On Tuesday, Feb. 2, Shea Weber celebrated an important milestone. He played his 1,000th NHL game. It’s only an addition to other accomplishments the 35-year old Canadian has made throughout his hockey career.
Where Weber’s Career All Began
It was in 2003 when Weber was drafted 49th overall in the second round of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators. A year later, the Preds signed him to a three-year entry-level contract that was worth $1.425 million.
However, being drafted to a five-year old team was only the start for Weber. He helped his team in scoring goals by netting in two during the 2006 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The 2007 season was important for Weber, as he had quickly registered 26 points by the middle of the season. In addition, he finished off the season with 40 points.
Weber didn’t stop there. In 2010, Weber’s fifth season with the Preds, the 25-year old recorded 35 points in just 59 games.
Weber’s performance throughout his first five years was good enough to earn him the position of team captain. In the summer of 2010, he replaced Jason Arnott as the Preds’ captain. Most notably, Weber was known as the youngest captain in NHL history.
Along with that, Weber made an appearance to the 2011 NHL All-Star Game. This, of course, wasn’t Weber’s first time being featured in the All-Star Game. In fact, Weber appeared in the 2009 NHL All-Star Game. He also played in the 2012, 2015, 2016 and 2017 NHL All-Star Games. It was during the 2017 NHL All-Star Game where he played his first as a Montreal Canadian.
Weber’s Move to Montreal
Weber had undoubtedly played many good seasons with the Preds. He made a name for himself in Smashville. However, in June 2016, a surprising trade was made. Weber was traded to the Canadians in exchange for P.K. Subban.
During Weber’s first season, he performed well and lived up to the expectations set out for him. He completed year one with a total of 42 goals and 17 goals.
It wasn’t long after that the Canadians decided to name him as their new captain. In late 2018, Weber was named captain in replacement of Max Pacioretty, who was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights a few weeks prior. Weber became the 30th captain of the Canadians and the first NHL defenseman to be named captain of the Canadians since Chris Chelios in 1989. Weber’s work ethic and good leadership ability made it a relatively easy choice for the Canadians to decide that he was perfect for the role as captain.
His play performance over the past several years didn’t disappoint anyone, either. At the time that Weber was named captain, he had recorded 189 goals and 312 assists for a total of 501 points.
Playing 1,000 games isn’t easy. It takes plenty of hard work. Living up to expectations, putting in hard-work daily and playing the best hockey possible is also a tough order to fill out. But Weber has done that, plus more.
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