James Neal (ice hockey)

James Neal
Neal with the Golden Knights in 2018.
Born (1987-09-03) September 3, 1987
Whitby, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 221 lb (100 kg; 15 st 11 lb)
Position Left wing / Right wing
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Calgary Flames
Dallas Stars
Pittsburgh Penguins
Nashville Predators
Vegas Golden Knights
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 33rd overall, 2005
Dallas Stars
Playing career 2007–present
Website jamesneal18.com

James Neal (born September 3, 1987) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). While playing junior with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), he was selected 33rd overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

After one season with the Stars' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Iowa Stars, Neal played his NHL rookie year with Dallas in 2008–09. During his third NHL season, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, where he played four seasons before being traded to the Nashville Predators. After three seasons with the Predators, Neal was selected in the 2017 NHL Expansion Draft by the Vegas Golden Knights.

Playing career

Minor

Neal started in the CYO in Oshawa, grew up playing minor hockey for the Whitby Wildcats of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA)'s Eastern AAA League. Among his minor hockey coaches was NHL and TSN broadcaster Bob McKenzie.[1] His father, Peter, coached him for the major part of his minor hockey. After his midget season, he was selected by the Plymouth Whalers in the third round, 80th overall, of the 2003 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection. Before joining the major junior ranks, he was assigned to the Bowmanville Eagles, a Junior A club of the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA), for the 2003–04 season.

Junior

Following his rookie season in the OHL, he was selected in the second round, 33rd overall, of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars.[2] Competing in his first NHL training camp, the Stars returned him to junior, where he recorded 21 goals and 58 points with Plymouth in 2005–06. Although Neal was returned again to junior following the Stars' 2006 training camp, he was signed by the club to a three-year, entry-level contract in late-October 2006. He recorded a junior career-high 27 goals and 65 points over 45 games in 2006–07. During the season, he was chosen to represent the Western Conference in the 2007 OHL All-Star Game and scored a goal. He also helped Plymouth win the OHL title, scoring the championship winning goal in overtime in Game 6 against Sudbury. He led all tournament scorers with five goals in the Memorial Cup, held in Vancouver.

Professional

Dallas Stars

After turning professional for the 2007–08 season, Neal played with Dallas' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Iowa Stars. In 62 games, he scored 18 goals and 19 assists for 37 points. The next season, 2008–09, he scored his first career NHL goal in his first NHL game on October 10, 2008, in Dallas against Pascal Leclaire of the Columbus Blue Jackets.[3] His first multi-point NHL game came on November 26, 2008, with a two-goal effort against the Minnesota Wild.[4] Famously, Neal's first NHL fight proved to be a memorable and quick victory. On December 18, 2008, he was challenged to a fight by Columbus forward Derick Brassard after Neal checked Blue Jacket Fedor Tyutin hard into the corner of the Columbus defensive zone in the first period. Neal obliged, and produced a gash near Brassard's left eye with a powerful right punch. Brassard quickly called the fight off, where it was later disclosed that he had dislocated his right shoulder and subsequently ended his season.[5] Five days later, he scored his first NHL hat-trick during a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 23, 2008, in an 8–2 win.[6] His early season performance led to a nomination to the YoungStars roster for the 57th National Hockey League All-Star Game in Montreal.[7] He also broke the Stars' team record for goals scored by a rookie (not including the franchise's years as the Minnesota North Stars), surpassing Jussi Jokinen's record of 17 goals set in 2005–06, in a 10–2 rout of the New York Rangers on February 6, 2009.[8] He completed the campaign with 24 goals and 37 points.

Neal with the Penguins in 2011.

In the Stars' 2009–10 season opener, on October 3, 2009, Neal recorded Dallas' first and second goals of the season against the Nashville Predators. He improved to 55 points in his second NHL season. On September 16, 2010, just prior to the commencement of the 2010–11 season, Neal signed a two-year contract extension with the Stars worth $2.25 million in the first year and $3.5 million in the second.[9]

Pittsburgh Penguins

Leading up to the 2011 trade deadline, on February 21, Neal was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins, along with defenceman Matt Niskanen, in exchange for defenceman Alex Goligoski.[10] Neal scored his first career Stanley Cup playoff goal on April 20 against the Tampa Bay Lightning in double overtime to give Pittsburgh a 3–1 series lead.

On February 19, 2012, one day after scoring 30 goals for the first time in his career, Neal signed a six-year contract extension with an average annual value of $5 million.[11] He scored his second career hat-trick, and first as a Pittsburgh Penguin, in an 8–4 win against the Winnipeg Jets on March 20, 2012. Neal had a break-out season in 2011–12, finishing with 40 goals and 81 points. On May 24, 2013, he scored his first career playoff hat-trick against the Ottawa Senators.

Neal with the Predators in the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals.

Nashville Predators

On June 27, 2014, during the 2014 NHL Entry Draft, Neal was traded by the Penguins to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Patric Hörnqvist and Nick Spaling.[12] He scored his first goal with the Predators on October 17, 2014, in a 2–0 victory over the Winnipeg Jets.[13]

Neal had an impressive year in 2015–16, scoring 31 goals, 58 points, and setting a new Predators franchise single-season record for plus/minus with +27.[14]

Vegas Golden Knights

On June 21, 2017, Neal was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the expansion draft as a Predators' unprotected player.[15] After attending the Golden Knights first training camp, Neal secured a top-line role to open the 2017–18 season. On October 6, 2017, Neal scored twice in a 2–1 comeback victory over the Dallas Stars, helping the Golden Knights achieve victory in their franchise debut.[16] In 71 games for the hugely successful Golden Knights, Neal had 25 goals and 19 assists, placing fourth on the club in goals. In the post-season, Neal helped Vegas claim the Western Conference title, and secure his second successive appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals. He contributed with 6 goals and 11 points in 20 games before losing to the Washington Capitals.

Calgary Flames

After leaving Vegas as a free agent, Neal agreed to a five-year, $28.75 million contract with the Calgary Flames on July 2, 2018.[17]

International play

Medal record
Men's ice hockey
Representing  Canada
IIHF World Championship
2009 Switzerland
World Junior Championships
2007 Canada

In the 2006 off-season, Neal was invited to the Canadian national junior team's summer evaluation camp. His physical presence and hard-hitting impressed Team Canada's coaches, and he was brought back to the team's selection camp in December 2006. His play earned him a spot on the club for the 2007 World Junior Championships in Sweden, where he helped Canada to a gold medal. Two years later, Neal moved on to Canada's men's team for the 2009 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland. He notched three points in as many contests, helping Canada to a silver medal finish in the tournament. In 2011, he played for Canada at the 2011 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia

Personal life

Neal has three younger brothers, Michael, Peter, and Nicholas, who also play hockey.[18] Michael was also drafted by the Dallas Stars in the 5th round (149th overall) of the 2007 NHL draft,[19] Peter last played with the Knoxville Ice Bears (SPHL) in 2014-15 season,[20] and Nicholas played for the Cobourg Cougars (OJHL) in 2013-14. James went to All Saints Catholic Secondary School in Whitby, Ontario, where he was given the nickname "Whitby Wizard". Neal also has a younger sister named Rebecca.[18][21] In March 2012, he was featured on an episode of NHL 36, which followed him for 36 hours.[22]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2002–03 Whitby Wildcats Minor Midget AAA OMHA 47 18 23 41 47 — — — — —
2003–04 Bowmanville Eagles OPJHL 43 28 27 55 54 — — — — —
2003–04 Plymouth Whalers OHL 9 2 4 6 0 — — — — —
2004–05 Plymouth Whalers OHL 67 18 26 44 32 4 1 1 2 6
2005–06 Plymouth Whalers OHL 66 21 37 58 109 13 9 7 16 33
2006–07 Plymouth Whalers OHL 45 27 38 65 94 9 7 4 11 32
2007–08 Iowa Stars AHL 62 18 19 37 63 — — — — —
2008–09 Dallas Stars NHL 77 24 13 37 51 — — — — —
2008–09 Manitoba Moose AHL 5 4 1 5 2 — — — — —
2009–10 Dallas Stars NHL 78 27 28 55 64 — — — — —
2010–11 Dallas Stars NHL 59 21 18 39 60 — — — — —
2010–11 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 20 1 5 6 6 7 1 1 2 6
2011–12 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 80 40 41 81 87 5 2 4 6 12
2012–13 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 40 21 15 36 26 13 6 4 10 8
2013–14 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 59 27 34 61 26 13 2 2 4 24
2014–15 Nashville Predators NHL 67 23 14 37 57 6 4 1 5 8
2015–16 Nashville Predators NHL 82 31 27 58 65 14 4 4 8 8
2016–17 Nashville Predators NHL 70 23 18 41 35 22 6 3 9 14
2017–18 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 71 25 19 44 24 20 6 5 11 12
NHL totals 703 263 232 495 530 100 31 24 55 92

International

Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2007 Canada WJC 1st, gold medalist(s) 6 0 0 0 8
2009 Canada WC 2nd, silver medalist(s) 3 1 2 3 2
2011 Canada WC 5th 6 2 3 5 10
Junior totals 6 0 0 0 8
Senior totals 9 3 5 8 12

Awards and honours

Award Year
NHL
YoungStars Game 2009
All-Star Game 2012, 2016, 2018
NHL All-Star Team 2011–12

References

  1. ↑ "Puck Daddy chats with Dallas' James Neal". Yahoo Sports. 2009-11-13. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
  2. ↑ "NHL Entry Draft Year by Year Results". National Hockey League.
  3. ↑ "Nash;s OT goal gives Columbus victory at Dallas". Yahoo Sports. 2008-10-10. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
  4. ↑ "Stars rally, beat Wild 4–3". Yahoo Sports. 2008-11-26. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
  5. ↑ "James Neal v Derick Brassard". YouTube. 2008-12-18. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
  6. ↑ "Neal nets first career hat-trick as Stars obliterate Maple Leafs". ESPN. 2008-12-23. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
  7. ↑ "YoungStar Neal trained with Roberts, Foote". Dallas Stars. 2009-01-23. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
  8. ↑ "Stars embarrass Rangers with 10 goals". CBS Sports. 2009-02-06. Archived from the original on 2012-10-12. Retrieved 2010-03-12.
  9. ↑ "DAL home". nhl.com.
  10. ↑ "Penguins acquire James Neal and Matt Niskanen from Stars for Alex Goligoski". Pittsburgh Penguins. 2011-02-21. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
  11. ↑ "Penguins agree to contract extension with Neal". Pittsburgh Penguins. 2012-02-19. Retrieved 2012-02-19.
  12. ↑ "Penguins trade Neal to Predators for Hornqvist, Spaling". The Sports Network. 2014-06-27. Retrieved 2014-06-27.
  13. ↑ "Nashville Predators – Winnipeg Jets – October 17th, 2014". NHL.com.
  14. ↑ Scheessele, Keith (July 20, 2017). "Meet the Golden Knights: James Neal". thehockeywriters.com. Retrieved March 14, 2018. That year, his second of three with Nashville, he set a franchise record with a plus/minus of +27
  15. ↑ Benjamin, Cody (June 21, 2017). "Marc-Andre Fleury, James Neal, Marc Methot headline Vegas' expansion draft picks". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 21, 2017.
  16. ↑ Dixon, Schuyler (October 6, 2017). "Vegas Golden Knights top Dallas Stars, win in franchise debut". The Globe and Mail. Dallas. Retrieved October 7, 2017.
  17. ↑ "Flames sign Neal to five-year deal". The Sports Network. 2018-07-02. Retrieved 2018-07-02.
  18. 1 2 Link, Dave (February 5, 2015). "Playing hockey a family goal for Peter Neal". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Q & A With Michael Neal". NHL.com. June 29, 2007. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  20. ↑ "PETER NEAL". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  21. ↑ @jneal_18 (January 24, 2013). "Happy birthday 2 my favorite sister ever @rebeccaaneal. #onlyhave1 #urstillmyfav" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  22. ↑ Robinson, Alan (March 6, 2012). "'NHL 36: James Neal' debuts Wednesday". NHL.com. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
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