Bryan McCabe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bryan McCabe
McCabe with the Florida Panthers in 2009
Born	(1975-06-08) June 8, 1975 (age 50) St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	223 lb (101 kg; 15 st 13 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	New York Islanders Vancouver Canucks Chicago Blackhawks Toronto Maple Leafs HV71 Florida Panthers New York Rangers
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	40th overall, 1993 New York Islanders
Playing career	1995–2011

Bryan McCabe (born June 8, 1975) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a defenceman, which is a player who helps protect their team's goal. Bryan played in over 1,000 games in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for several teams, including the New York Islanders, Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, and New York Rangers.

Bryan grew up in Calgary, Alberta, and played most of his early hockey there. He was picked by the New York Islanders in the 1993 NHL Draft. This was after he played really well in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He even made the WHL All-Star team twice!

Bryan also played for Team Canada. He won gold medals at the 1997 World Championships. He also won gold at the 1994 and 1995 World Junior Championships. He even played for Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

Bryan McCabe's Hockey Journey

Early Days and Junior Hockey

Bryan McCabe started his junior hockey career with the Medicine Hat Tigers. This was in the Western Hockey League (WHL) during the 1991–92 season. After a year and a half, he moved to the Spokane Chiefs. He played very well, scoring 60 points in 60 games in the 1992–93 season.

In the summer of 1993, the New York Islanders picked him in the NHL Draft. He was the 40th player chosen overall. Bryan went back to the Chiefs for another season. He had his best junior year, scoring 84 points in 64 games.

For his last junior year, he was traded to the Brandon Wheat Kings. He ended that season with 69 points in 62 games. He was also named a first-team WHL All-Star.

Playing in the NHL

Bryan McCabe started his NHL career with the New York Islanders in the 1995–96 season. He scored 23 points in his first year. In his third season, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. This trade also involved Todd Bertuzzi.

He played for the Canucks for about a year and a half. Then, he was traded again to the Chicago Blackhawks. This trade helped the Canucks draft famous brothers Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Bryan played one season with the Blackhawks.

Time with the Toronto Maple Leafs

In October 2000, Bryan was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. This is where he really shined. He had a great season in 2001–02, scoring 17 goals and 43 points. Two seasons later, he scored 53 points. He was even considered one of the best defencemen in the league.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Bryan played in Sweden for a team called HV71. However, he didn't play very well there. He decided to leave the team after only ten games.

When the NHL started playing again, Bryan had his best year ever. He scored 19 goals, 49 assists, and 68 points in 73 games for the Maple Leafs. He was one of the top-scoring defencemen in the NHL. Because of his great play, he was chosen to be a reserve player for Team Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

After this amazing season, Bryan signed a big five-year contract with Toronto. He continued to play well, scoring 57 points the next season.

Moving to Other Teams

In 2008, Bryan was traded to the Florida Panthers. He was named the team captain in 2009. On November 6, 2009, he played in his 1,000th NHL game. This is a huge milestone for any hockey player!

In 2011, he was traded one last time to the New York Rangers. Bryan McCabe announced his retirement from the NHL on February 15, 2012.

Playing for Team Canada

Bryan McCabe proudly represented Canada many times. While he was a junior player, he won three gold medals. The first was at the 1992 Pacific Cup in Japan. He also won gold at the 1994 and 1995 World Junior Championships. In 1995, he was named the Best Defenceman at the tournament. He scored 12 points in 7 games!

After joining the NHL, Bryan played in three World Championships. He won a gold medal in 1997.

In 2005, Bryan was chosen as a reserve for Team Canada at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. He later joined the official team. Canada did not win a medal that year, but it was still a great honor to play in the Olympics.

After Retirement

Since 2017, Bryan McCabe has worked for the Florida Panthers. He is the director of player personnel. In 2024, he won his first Stanley Cup championship ring with the Panthers!

Awards and Achievements

WHL

• West second All-Star team – 1993
• West first All-Star team – 1994
• East first All-Star team – 1995
• Memorial Cup All-Star team – 1995

International

• World Junior All-Star team – 1995
• World Junior Best Defenceman - 1995

NHL

• Offensive Player of the Week - November 13–19, 2005
• Second All-Star team – 2004
• Stanley Cup champion (as executive) — 2024

Off the Ice

Bryan McCabe is married to Roberta. They have two daughters, Jocelyn and Stevie, and one son, Linkin. The family lives in Delray Beach, Florida. They also have a home on Long Island.

International Statistics

Medal record
Representing Canada
Men's ice hockey
World Championships
Gold	1997 Finland
World Junior Championships
Gold	1995 Canada
Gold	1994 Czech Republic
Pacific Cup
Gold	1992 Japan

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1992	Canada	PC			3	1	1	2	4
1994	Canada	WJC			7	0	0	0	6
1995	Canada	WJC			7	3	9	12	4
1997	Canada	WC			11	0	2	2	10
1998	Canada	WC	6th		6	1	2	3	4
1999	Canada	WC	4th		10	1	3	4	10
2006	Canada	OG	7th		6	0	0	0	18
Junior totals					17	4	10	14	14
Senior totals					33	2	7	9	42