Mark Giordano facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mark Giordano
Giordano with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2022
Born	(1983-10-03) October 3, 1983 (age 41) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Calgary Flames Dynamo Moscow Seattle Kraken Toronto Maple Leafs
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	Undrafted
Playing career	2004–2024

Mark Giordano (born October 3, 1983) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He now works in Player Development for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL). He last played for the Maple Leafs.

Giordano played for the Calgary Flames for fifteen seasons. He was their team captain for eight of those seasons. He also played for the Seattle Kraken, where he was captain during their first six months. Mark was not chosen in the NHL Entry Draft. He signed with the Flames in 2004 as a free agent. This was after playing two seasons of major junior hockey. He played for the Owen Sound Attack in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Mark Giordano was chosen for his first NHL All-Star Game in 2015. He also won the J. R. "Bud" McCaig Award in 2012 for his charity work. He played for Team Canada at the 2010 IIHF World Championship. He was also part of the team that won the 2007 Spengler Cup. In 2019, at age 35, he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy. This award goes to the NHL's best defenceman.

Early Life and Hockey Start

Growing Up in Toronto

Mark Giordano was born in Toronto, Ontario, on October 3, 1983. His dad, Paul, was a real estate agent. His mom, Anna, was a hairdresser. Mark has Italian family roots. He has an older sister named Michelle. He also had another older sister, Mia, who passed away when he was 14. Before each game, Mark taps his helmet twice with his stick. This is a special way to remember his sister. Her passing brought his family closer together.

Choosing Hockey

As a kid, Mark played both hockey and baseball. But as he got older, he chose to focus on hockey. He played minor ice hockey in North York. He also went to Chaminade College School. In 1997, he played in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. He was part of a team from Richmond Hill.

Mark Giordano's Playing Career

Junior Hockey Days

Giordano played one season of Junior A hockey. This was with the Brampton Capitals in 2001–02. He scored 24 goals in the playoffs. This helped the Capitals win the Ontario provincial championship. Then, he moved up to major junior hockey. He played two seasons with the Owen Sound Attack in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). He was the top-scoring defenceman for his team both years.

In his first year, 2002–03, Mark scored 48 points for Owen Sound. He was one of the best first-year players in the league. He was named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team. Even with his success, Giordano was not picked in the NHL entry draft. He was invited to a training camp for the Phoenix Coyotes. He impressed the team, but they thought he should play another year in the OHL. He finished the 2003–04 season with 49 points.

Joining the Calgary Flames

After junior hockey, Giordano planned to study at York University. But then, the Calgary Flames invited him to their summer camp. Former Flames coach Jim Playfair said Mark stood out. His skill and skating were impressive. The Flames signed him to a contract after the camp.

Professional Hockey Journey

Starting in the AHL

The Flames sent Giordano to their minor league team. This was the Lowell Lock Monsters in the American Hockey League (AHL). He scored 6 goals and had 10 assists in 66 games in 2004–05. He stayed in the AHL for most of the 2005–06 season. He played for the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights. Giordano led the Knights in scoring with 16 goals and 58 points in 73 games. He was also second among AHL defencemen in goals.

NHL Debut and First Goals

The Flames called him up to Calgary during the 2005–06 season. He played his first NHL game on January 30, 2006. He got his first NHL point with an assist on April 8, 2006. In the 2006–07 season, Giordano played 48 games with the Flames. He scored 7 goals and had 15 points. He scored his first two NHL goals on October 14, 2006, against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Time in Russia

Before the 2007–08 season, Giordano could not agree on a new contract with the Flames. So, he left the NHL to play for HC Dynamo Moscow in Russia. He scored 4 goals and 13 points in 50 games there. He also played with the winning Canadian team at the 2007 Spengler Cup. He was named a backup for the Canadian national team in 2008. Even though he left, Giordano and the Flames agreed on a new contract. He returned to Calgary for the 2008–09 season.

Giordano with the Flames, November 2008

Becoming a Flames Leader

Giordano played 58 games for the Flames in 2008–09. He scored 19 points before a shoulder injury ended his season. He recovered and had a great year in 2009–10. He set new personal bests with 11 goals and 30 points. He was also invited to join Team Canada at the 2010 IIHF World Championship. He led the team's defencemen with three goals in the tournament.

In October 2010, Giordano signed a five-year contract with the Flames. He led the team's defencemen in scoring that season. He set another career high with 43 points in 82 games. He missed some games in 2011–12 due to a hamstring injury. He was named an alternate captain before that season.

On September 20, 2013, Giordano was named the 19th captain in Flames history. His teammates and coaches praised him. They liked his long time with the team and his playing style. He played in all situations and worked very hard. He was willing to block shots and defend his teammates. Coach Bob Hartley said Giordano greatly influenced his teammates.

All-Star and Norris Trophy Winner

Giordano broke his ankle in October 2013. He missed 18 games because of the injury. Despite this, he set career highs with 13 goals and 47 points. He was considered for Team Canada for the 2014 Winter Olympics. He also received votes for the James Norris Memorial Trophy.

Giordano during a game against Pittsburgh, December 2013

In the 2014–15 season, Giordano's scoring helped the Flames surprise many. He led all NHL defencemen with 25 points by December. The NHL named him its First Star of November. He was also chosen for the 60th National Hockey League All-Star Game. He played his 500th career game on February 2, 2015. He set a personal best with 48 points on February 25. However, he tore a biceps tendon in that game. This injury ended his season. Before the 2015–16 season, the Flames signed Giordano to a six-year contract.

In the 2016–17 season, Giordano played with Dougie Hamilton. This improved both their defensive games. His strong play helped the Flames reach the playoffs. In the 2018–19 season, Giordano became only the fifth defenceman in NHL history to get 60 points at age 35 or older. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy after this season.

Joining the Seattle Kraken

Giordano with the Kraken in 2022

On July 21, 2021, the Seattle Kraken picked Giordano from the Flames. This was part of the 2021 NHL expansion draft. Before their first season, Giordano was named the first captain in Kraken history. He played his 1,000th NHL game on March 5, 2022. He was the first player in Kraken history to reach this milestone.

Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs

On March 20, 2022, Giordano was traded to his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs. He continued to play well in Toronto. The team made the playoffs but lost in the first round.

On May 22, 2022, Giordano signed a new two-year contract with the Maple Leafs. He took a lower salary to help the team. This gave the team more money to sign other players. On February 26, 2023, Giordano passed Kris Russell for the most shots blocked in NHL history. He blocked his 2,045th shot against his old team, the Seattle Kraken. He is now second in career blocked shots.

Personal Life and Charity Work

Mark Giordano and his wife, Lauren, are spokespeople for Habitat for Humanity. In 2011, they started a program called "5-for-5." This program aimed to build five homes. One home was in Calgary, and four were in Africa and Asia. Mark donated $25,000 himself. The Flames' charity also matched his donation. The team honored him for his work with Habitat for Humanity. He received the J. R. "Bud" McCaig Award in 2012.

Before the 2014–15 season, Mark and Lauren started "Team Giordano Project." They and the Flames' charity gave money to three Calgary schools. This helped buy new gym equipment and computers. They also visited the schools to mentor students. In 2017, Giordano won the ESPN Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award. This was for his charity work.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and Honours