David Legwand facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Legwand
Legwand with the Buffalo Sabres in 2016
Born	(1980-08-17) August 17, 1980 (age 44) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	207 lb (94 kg; 14 st 11 lb)
Position	Center
Shot	Left
Played for	Nashville Predators EHC Basel Detroit Red Wings Ottawa Senators Buffalo Sabres
National team	United States
NHL Draft	2nd overall, 1998 Nashville Predators
Playing career	1999–2016

David A. Legwand (born August 17, 1980) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played as a forward for 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). David made history as the very first player ever chosen by the Nashville Predators team. He played with them for 12 full seasons and set many team records. Towards the end of his career, he also played for the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, and Buffalo Sabres.

Playing Career

Early Years

David Legwand went to Grosse Pointe North High School. When he was younger, he played in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament in 1993 and 1994. He was part of the Detroit Little Caesars minor ice hockey team.

He played his junior hockey with the Plymouth Whalers in the OHL. This league is for young, talented players. In the season before he was drafted into the NHL, he scored 54 goals and made 51 assists. This added up to an amazing 105 points! He also won the Red Tilson Award, which is given to the best player in the OHL.

Nashville Predators

Legwand in December 2009.

Before the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, the general manager for the Nashville Predators, David Poile, made a big trade. He traded some draft picks to get the second overall pick. This allowed him to choose David Legwand as the second player picked in the entire draft. Legwand was chosen right after Vincent Lecavalier.

After getting sick during training camp, Legwand went back to play for the Plymouth Whalers for a season. He also missed some games due to a family loss and the World Juniors tournament. He still had a great season, scoring 31 goals and 49 assists in 55 games. After his junior team was out of the playoffs, he signed a three-year contract with the Predators. He then played his very first NHL game against the New Jersey Devils.

Before the 1999–00 season, Legwand was told to gain more weight to be stronger. He worked hard with the team's coach and added several pounds. Even though he got stronger, his coach, Barry Trotz, wasn't fully impressed at first. But Legwand still made the Predators' main team. He scored his first ever NHL goal in a game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. By the end of March, he had 28 points and led all new players with 13 goals.

Legwand returned for his second season but didn't start strong. After making some mistakes that led to goals in a game, he was benched for the first time. This means he didn't play in that game. On December 23, 2000, Legwand made history! He became the first NHL player to score a goal on a penalty shot in overtime. A penalty shot is a special play where one player tries to score against just the goalie. Since the Predators didn't make the playoffs that year, Legwand played for Team USA in the 2001 IIHF World Championship.

During the NHL lockout season (when players couldn't play in the NHL), Legwand played for a Swiss team called EHC Basel.

Legwand in May 2011.

After several years of losing in the first round of the playoffs, Legwand and the Predators finally made it to the second round in 2011. This was a big step for the team and for Legwand's career. However, they were defeated by the Vancouver Canucks in six games.

In late 2005, Legwand hurt his knee. Before he could play for the Predators again, he played two games with the Milwaukee Admirals. This team is in the American Hockey League (AHL), which is a league below the NHL. This helped him get back into playing shape.

On March 5, 2014, Legwand was traded from the Predators to the Detroit Red Wings. This happened in his last year of contract with Nashville. He left Nashville as the player with the most games played for the team (956 games). He also held many of the team's scoring records.

Later Years

On July 4, 2014, Legwand signed a two-year contract with the Ottawa Senators. This move happened after the Senators traded their star player, Jason Spezza. In his only season with Ottawa, Legwand brought experience to the team. He helped the Senators make it back to the playoffs. He scored 9 goals and had 27 points in 80 games that season.

On June 26, 2015, Legwand was traded again, this time to the Buffalo Sabres. He was traded along with his Senators teammate, Robin Lehner.

David Legwand officially announced his retirement from professional hockey on December 22, 2016.

Personal Life

David Legwand and his wife, Lindsey, have two children. Their first child, a son, was born on November 21, 2009.

In January 2015, Legwand and another former NHL player, Derian Hatcher, agreed to buy the Sarnia Sting. This is a team in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where Legwand played as a junior. The deal was approved and completed on March 4, 2015.

Records and Milestones

• Nashville Predators record for most games played (956)

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International