 |
Chris DruryAmerican professional ice hockey center forward
Date of Birth: 20.08.1976
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Baseball Accomplishments
- College Career at Boston University
- NHL Career
- Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres (2002-2007)
- New York Rangers (2007-Present)
- International Career
Early Life and Baseball Accomplishments
Christopher Drury was born in Trumbull, Connecticut on August 20, 1976. In addition to hockey, Drury excelled in baseball as a child. He was part of the Trumbull Little League team that won the 1989 Little League World Series, defeating Chinese Taipei. Two months later, Drury threw out the ceremonial first pitch in Game 2 of the 1989 World Series. He met President George H. W. Bush and appeared on "Good Morning America" in New York City after the victory.
College Career at Boston University
After graduating from Fairfield Preparatory School, Drury was drafted 72nd overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the third round of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. However, he never played for the Nordiques, as the team moved to Colorado and became the Avalanche. Beginning his four years at Boston University, Drury won a national championship with the team as a freshman in 1995 and went on to earn the Hobey Baker Award from the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Drury became the first Boston University player to surpass 100 goals and 100 assists, tallying 113 and 100 respectively. He was named Hockey East's Defensive Forward of the Year in 1998 and again in his NHL career on January 15, 2009.
NHL Career
Colorado Avalanche (1998-2002)Drury made his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche in the 1998-99 season, recording 44 points in his rookie campaign. He was awarded the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie, becoming the first player in history to win both the Hobey Baker Award and the Calder Trophy. In the 2000-01 season, Drury scored 65 points and won the Stanley Cup, adding 12 points in the playoffs. He became a fan favorite for the Avalanche, known for his clutch play in the playoffs.
Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres (2002-2007)
Drury's production dropped to 46 points in the 2001-02 season, and he was traded to the Calgary Flames on October 1, 2002, and then to the Buffalo Sabres on July 3, 2003. After disappointing stints in both seasons, Drury found success in Buffalo, becoming the team's captain alongside Daniel Briere from 2005 to 2007. He wore number 37 for Colorado, 18 for Calgary, and 23 for Buffalo, a nod to his New York Yankees idol, Don Mattingly.
New York Rangers (2007-Present)
In the 2006-07 season, Drury scored 37 goals and tallied 69 points. After that season, both Drury and Briere became unrestricted free agents. Briere signed with the Philadelphia Flyers, while Drury inked a five-year, $35.25 million contract with the New York Rangers on July 1, 2007. He made his debut for the Rangers against the Florida Panthers, a 5-2 win. Drury was officially named the Rangers' captain on October 3, 2008, becoming the 25th captain in the team's history after Jaromir Jagr.
International Career
Drury was a member of the American hockey team that participated in the 2010 Winter Olympics. He, James Langenbrunner, and Brian Rafalski were the only players on the team with previous Olympic experience. Drury is nicknamed the "Drury Express."
