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Jeff Tambellini

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Jeff Tambellini
Tambellini with the New York Islanders in 2008
Born (1984-04-13) April 13, 1984 (age 40)
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 192 lb (87 kg; 13 st 10 lb)
Position Left Wing
Shot Left
Played for Los Angeles Kings
New York Islanders
Vancouver Canucks
ZSC Lions
Modo Hockey
HC Fribourg-Gottéron
Växjö Lakers
Djurgårdens IF
NHL draft 27th overall, 2003
Los Angeles Kings
Playing career 2005–2017

Jeff Tambellini (born April 13, 1984) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger and current Director of Player Development for the Seattle Kraken of the NHL. Originally selected 27th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, he joined the National Hockey League in 2005. During his rookie season, he was traded to the New York Islanders. He split his first three professional seasons between the NHL and his clubs' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliates, the Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles) and Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York). In July 2010, Tambellini signed with the Vancouver Canucks and spent a season with the organization.

During his junior career, Tambellini earned MVP honours in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), while also leading the Chilliwack Chiefs to a Fred Page Cup as league champions and a Doyle Cup as Pacific regional champions. In 2002, he joined the college ranks with the Michigan Wolverines of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). Over three seasons, he won two Mason Cups with Michigan as CCHA champions, while earning several individual honours, including league rookie of the year in 2003 and playoff MVP in 2005. Internationally, he competed for Canada's under-20 team at the 2004 World Junior Championships, earning a silver medal.

Playing career

Junior and college

Tambellini played one season in the third-tier Pacific International Junior Hockey League (PIJHL) with the Port Coquitlam Buckaroos in 1999–2000. He scored 31 goals and 64 points over 41 games, earning PIJHL First Team All-Star and Rookie of the Year honours.[1] The following season, he joined the Junior A ranks with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), recording 51 points over 54 games in his rookie season.

In 2001–02, he improved to 117 points (46 goals and 71 points), receiving the Brett Hull Trophy as the league's leading scorer along with Matt Ellison of the Cowichan Valley Capitals, who also scored 117 points.[2] He was further distinguished with the Verne Dye Memorial Trophy as the Coastal Conference's most valuable player.[3] Tambellini went on to help the Chiefs to a Fred Page Cup as league champions, defeating the Vernon Vipers four games to two in the finals.[4] Advancing to the Doyle Cup, the Chiefs beat the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) champion Drayton Valley Thunder by the same series score to capture the regional title.[5] Competing for the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) title, Chilliwack lost in the Royal Bank Cup semifinals.[6] During the tournament, Tambellini was chosen as the CJHL player of the year, beating out Jade Galbraith of the Drayton Valley Thunder and Tim Vokey of the Cornwall Colts.[7]

Tambellini left the Chiefs after two seasons to play college hockey with the Michigan Wolverines of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), where he served as an alternate captain. After scoring 45 points over 43 games in his freshman year, he received All-Rookie Team, Second All-Star Team and Rookie of the Year honours in the CCHA. In the playoffs, Tambellini helped the Wolverines to his first of two Mason Cups in his college career as CCHA champions.

Going into the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, he was ranked 21st among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. Scouts listed him as a superior skater and defensively responsible with leadership qualities.[8] He went on to be selected in the first round, 27th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings.

Returning to Michigan following his draft, his offensive production declined to 27 points over 39 games. The Wolverines returned to the CCHA finals, but were defeated by the Ohio State Buckeyes. Returning to form in 2004–05, Tambellini notched 24 goals and 57 points over 42 games, earning CCHA First All-Star Team honours. He led the Wolverines to a second Mason Cup championship in three years and was chosen as the CCHA Tournament MVP.[9] Competing in the NCAA tournament, Tambellini was named to the NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament and NCAA West Second All-Star Teams.[10]

Professional

Tambellini with the Kings during exhibition play in September 2005.

On August 15, 2005, Tambellini signed an entry-level contract with the Kings, foregoing his senior year with Michigan.[11] In late-September, he was assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, following his training camp with Los Angeles.[11] Two months into the season, Tambellini was called up to the Kings,[11] making his NHL debut on November 30, 2005, against the Chicago Blackhawks.[12] The Kings lost the game 3–2, while Tambellini earned nine minutes of ice time.[12] After four pointless NHL games, he was sent back down to Manchester.[11] On March 8, 2006, Tambellini was traded by the Kings, along with defenceman Denis Grebeshkov, to the New York Islanders, in exchange for forward Mark Parrish and defenceman Brent Sopel.[11] Upon being dealt, he was called up from the AHL and played the remainder of the season with New York. He left Manchester with 25 goals and 56 points in 56 games, which finished the 2005–06 AHL season ranked as the third-best points-per-game rate among league rookies.[13]

Playing in his third game with the Islanders,[12] he scored his first NHL goal against Martin Brodeur in a 6–1 win against the New Jersey Devils on March 14, 2006.[14] He finished the campaign with a goal and four points in 21 games with New York. As the Islanders failed to qualify for the playoffs, they assigned Tambellini to their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, for their Calder Cup playoffs.[11] Over seven post-season games, he recorded three points as Bridgeport was eliminated by the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in the first round.

Tambellini split the 2006–07 season between the Islanders and Sound Tigers. Called up from the AHL on three separate occasions, he recorded two goals and nine points over 23 games with New York. Over 50 AHL games, he led the Sound Tigers with 30 goals and 59 points.[15] The following season, Tambellini set the Sound Tigers single-season scoring record with 76 points in 57 games.[16] His 38 goals ranked second in the league, while his points total was seventh.[17][18] He was called up to the NHL five times,[11] scoring a goal and four points over 31 games. In the off-season, he was re-signed to a two-year, US$1.175 million contract on July 16, 2008.[16]

In 2008–09, he began the campaign in the NHL. With the exception of a two-week assignment with Bridgeport in December 2008,[11] he spent the entire season with the Islanders. Over 65 NHL games, he scored seven goals and 15 points, while recording three goals in six games with the Sound Tigers. The following season, Tambellini recorded his first NHL hat trick with his father in attendance on October 31, 2009, against the Buffalo Sabres.[19][20] Often made a healthy scratch,[21] he completed the season with 14 points over 36 games, while leading the Islanders in shootout percentage with three goals in five attempts.[22]

Becoming an unrestricted free agent in the off-season, Tambellini joined the Vancouver Canucks on July 1, 2010.[23] He signed a one-year, two-way deal paying the league-minimum $500,000 at the NHL-level and $105,000 at the minor-league level.[23] He had received interest from other teams, but was quick to accept an offer from his hometown NHL team, commenting that he "grew up want[ing] to be part of the Vancouver Canucks from age six."[21] Tambellini scored his first goal as a Canuck on October 22, 2010, in a 5–1 win against the Minnesota Wild.[24] While earning some time on the team's second line, he played the majority of the season on the fourth unit,[25] finishing with 9 goals and 17 points over 62 games. Assigned to the team's AHL affiliate for brief periods in October and November 2010,[11] he recorded 7 points over 7 games with the Manitoba Moose. A healthy scratch for the majority of the 2011 playoffs, he made his NHL post-season debut in Game 6 of the second round against the Nashville Predators.[26] In total, he dressed in six games with no points during the playoffs as the Canucks advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the third time in team history, losing in Game 7 to the Boston Bruins. Tambellini was the last player to wear sweater #10 for the Canucks, prior to it being retired in honor of Pavel Bure.

After becoming an unrestricted free agent once more in the off-season, Tambellini signed for the ZSC Lions of the National League A (NLA) in Switzerland.[27] By joining Zurich, he followed after his father and grandfather, who both played for the team during their careers. He was recruited to play overseas by the Lions' Bob Hartley, who previously coached in the NHL for the Colorado Avalanche and Atlanta Thrashers. Tambellini became the team's premiere player in his first season with Zurich, leading the team in scoring and averaging more than 25 minutes a game. He described the Swiss league as a competitive level between the AHL and NHL.[28] In his first season in Zurich, he won the Swiss Championship.

Upon completion of an injury plagued second season with the Lions, Tambellini left as a free agent and signed a one-year contract in Sweden with Modo Hockey of the Swedish Hockey League on March 25, 2013.[29]

In the 2014–15 season, Tambellini skated in 30 games with Fribourg-Gotteron of the Swiss-A league, registering five goals and 13 points. He also played in 20 games with Växjö Lakers in the Swedish Hockey League, recording six goals and nine points.[30] On July 5, 2015, the Tampa Bay Lightning signed Tambellini to a one-year, two-way contract.[31]

Tambellini with the Syracuse Crunch in 2015

After spending the 2015–16 season with the Lightning's AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch, in which he contributed with 49 points in 65 games, Tambellini returned to Sweden in securing a one-year contract with Djurgårdens IF of the SHL on June 10, 2016.[32] Tambellini left Djurgården in February, 2017, having failed to make a significant impact at Djurgården by producing only 4 goals and 5 assists in 41 games. He subsequently rejoined his former team Växjö Lakers, with whom he had won the Le Mat Trophy in 2015.[33]

At the conclusion of the 2016–17 season, Tambellini ended his 12-year professional career, announcing his retirement while returning as an undergraduate at the University of Michigan to complete his degree. He was also announced as the Wolverines' assistant coach.[34]

International play

Medal record
Representing Canada Canada
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2004 Finland
Representing Canada Canada Pacific
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
Silver medal – second place 2004 New Glasgow

Tambellini competed for the Canadian national junior team at the 2004 World Junior Championships, held in Finland. He was the lone NCAA player on Canada's roster.[35] Playing against Ukraine in the round-robin, he scored his first international goal in a 10–0 win.[36] Helping Canada reach the gold medal game, they lost to the United States by a 4–3 score, earning silver.[37] In six games, Tambellini recorded two goals and five points, ranking sixth in team scoring.[38]

Personal life

Tambellini was born in Calgary, Alberta. His brother Adam Tambellini also plays ice hockey. His father Steve Tambellini, a former ice hockey player and former general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, was playing for the Calgary Flames at the time. Steve also played in the NHL with the New York Islanders, Colorado Rockies, New Jersey Devils and Vancouver Canucks. Tambellini's grandfather, Addie Tambellini, was a member of the Trail Smoke Eaters who were the last Canadian amateur team to win the World Championships in 1961. Tambellini became the second member of his family to serve as the head coach and general manager of the Trail Smoke Eaters.[20] While his father became involved with the Canucks first as a player, then as an executive later in his career, Jeff lived in suburban Port Moody, British Columbia, gaining exposure to the NHL environment.[20]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1999–2000 Port Coquitlam Buckaroos PIJHL 41 30 34 64 — — — — — —
2000–01 Chilliwack Chiefs BCHL 54 21 30 51 13 — — — — —
2001–02 Chilliwack Chiefs BCHL 34 46 71 117 23 — — — — —
2002–03 Michigan Wolverines CCHA 43 26 19 45 24 — — — — —
2003–04 Michigan Wolverines CCHA 39 15 12 27 18 — — — — —
2004–05 Michigan Wolverines CCHA 42 24 33 57 32 — — — — —
2005–06 Manchester Monarchs AHL 56 25 31 56 26 — — — — —
2005–06 Los Angeles Kings NHL 4 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2005–06 New York Islanders NHL 21 1 3 4 8 — — — — —
2005–06 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL — — — — — 7 1 2 3 2
2006–07 New York Islanders NHL 23 2 7 9 6 — — — — —
2006–07 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 50 30 29 59 46 — — — — —
2007–08 New York Islanders NHL 31 1 3 4 8 — — — — —
2007–08 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 57 38 38 76 38 — — — — —
2008–09 New York Islanders NHL 65 7 8 15 32 — — — — —
2008–09 Bridgeport Sound Tigers AHL 6 3 0 3 2 — — — — —
2009–10 New York Islanders NHL 36 7 7 14 14 — — — — —
2010–11 Manitoba Moose AHL 7 5 2 7 0 — — — — —
2010–11 Vancouver Canucks NHL 62 9 8 17 18 6 0 0 0 2
2011–12 ZSC Lions NLA 50 23 22 45 24 13 3 7 10 2
2012–13 ZSC Lions NLA 27 5 7 12 14 — — — — —
2013–14 Modo Hockey SHL 45 13 7 20 32 — — — — —
2014–15 HC Fribourg–Gottéron NLA 30 5 8 13 10 — — — — —
2014–15 Växjö Lakers SHL 20 6 3 9 2 18 5 8 13 2
2015–16 Syracuse Crunch AHL 65 29 20 49 22 — — — — —
2016–17 Djurgårdens IF SHL 41 4 5 9 18 — — — — —
2016–17 Växjö Lakers SHL 10 0 0 0 2 6 0 3 3 0
AHL totals 241 130 120 250 134 7 1 2 3 2
NHL totals 242 27 36 63 88 6 0 0 0 2
SHL totals 116 23 15 38 54 24 5 11 16 2

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2001 Canada Pacific U17 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 5 2 7 2
2004 Canada WJC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 2 3 5 0
Junior totals 12 7 5 12 2

Awards

Junior

Award Year
PIJHL First All-Star Team 1999–00
PIJHL Rookie of the Year 1999–00
Verne Dye Memorial Trophy (BCHL MVP; Coastal Conference) 2001–02
Brett Hull Trophy (BCHL Leading Scorer) 2001–02
Fred Page Cup
(BCHL playoff champion; with Chilliwack Chiefs)		 2002
Doyle Cup
(Pacific regional champion; with Chilliwack Chiefs)		 2002

College

Award Year
Mason Cup
(CCHA champion; with Michigan Wolverins)		 2003, 2005
All-CCHA Rookie Team 2002-03
All-CCHA Second team 2002-03[39]
CCHA Rookie of the Year 2002-03
All-CCHA First Team 2004-05[39]
AHCA West Second-Team All-American 2004–05
CCHA All-Tournament Team 2005[40]
CCHA Most Valuable Player in Tournament 2005

Coaching career

Tambellini was hired for the 2017–18 season as an assistant coach for the University of Michigan.

From 2018 to 2020, he acted as the General Manager and Head coach of the BCHL Trail Smoke Eaters.

In August 2022, he was hired by the Seattle Kraken as the Director of Player Development.[41]

References

  1. ^ "Jeff Tambellini "Notes"". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  2. ^ "Brett Hull Trophy". British Columbia Hockey League. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  3. ^ "Verne Dye Memorial Trophy". British Columbia Hockey League. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  4. ^ "Fred Page Cup". British Columbia Hockey League. Archived from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  5. ^ "Doyle Cup". British Columbia Hockey League. Archived from the original on March 29, 2010. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  6. ^ "Royal Bank Cup". British Columbia Hockey League. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  7. ^ "CJHL History". Canadian Junior Hockey League. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  8. ^ "North American prospects". USA Today. June 20, 2003. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  9. ^ "Younger players shine in playoffs". Michigan Daily. March 28, 2005. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  10. ^ "Hensick, Tambellini, AHCA All-Americans". Go Blue Wolverine. April 8, 2005. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Jeff Tambellini". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on December 21, 2010. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  12. ^ a b c "One time only". Vancouver Canucks. October 26, 2010. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  13. ^ "2005–06 AHL Season – Rookies". American Hockey League. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  14. ^ Darren Everson (March 15, 2006). "Tambellini's 1st helps do in Devs". New York Daily News. Retrieved December 21, 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  15. ^ "2006–07 Regular Season – Bridgeport Sound Tigers". American Hockey League. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  16. ^ a b "Islanders sign Jeff Tambellini to 2-year deal". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. July 16, 2008. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  17. ^ "2007–08 Regular Season – Goals". American Hockey League. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  18. ^ "2007–08 Regular Season – All Players". American Hockey League. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  19. ^ "Tambellini nets first hat trick in Isles' rout of Sabres". The Sports Network. October 31, 2009. Retrieved November 2, 2009.
  20. ^ a b c "Tambellinis share special game". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. November 2, 2009. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  21. ^ a b Iain MacIntyre (September 24, 2010). "Jeff Tambellini loves the Canucks; now he has to make them love him back". The Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  22. ^ "Shootout Attempts". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  23. ^ a b "Jeff Tambellini jumped at chance to be a Canuck". The Province. July 1, 2010. Archived from the original on July 5, 2010. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
  24. ^ "Manny Malhotra backs Schneider as Canucks cruise". ESPN. October 22, 2010. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  25. ^ Jamieson, Jim (May 18, 2011). "Tambellini always fired up for action". The Province. Vancouver: Postmedia News. Retrieved June 17, 2011.[permanent dead link‍]
  26. ^ Ziemer, Brad (May 9, 2011). "Kevin Bieksa-Dan Hamhuis duo make Canucks case for the defence". The Vancouver Sun. Postmedia News. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved June 17, 2011.
  27. ^ "Report: Tambellini leaves Canucks to join Swiss league". The Sports Network. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  28. ^ Jamieson, Jim (January 22, 2012). "Jeff's glad he didn't give Swiss a miss". The Province. Vancouver: Postmedia News. p. B14. Archived from the original on March 1, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  29. ^ "Jeff Tambellini ready for Modo Hockey" (in Swedish). Modo Hockey. March 25, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  30. ^ Tampa Bay, Lightning (July 5, 2015). "Lightning sign Forward Jeff Tambellini". Tampa Bay Lightning. Retrieved July 6, 2015.
  31. ^ "Lightning sign forward Jeff Tambellini". Tampa Bay Lightning. July 5, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  32. ^ "Canadian scorer to DIF" (in Swedish). Djurgårdens IF. June 10, 2016. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  33. ^ "Flopp i Djurgården – nu återvänder guldhjälten till Småland". Hockeysverige. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
  34. ^ "Welcome Back Jeff Tambellini!". University of Michigan. September 26, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  35. ^ "Team Roster" (PDF). International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  36. ^ "Game Summary" (PDF). International Ice Hockey Federation. December 29, 2004. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  37. ^ "2004 IIHF U20 Championship". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  38. ^ "Team Statistics" (PDF). International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved December 21, 2010.
  39. ^ a b "All-CCHA Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  40. ^ "2012-13 CCHA Media Guide". ISSUU.com. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  41. ^ "Seattle Kraken Name Jeff Tambellini Director Of Player Development".
Awards and achievements
Preceded by CCHA Rookie of the Year
2002–03 		Succeeded by
Preceded by CCHA Most Valuable Player in Tournament
2005 		Succeeded by
Sporting positions
Preceded by Los Angeles Kings first round draft pick
2003 		Succeeded by

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