David Hale (ice hockey)

David M. Hale (born June 18, 1981) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played for the New Jersey Devils, Calgary Flames, Phoenix Coyotes, Tampa Bay Lightning and Ottawa Senators over an eight-year National Hockey League (NHL) career. Hale is noteworthy for holding the record for most games needed to score his first NHL goal, with it taking him 231 games, scoring it in his 6th professional season.

David Hale
Hale with the Binghamton Senators in 2011
Born (1981-06-18) June 18, 1981 (age 42)
Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S.
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
PositionDefense
ShotLeft
Played forNew Jersey Devils
Calgary Flames
Phoenix Coyotes
Tampa Bay Lightning
Ottawa Senators
National team United States
NHL draft22nd overall, 2000
New Jersey Devils
Playing career2003–2011

Playing career

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Hale, a Colorado Springs native, played high school hockey for Coronado High School before joining Sioux City Musketeers of the USHL. He was drafted from the Musketeers in the first round, 22nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft before joining the University of North Dakota to play collegiate hockey in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

Hale made his NHL debut on October 8, 2003.[1]

On February 27, 2007, Hale was traded by the Devils, along with a 2007 fifth-round draft pick, to the Calgary Flames for a 2007 third-round draft pick.[2]

On July 3, 2008, Hale, a free agent, signed with the Phoenix Coyotes on a two-year deal.[3] During the 2008–09 season on November 26, 2008, Hale scored his first NHL goal in a 3–2 victory against the Columbus Blue Jackets.[4] Hale scored in his 231st game, setting a record for the longest start to an NHL career without a goal.[5]

On July 21, 2009, Hale was traded by the Coyotes, along with Todd Fedoruk, to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Radim Vrbata.[6] Used as a depth defenseman Hale played sparingly in 35 games, before he was reassigned to AHL affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals, on a conditioning assignment.[7] In his last game with the Admirals, Hale broke his foot and returned to Tampa to play in just 4 more games to end the 2009–10 season.[8]

On August 4, 2010, Hale signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Senators.[9] Hale split the season between Ottawa and their AHL team, the Binghamton Senators. Hale finished the season with Ottawa, and did not take part in Binghamton's Calder Cup playoff run.

On October 15, 2011, Hale officially announced his retirement from hockey.[10]

On June 26, 2013, Hale signed with Italian team HC Appiano, in the semi-pro Inter-National League.[11]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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  Regular season Playoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
1997–98Coronado High SchoolHS-CO25113344154
1998–99Sioux City MusketeersUSHL5631518127500018
1999–2000Sioux City MusketeersUSHL546182418750226
2000–01North Dakota Fighting SiouxWCHA4445979
2001–02North Dakota Fighting SiouxWCHA3445963
2002–03North Dakota Fighting SiouxWCHA2626849
2003–04New Jersey DevilsNHL650447210000
2004–05Albany River RatsAHL3023539
2005–06New Jersey DevilsNHL3804421802212
2005–06Albany River RatsAHL3025764
2006–07New Jersey DevilsNHL4301126
2006–07Lowell DevilsAHL20110
2006–07Calgary FlamesNHL110001020006
2007–08Calgary FlamesNHL580224660002
2008–09Phoenix CoyotesNHL4836936
2009–10Tampa Bay LightningNHL3904425
2009–10Norfolk AdmiralsAHL41120
2010–11Binghamton SenatorsAHL3624632
2010–11Ottawa SenatorsNHL251456
2013–14HC AppianoINL305141965
2013–14HC AppianoITA.240114
NHL totals327425292421702220

International

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YearTeamEvent GPGAPtsPIM
2001United StatesWJC70226
Junior totals70226

Awards and honors

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AwardYear
All-WCHA Third Team2002–03

References

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  1. ^ 2007-2008 New Jersey Devils Media Guide. p. 62.
  2. ^ Chere, Rich (February 28, 2007). "Lamoriello's only move hails Greene as ready". The Star Ledger. Sports, p. 68.
  3. ^ "Coyotes sign David Hale to two-year contract". Phoenix Coyotes. 2008-07-03. Archived from the original on 2008-08-03. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
  4. ^ "Coyotes 3, Blue Jackets 2". CBS Sports. 2008-11-26. Retrieved 2009-06-09.
  5. ^ "Hale's first goal pumps up ex-teammates". Canoe.ca. 2008-11-28. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved 2009-06-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ "Vrbata traded back to Coyotes". CBC. 2009-07-21. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
  7. ^ "Tampa Bay Assign D Hale to Norfolk on conditioning assignment". Tampa Bay Lightning. 2010-01-26. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
  8. ^ "Tampa in Calgary preview". lightninghockeyblog.com. 2010-02-08. Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
  9. ^ "Senators sign D Hale, F Lessard to one-year contracts". The Sports Network. 2010-08-04. Archived from the original on 2012-10-11. Retrieved 2010-08-04.
  10. ^ "Former UND star Hale calls it a career". Grand Forks Herald. 2011-10-15. Retrieved 2011-10-15.[permanent dead link]
  11. ^ "David Hale, dagli Ottawa Senators ad Appiano" (in Italian). 2013-06-26. Retrieved 2013-06-26.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by New Jersey Devils first round draft pick
2000
Succeeded by