across 64 games.
Anaheim Ducks (2012–2013)
On July 1, 2012, Souray agreed to a three-year deal worth $11 million with the Anaheim Ducks. Throughout the lockout-affected 2012–13 season, he stayed injury-free and delivered solid defensive performances following his time in Dallas, achieving a career-high plus-minus of +19. In 44 games, Souray tallied seven goals and ten assists as the Ducks secured a spot in the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs, marking his first postseason since the 2005–06 campaign. His final regular-season point, an assist recorded on April 17, 2013, represented his 300th NHL career point. By January 2014, he was placed on injured reserve due to a shoulder and wrist injury and remained on the team roster until officially retiring on June 30, 2015, after spending two years as an unrestricted free agent.
Awards
- Named to the WHL West Second All-Star Team in 1996
- Selected for the NHL All-Star Game in 2004, 2007 (as a starter), and 2009
- Co-winner of the Hardest Shot competition at the NHL All-Star Skills event in 2004 alongside Adrian Aucoin
- Winner of the Hardest Shot contest during the Edmonton Oilers Skills Competition in 2009
Records
- Holds the NHL record for most power-play goals by a defenseman in a single season with 19 during the 2006–07 season, surpassing previous marks set by Denis Potvin and Adrian Aucoin who each had 18
- Shares the Edmonton Oilers franchise record for the quickest two goals scored in a regular-season game at seven seconds (tied with Aleš Hemský)
- Holds the Montreal Canadiens record for most points by a defenseman in one game, accumulating six points (one goal and five assists)
Personal life
Born in Elk Point, Alberta to Richard Souray and Lillian Parenteau, Souray is of Métis heritage. He has one sister and experienced several relocations during his youth to facilitate educational and athletic opportunities. Following his parents’ divorce, he alternated living arrangements between them. He attended Archbishop O'Leary Catholic High School, where he was classmates with former Oiler Fernando Pisani. As a tribute to his heritage and commitment to Indigenous and Métis youth, Souray has a tattoo depicting a Métis Chief.
From 2002 to 2007, he was married to former Baywatch actress Angelica Bridges, with whom he has two daughters.
In 2011, Souray began a relationship with American professional wrestler and model Barbie Blank (known as "Kelly Kelly" in WWE). They wed in 2016 in Cabo San Lucas, splitting their time between residences in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Los Angeles, California; however, they divorced in 2017.
In August 2020, Souray became engaged to American model Tess Annique. The couple married on September 12, 2021, have one son together, and currently live in Las Vegas.
Souray is also co-owner of a pizzeria located in Rivière-des-Prairies, sharing ownership with former NHL goaltender Martin Brodeur and restaurateur Andrea Dell'Orefice.
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1992–93 | Fort Saskatchewan Traders | AJHL | 35 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 116 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Tri-City Americans | WHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Tri-City Americans | WHL | 42 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 122 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Tri-City Americans | WHL | 40 | 2 | 24 | 26 | 140 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Prince George Cougars | WHL | 11 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | Albany River Rats | AHL | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Prince George Cougars | WHL | 32 | 9 | 18 | 27 | 91 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Kelowna Rockets | WHL | 27 | 7 | 20 | 27 | 94 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 1995–96 | Albany River Rats | AHL | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 1996–97 | Albany River Rats | AHL | 70 | 2 | 11 | 13 | 160 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 47 | ||
| 1997–98 | Albany River Rats | AHL | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | — | — | — | — | |||
| 1997–98 | New Jersey Devils | NHL |60 |3 |7 |10 |85 |3 |0 |1 |1 |2 | ||||||||||||||
| 1998–99 | New Jersey Devils | NHL |70 |1 |7 |8 |110 |2 |0 |1 |1 |0 | ||||||||||||||
| 1999–2000 | New Jersey Devils | NHL |52 |0 |8 |8 |70 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| Montreal Canadiens | NHL |19 |3 |0 |3 |44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
| 2000–01 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL |52 |3 |8 |11 |95 | — | — | — | — | | ||||||||||||||
| 2001–02 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL |34 |3 |5 |8 |62 |12 |0 |1 |1 | | ||||||||||||||
| 2003–04 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL |63 |15 |20 |35 |104 |11 |0 |2 |2 | ||||||||||||||
| 2004–05 | Färjestads BK | SEL |39 |9 |get8 |get17 |get117 |get15 |get1 |get6 |get7 |get77 | ||||||||||||||
| 2005–06 |get Montreal Canadiens |get NHL |get75 |get12 |get27 |get39 |get116 |get6 |get3 |get2 |get5 |get8 | ||||||||||||||
| get(2006-07) get Montreal Canadiens get NHL get81 get26 get38 get64 get135 get- get- get- get- get- | ||||||||||||||
| get(2007-08) get Edmonton Oilers get NHL get26 get3 get7 get10 get36 get- get- get- get- get- | ||||||||||||||
| get(2008-09) get Edmonton Oilers get NHL get81 get23 get30 get53 get98 get- get- get- get- get- | ||||||||||||||
International
| Year | Team | Tournament | Outcome | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Canada | WC | Template:Silver2 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | |
| Career senior totals | 9 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | ||||