Aaron Volpatti

Aaron Volpatti

Date of Birth: 30.05.1985
Country: Canada

Content:
  1. Aaron Volpatti: A Journey of Resilience and Determination
  2. College Career
  3. Professional Career
  4. Injuries and Setbacks
  5. Washington Capitals
  6. American Hockey League Assignment

Aaron Volpatti: A Journey of Resilience and Determination

Early Career

Aaron Volpatti, a Canadian ice hockey player, began his career as a winger for the Vernon Vipers of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) in the 2003-04 season. After 55 games, he had earned 5 points (1 goal, 4 assists). In the following season (2004-05), he improved his performance, scoring 18 points in 57 games. In 2005, the Vipers advanced to the BCHL Fred Page Cup Finals, but were defeated by the Surrey Eagles.

Tragically, during a team hiking trip that summer, Volpatti suffered severe burns over 35% of his body. He spent five months in the hospital, and doctors initially predicted he wouldn't play for another two years, if ever. His dominant hand, the right, was particularly affected. However, defying all odds, Volpatti returned to the team for the start of the 2005-06 season. Despite lingering muscle injuries, he appeared in 25 of 60 games, recording 6 goals and 14 points.

College Career

After three seasons with the Vipers, Volpatti joined the Brown University Bears ice hockey team, competing in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC). He majored in human biology and served as captain of the hockey team for four seasons. In his final year of college (2009-10), he tallied 32 points in 37 games.

Professional Career

On March 22, 2010, Volpatti became a free agent and signed a contract with the Vancouver Canucks of the NHL. He finished the season with their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, scoring 1 goal and 1 assist in 8 games.

In September 2010, Volpatti prepared for the new season in the Canucks training camp but was reassigned to the Moose prior to the start of the season. He made his NHL debut on December 16, 2010, in a home game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. On December 20, he scored his first NHL goal in the second game against the St. Louis Blues. Volpatti completed the 2010-11 season with 2 points in 15 NHL games and 11 points in 53 AHL games. He also earned 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) in 12 playoff games for the Moose.

Injuries and Setbacks

During the following season, Volpatti again attended the Canucks training camp, playing on the fourth line with Maxime Lapierre and Dale Weise. In a game against the Los Angeles Kings in November 2011, he sustained a shoulder injury after a collision with opposing defenseman Matt Greene. Despite not fully recovering from the injury, he continued to play, resulting in a re-aggravation the following month. Diagnosed with a torn labrum, he underwent surgery and missed the remainder of the season. In the offseason, he re-signed with the Canucks on a one-year, two-way contract.

Washington Capitals

Volpatti began the 2012-13 season with the Canucks, scoring 1 goal in 16 games. He ranked second on the team in hits (42) and dropped the gloves four times. As injured players returned to the roster, Volpatti became the team's 13th forward and was often a healthy scratch. The Canucks wanted to activate forward Steve Pinizzotto, who was on injured reserve, and placed Volpatti on waivers in February 2013 with the intention of sending him to their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. However, before that could happen, he was claimed by the Washington Capitals. In April 2013, the Capitals signed him to a two-year, $575,000 contract. Volpatti appeared in 41 games for the Capitals during the 2013-14 season, scoring 2 goals.

American Hockey League Assignment

In December 2014, Volpatti was assigned to the Hershey Bears of the AHL to regain conditioning after suffering a neck injury.

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