Michael Grabner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michael Grabner
Grabner with the New York Islanders in 2015
Born	(1987-10-05) 5 October 1987 (age 37) Villach, Austria
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	181 lb (82 kg; 12 st 13 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Left
Played for	EC VSV Vancouver Canucks New York Islanders Toronto Maple Leafs New York Rangers New Jersey Devils Arizona Coyotes
National team	Austria
NHL Draft	14th overall, 2006 Vancouver Canucks
Playing career	2003–2020

Michael-René Grabner (born October 5, 1987) is an Austrian former professional ice hockey player. He played as a right winger. Grabner grew up playing for his local team, EC VSV, in Villach, Austria.

At age 17, he moved to North America to play in the Western Hockey League (WHL). This league is for young, talented players. After two seasons, the Vancouver Canucks picked him 14th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Grabner later played for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). These included the New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, and Arizona Coyotes. He also played for Austria in junior and senior tournaments, including the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Playing Hockey

Starting Out

Michael Grabner was born in Villach, Austria. He started playing hockey when he was five years old. In 2001, he even played in a big youth tournament in Quebec, Canada.

He joined his local team, EC VSV's junior squad. He scored 10 points in 13 games during the 2002–03 season. The next year, he scored 32 goals in 23 games. He also played his first games with EC VSV's main team in the Austrian Hockey League.

Grabner wanted to play in the NHL. He believed playing in a major junior league in North America would help him. So, he was picked by the Spokane Chiefs in the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) draft.

He moved to Spokane for the 2004–05 WHL season. But he broke his collarbone in his first practice game. He missed about a month because of the injury. He scored his first WHL goal on October 29, 2004. He finished his first season with 13 goals and 24 points.

Drafted by the NHL

The next season, 2005–06, he scored 36 goals and 50 points. This was his NHL draft year. He played in the CHL Top Prospects Game and scored a goal and two assists. He also scored his first WHL hat trick (three goals in one game). This happened on February 4, 2007. Grabner's chances of being drafted high went up. He scored 22 goals in the last 23 games of the season.

The NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him 23rd among North American players. The Vancouver Canucks chose him 14th overall in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. Grabner was surprised to be picked so early. Scouts liked his speed and powerful shot.

He went to his first NHL training camp in 2006. Then he returned to the Chiefs for the 2006–07 season. He scored 39 goals and 16 assists in 55 games.

Playing in the Minor Leagues

Grabner while a member of the Vancouver Canucks in 2009

After his junior season, Grabner joined the Manitoba Moose. This team was the Canucks' minor league team in the American Hockey League (AHL). He played two games at the end of the 2006–07 season.

He played his first full professional season with the Moose in 2007–08. He recorded 44 points in 74 games. The next season, 2008–09, he scored 30 goals and 48 points. The Moose had the best record in the league that year. Grabner helped them reach the Calder Cup finals, scoring 17 points in 20 playoff games.

Making it to the NHL

Grabner started the 2009–10 season with the Moose. But he was called up to the Canucks on October 14, 2009. He scored his first NHL goal on October 21, 2009. It was a powerplay goal against the Chicago Blackhawks.

On April 2, 2010, Grabner scored his first NHL hat trick. This helped the Canucks win 5–4 against the Anaheim Ducks. He also scored his first NHL playoff goal on May 1, 2010.

New York Islanders Years

Grabner skating with the New York Islanders during the 2012–13 season

On June 25, 2010, Grabner was traded to the Florida Panthers. But the Panthers put him on waivers (meaning other teams could claim him). The New York Islanders claimed him two days later.

Grabner played his first game with the Islanders on October 11, 2010. He scored his first goal for them on October 16. In January 2011, he was chosen for the SuperSkills event. He won the fastest skater competition!

In February, Grabner led all new players (rookies) in scoring. He had 10 goals and 16 points. He also scored in six games in a row. This was the longest rookie streak since 2006–07. He finished his first year with 34 goals and 52 points. His 34 goals led all rookies. He was nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy, given to the NHL's best rookie.

After his great rookie season, the Islanders signed Grabner to a five-year contract. This deal was worth $15 million.

Grabner with the New York Islanders in October 2013

On October 21, 2013, Grabner was suspended for two games. This was for an illegal hit to the head of a Carolina Hurricanes player. Later that season, on February 27, 2014, Grabner did something very rare. He scored two shorthanded goals on the same penalty kill! He scored both goals in just 46 seconds.

Moving to Other Teams

On September 17, 2015, Grabner was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played five seasons with the Islanders before this trade. With the Maple Leafs, his scoring went down. But he was good at killing penalties. The team wanted to keep him, but they had many young players coming up.

On July 1, 2016, Grabner signed a two-year contract with the New York Rangers. He started strong with the Rangers. He scored his first hat-trick for them on October 30. He finished second on the team with 27 goals. This was his highest goal total since his rookie season.

On February 22, 2018, Grabner was traded to the New Jersey Devils. This was the first time these two teams had ever traded players! Grabner became one of only 11 players to play for the Rangers, Islanders, and Devils. This is called the "Hudson River Triple." He scored 2 goals and 5 points in 21 games with the Devils.

As a free agent, Grabner signed a three-year contract with the Arizona Coyotes on July 1, 2018. After 25 games, he got an eye injury from a stick. He was out for a long time. Even though he only played 41 games, he led the NHL in shorthanded goals that season. Six of his nine goals were scored while his team was a player short. After two seasons, the Coyotes bought out his contract on October 3, 2020. This meant he was free to leave the team.

Playing for Austria

Grabner first played for Austria in 2004. He was only 16 years old. He scored three goals and one assist in five games. He also played in the World Junior Championships in 2005.

In 2009, he played for Austria in the qualifying tournament for the 2010 Winter Olympics. He scored five goals, leading all players in the tournament. But Austria did not qualify for the Olympics.

Grabner played for the Austrian national team in the 2012 World Championships. Austria earned a promotion to the top level for the 2013 tournament.

He also represented Austria in the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. He scored five goals and one assist. He even scored a hat-trick against Finland! He finished tied for first in goal-scoring at the Olympics. He led Austria in scoring.

Personal Life

On March 31, 2011, Michael Grabner's wife, Heather, gave birth to their baby boy. He met Heather while playing hockey in Spokane.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play

Awards and Honours