 |
Brent SopelCanadian hockey player, defenseman.
Date of Birth: 07.01.1977
Country:  Canada |
Content:
- Biography of Brent Sopel
- Success with Vancouver Canucks
- Stint with Los Angeles Kings
- Later Career and Current Team
Biography of Brent Sopel
Early Career and NHL DebutBrent Sopel is a Canadian ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for Metallurg Novokuznetsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He began his professional career in 1993 with the Saskatoon Blades in the Western Hockey League. In the 1995 NHL Draft, Sopel was selected in the 6th round, 144th overall, by the Vancouver Canucks. After signing a contract with the Canucks on April 3, 1996, he played for the Syracuse Crunch in the American Hockey League (AHL).
Success with Vancouver Canucks
Sopel made his NHL debut in 1999 and scored his first NHL goal on April 10 of the same year against Tommy Salo of the Edmonton Oilers. By August 16, 2005, due to salary cap restrictions, Sopel was traded to the New York Islanders, where he signed a two-year contract worth $4.8 million. During his time with the Canucks, Sopel played 333 games and recorded 136 points (34 goals and 102 assists).
Stint with Los Angeles Kings
However, towards the end of the season, Sopel was involved in a trade that sent Denis Grebeshkov to the Los Angeles Kings. He played 55 games with the Kings before returning to the Vancouver Canucks. Prior to the start of the 2007/08 season, Sopel attended the training camp of the Detroit Red Wings but eventually signed a one-year contract worth $1.5 million with the Chicago Blackhawks on September 28, 2007. On January 10, 2008, he extended his contract with the Blackhawks for an additional three years, increasing the value to $7 million. Sopel played 176 games for the Blackhawks, recording 32 points (4 goals and 28 assists), and won the Stanley Cup with the team in 2010.
Later Career and Current Team
Following the Stanley Cup victory, Sopel decided to bring the trophy to the Chicago gay pride parade, where he was invited by the city's hockey gay association. On June 23, 2010, Sopel joined the Atlanta Thrashers and played 59 games before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens. On July 30, 2011, he signed a two-year contract with Metallurg Novokuznetsk, where he continues to play. Sopel remains an accomplished player, having won the Stanley Cup in 2010.
