Greg Zanon
Greg Zanon was drafted 156th overall in the fifth round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators. The Burnaby, British Columbia native spent four seasons (1999-2003) in the CCHA with the University of Nebraska-Omaha, where he produced 107 points in 154 total games. During those four seasons, he was named to the CCHA First and Second All-Star Teams, the NCAA West Second All-American Team and was also named the Best Offensive Defenseman in the CCHA. He played two full seasons (2003-2005) in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals and helped them win the Calder Cup during his first year with them. In July 2004, he signed as a free agent with the Nashville Predators. He then spent most of the 2005-06 season with the Admirals, where he was named team captain, and helped them reach the Calder Cup finals but lost to the Hershey Bears. Also that season, he appeared in four games with the Nashville Predators, including his NHL debut on December 1st against the Minnesota Wild, where he also recorded his first career point with an assist. He spent most of the 2006-07 season with the Predators and scored his first NHL goal on January 17th against the Detroit Red Wings. He finished the season with a career-best +16 rating and led his team with 189 blocked shots. He again led all Predators the following season with 176 blocked shots and ranked second with 160 hits, making him one of only three NHL players that season to total at least 160 hits and 160 blocked shots. He was one of only five Predators to play in all 82 games during the 2008-09 season and set new career-highs with 4 goals, 7 assists, 11 points and 38 penalty minutes. He also led the team in blocked shots (237) for the third consecutive season. In July 2009, he signed as a free agent with the Minnesota Wild to a three-year contract. At 5’11 and around 200 pounds, Zanon is a defenseman who is an asset on the penalty kill, can deliver hits and is best known for his shot blocking ability. Despite producing decent numbers in college, his NHL offensive totals are low; however, he does have a good overall plus/minus rating.
|
