Mike Santorelli

Mike Santorelli
Born (1985-12-14) December 14, 1985
Vancouver, British Columbia
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Right
Played for Nashville Predators
Florida Panthers
Winnipeg Jets
Vancouver Canucks
Toronto Maple Leafs
Anaheim Ducks
Genève-Servette HC
NHL Draft 178th overall, 2004
Nashville Predators
Playing career 2007–2016

Michael Santorelli (born December 14, 1985) is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player. He played with Genève-Servette HC of the National League A and in the National Hockey League with the Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers, Winnipeg Jets, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Anaheim Ducks.

Santorelli was drafted by Predators in the sixth round, 178th overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He began his professional career with Nashville's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. An AHL All-Star in 2009, Santorelli tied a Skills Competition record by going four for four in the accuracy competition. After two seasons of splitting time between Nashville and Milwaukee, he was traded to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick in 2011. He had his best season as a professional in his first season with Florida, scoring 20 goals and 41 points. After struggling in his next season-and-a-half, Santorelli was claimed on waivers by the Winnipeg Jets. Following the completion of his contract, he signed as a free agent with the Vancouver Canucks. Santorelli continued his journeyman status with stints in Toronto and Anaheim, as well as a brief return to Nashville in the following years.

Prior to his professional career, Santorelli played college hockey with the Northern Michigan University Wildcats. While there, he was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team in 2005, the All-CCHA First Team in 2007 and won multiple team awards.

Playing career

Amateur

Santorelli began his junior A ice hockey career playing for the Langley Hornets in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL). Following his first year, where he scored 24 goals and 52 points, Santorelli was traded to the Vernon Vipers in exchange for cash. Playing for Vernon, Santorelli scored 43 goals and 96 point in 60 games. He played in the BCHL All-Star Game and was named the team's Most Valuable Player (MVP). His play earned him a scholarship to play college hockey for Northern Michigan University (NMU).[1] During the off-season, Santorelli was selected 178th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Nashville Predators.[2]

In his first season with the NMU Wildcats, Santorelli led the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) in freshman goal scoring with 16, while finishing third on the team with 30 points. For his performance, Santorelli was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team.[3] In the 2005 CCHA Tournament, the Wildcats defeated Western Michigan in the first round, but were eliminated by Alaska-Fairbanks in the second round.[4] Santorelli did not score in the three-game first round series, but recorded a power play assist in the elimination game.[5] In his sophomore season, Santorelli increased his point total to 33, though he scored one fewer goal.[6] Finishing fourth in the Conference, NMU earned a first round bye for the 2006 CCHA Tournament. The Wildcats defeated Nebraska–Omaha in the quarterfinals, but lost their next game to top-seeded Miami University. By virtue of losing in the semi-finals, NMU qualified for the consolation game, where they were defeated by the University of Michigan.[7] For his part Santorelli recorded a goal and two assists in the tournament.[8][9][10]

As a junior, Santorelli had a breakout season, scoring 30 goals and 47 points. He led the Conference in goals and also led the Wildcats in points and plus-minus rating, with +6. At the end of the year, he was named to the All-American West Second Team and the All-CCHA First Team. NMU also awarded him the Gary Emmons Most Valuable Player Award, the Bill Joyce Best Forward Award and the Steve Bozek Plus-Minus Award.[11] Despite Santorelli's strong season, the Wildcats finished in tenth place in the CCHA. At the 2007 CCHA Tournament, NMU faced seventh-placed Ohio State University in a best-of-three first round series. Facing elimination after a 6–2 loss, the Wildcats blew a two-goal first period lead, eventually going into overtime.[12][13] Three minutes and 15 into the extra session, Santorelli set-up Dusty Collins for the game winning goal, forcing a third and deciding game.[14] NMU won the third game and advanced to the quarterfinals, where they then lost to the University of Michigan.[12] Santorelli finished tournament play with two goals and one assist in five games.[13][15][16]

Professional

After his junior year, Santorelli signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators.[11] He began his professional career in the 2007–08 season playing for Nashville's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. In 80 games, Santorelli scored 21 goals and 42 points.[6] Milwaukee finished fourth in the West Division and qualified for the playoffs.[17] In the post-season, the Admirals were eliminated in the first round by the Chicago Wolves.[18] Santorelli played in all six games of the series, but failed to register any points.[6]

The following season, he was joined on the team by his younger brother Mark, who had been a fourth-round draft pick of the Predators. It marked the first time the brothers were on the same team together.[19] Santorelli started the season strong, posting a 14-game point streak. In December, he scored 23 points in 14 games, which tied him for second in the AHL. For his efforts, he was named CCM/AHL Player of the Month.[20] Shortly after earning the accolade, he was called up by the Predators to the NHL, and made his debut on January 8, 2009, against the Pittsburgh Penguins.[21] After playing six games without recording a point, he was reassigned to the Admirals.[22] In the AHL, Santorelli was named to the 2009 All-Star Classic.[23] At the All-Star skills competition, Santorelli tied an AHL record by going four for four in the accuracy shooting event.[24] In the All-Star Game, Santorelli finished as a –7 in a 14–11 Canadian AHL All-Stars loss.[25] Santorelli finished the year with 27 goals and 70 points in 70 games with Milwaukee and played one more game for Nashville, recording two penalty minutes in seven games.[6] The Admirals won the West Division and faced the Rockford IceHogs in the first round.[26][27] The Admirals defeated Rockford and advanced to the second round, where they lost to the Houston Aeros in seven games.[27] Santorelli was a point-per-game player in the playoffs, scoring 11 points in 11 games.[6]

Santorelli playing with the Vancouver Canucks in 2013

He began the 2009–10 season with the Predators, playing five games before being sent down to Milwaukee.[28] He was recalled 10 days later and scored his first career NHL goal on October 28, 2009 against the Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Bäckström.[29][30] He continued to bounce in between Nashville and Milwaukee for the remainder of the season, registering 3 points in 25 games for the Predators and 59 points in 57 games with the Admirals.[6][29] He joined Milwaukee for their playoffs, where they were eliminated in the first round by the Wolves, with Santorelli scoring 3 goals and seven points in the seven game series.[6][31] In the off-season Nashville extended Santorelli a qualifying offer making him a restricted free agent.[32] After being qualified Santorelli was traded to the Florida Panthers for a conditional fifth round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, which was eventually upgraded to a fourth round selection.[33][34] After acquiring him Florida signed Santorelli to a one-year contract.[35]

In Florida Santorelli was expected to play a similar role with the Panthers as he did with the Predators, a player who split time between the minors and played a fourth line role.[36] In the preseason Santorelli beat out Michael Grabner and was given an opportunity to play on a scoring line with David Booth and Rostislav Olesz for the 2010–11 season.[36][37] With the increased playing time and responsibility Santorelli set career highs in Games played, goals, assists, and points. Playing in all 82 games he recorded 20 goals and 41 points.[6] Florida finished the season as the last place team in the Southeast Division and 28th in the league.[38] In the off-season the Panthers re-signed Santorelli to a two-year contract.[39] The following season he sustained a shoulder injury in a preseason game and missed the beginning of the season.[40] Upon his return he struggled recording only 11 points in 60 games and was occasionally made a healthy scratch.[41] The Panthers made the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, but Santorelli did not play in any of their playoff games.[41][42] At the end of the season he was placed on waivers, allowing any team to claim his contract rights.[43] Santorelli cleared waivers the following day and remained with the Panthers.[44]

Prior to the start of the 2012–13 season the NHL's collective bargaining agreement expired and the owners enforced a lockout.[45] During the lockout Santorelli signed with Tingsryds AIF in Sweden's second highest division the HockeyAllsvenskan, with whom his brother played.[46] He played just four games with Tingsryds recording one assist before leaving the team due to a disagreement with their head coach.[47] Following the conclusion of the lockout he re-joined the Panthers. After playing 24 games in the shortened season registering two goals and an assist he was placed on waivers and claimed by the Winnipeg Jets.[48] He recorded one assist in 10 games with the Jets.[6] A free agent at season's end Santorelli signed with his hometown Vancouver Canucks.[49]

After one season with the Canucks, who failed to make the playoffs, Santorelli signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 3, 2014.[50]

With the Leafs slipping down the standings, and setting their eyes on rebuilding, Santorelli was traded to Nashville, along with Cody Franson, in exchange for a 1st round pick, Brendan Leipsic, and Olli Jokinen.[51] This marked both Santorelli's and Franson's second tenure with Nashville. Santorelli scored his first career playoff goal in Game 2 of Nashville's Western Conference Quarter Finals series against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Following the 2014–15 season, Santorelli became an unrestricted free agent. On August 17, 2015, he signed a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks.[52]

After 7 seasons within the NHL, Santorelli left North America as a free agent, signing a two-year contract with Swiss club, Genève-Servette HC of the NLA on July 28, 2016.[53] He made his NLA debut on September 9, 2016 against Fribourg-Gottéron and scored his first NLA goal that same day, tying the game late in the third period. After only 6 games in the 2016-17 season, Santorelli sustained an injury in practice and missed the next 4 games. On October 1, 2016, it was announced that Santorelli would leave Genève-Servette after only 6 games for personal reasons.[54] It was later announced that Santorelli was suffering from nagging injuries which would not allow him to return to the game. He eventually announced his retirement from professional hockey.

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2003–04 Vernon Vipers BCHL 60 43 53 96 26 5 0 2 2 0
2004–05 Northern Michigan University CCHA 40 16 14 30 22 — — — — —
2005–06 Northern Michigan University CCHA 40 15 18 33 24 — — — — —
2006–07 Northern Michigan University CCHA 41 30 17 47 28 — — — — —
2007–08 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 80 21 21 42 60 6 0 0 0 2
2008–09 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 70 27 43 70 36 11 6 5 11 6
2008–09 Nashville Predators NHL 7 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2009–10 Nashville Predators NHL 25 2 1 3 8 — — — — —
2009–10 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 57 26 33 59 20 7 3 4 7 2
2010–11 Florida Panthers NHL 82 20 21 41 20 — — — — —
2011–12 Florida Panthers NHL 60 9 2 11 18 — — — — —
2012–13 Tingsryds AIF Allsv 4 0 1 1 0 — — — — —
2012–13 San Antonio Rampage AHL 7 2 3 5 0 — — — — —
2012–13 Florida Panthers NHL 24 2 1 3 2 — — — — —
2012–13 Winnipeg Jets NHL 10 0 1 1 0 — — — — —
2013–14 Vancouver Canucks NHL 49 10 18 28 6 — — — — —
2014–15 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 57 11 18 29 8 — — — — —
2014–15 Nashville Predators NHL 22 1 3 4 6 4 1 0 1 0
2015–16 Anaheim Ducks NHL 70 9 9 18 8 — — — — —
2016–17 Genève-Servette HC NLA 6 1 3 4 4 — — — — —
NHL totals 406 64 74 138 78 4 1 0 1 0

Awards and honours

Award Year
Collegite
All-CCHA Rookie Team 2004–05 [3]
All-CCHA First Team 2006–07 [11]
AHCA West Second-Team All-American 2006–07
Northern Michigan University
Gary Emmons Most Valuable Player Award 2006–07 [11]
Bill Joyce Best Forward Award 2006–07 [11]
Steve Bozek Plus-Minus Award 2006–07 [11]
American Hockey League
All-Star Game participant 2009 [23]

References

  1. ↑ "Mike Santorelli player profile". Hockey's Future. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
  2. ↑ "Jets quiet on trade front on deadline day". CBC. 2013-04-03. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
  3. 1 2 "Mike Santorelli Named To CCHA All-rookie Team". Northern Michigan University. 2005-03-08. Retrieved 2013-07-31.
  4. ↑ "2005 CCHA Tournament". USCHO. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  5. ↑ "Alaska 6, Northern Michigan 3". USCHO. 2005-03-17. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Mike Santorelli NHL Player Card". National Hockey League. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  7. ↑ "2006 CCHA Tournament". USCHO. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  8. ↑ "Northern Michigan 3, Nebraska-Omaha 2". USCHO. 2006-03-11. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  9. ↑ "Miami 5, Northern Michigan 2". USCHO. 2006-03-17. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  10. ↑ "Michigan 3, Northern Michigan 2". USCHO. 2006-03-18. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Santorelli Leaves NMU For NHL Predators". USCHO. 2007-07-04. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  12. 1 2 "2007 CCHA Tournament". USCHO. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  13. 1 2 "Northern Michigan 3, Ohio State 2". USCHO. 2007-03-03. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  14. ↑ Weston, Paula C. (207-03-03). "Lucky Number: NMU Forces Game 3 With OT Win At OSU". USCHO. Retrieved 2013-08-02. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ↑ "Ohio State 6, Northern Michigan 2". USCHO. 2007-03-02. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  16. ↑ "Michigan 8, Northern Michigan 3". USCHO. 2007-03-10. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  17. ↑ "2007-08 American Hockey League Standings". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  18. ↑ "2007-08 AHL Playoff Results". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  19. ↑ "Things are lining up for the Santorelli brothers". Nashville Predators. 2008-09-26. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  20. ↑ "Mike Santorelli Named AHL Player of the Month". Nashville Predators. 2009-01-02. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  21. ↑ Boclair, David (2009-01-08). "Predators complete wild comeback to beat Pens". The City Paper. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  22. ↑ "Predators Reassign Jones, Santorelli to Ads". Milwaukee Admirals. 2009-01-18. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  23. 1 2 "Three Admirals Named to AHL All-Star Classic". Milwaukee Admirals. 2009-01-06. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  24. ↑ "Santorelli Ties AHL Record at Skills Competition". Milwaukee Admirals. 2009-01-25. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  25. ↑ "2009 AHL All-Star Game". American Hockey League. 2009-01-26. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  26. ↑ "Admirals Capture West Division Crown". Milwaukee Admirals. 2009-03-26. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  27. 1 2 "2008-09 AHL Playoff Results". Internet Hockey Database. 2010-04-01. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  28. ↑ "O'Reilly, Santorelli Switch Spots". Milwaukee Admirals. 2009-10-15. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  29. 1 2 "History: All-Time Transactions". Nashville Predators. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  30. ↑ "Wednesday, October 28 Predators 4, Wild 3 Recap". USA Today. 2009-10-28. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  31. ↑ "2009–10 AHL Playoff Results". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2013-08-30.
  32. ↑ "Preds Extend Offers To Restricted Free Agents". Nashville Predators. 2010-06-28. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  33. ↑ "Panthers get Santorelli from Nashville". National Hockey League. 2010-08-05. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  34. ↑ "Preds Eye Potential From 2011 Draft". Nashville Predators. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  35. ↑ "Panthers sign C Mike Santorelli". Florida Panthers. 2010-08-13. Retrieved 2010-08-19.
  36. 1 2 Fialkov, Harvey (2010-11-15). "Panthers re-sign Santorelli to one-way deal". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  37. ↑ Prince, DeAntae (2010-11-15). "Panthers' speedy Santorelli catching on fast". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  38. ↑ "2010-11 National Hockey League Standings". Internet Hockey Database. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
  39. ↑ Fialkov, Harvey (2011-04-06). "Panthers re-sign Santorelli to two-year deal; reportedly hire Ramsay as asst. coach". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  40. ↑ Richards, George (2011-09-28). "Florida Panthers Lose Mike Santorelli to Shoulder Injury ... Return: 'Between the Opener and Halloween'". The Miami Herald. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  41. 1 2 Eberwein, Kris (2012-08-27). "The Panthers Look for Mike Santorelli to Return to His Old Form: A Fan's Take". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  42. ↑ White, Joseph (2012-04-05). "Capitals, Panthers Both Get Into Playoffs After Washington's 4-2 Win". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 2013-08-03.
  43. ↑ Richards, George (2012-06-28). "Panthers Put Santorelli and Bradley on Waivers as Free Agency Nears". The Miami Herald. Retrieved 2013-08-05.
  44. ↑ Fialkov, Harvey (2012-06-29). "Santorelli and Bradley clear waivers; Garrison probably will test free agency". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved 2013-08-05.
  45. ↑ Johnston, Chris (2012-08-15). "No Hockey: NHL Officially Locks Out Its Players as CBA Expires". The Province. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
  46. ↑ Halford, Mike (2012-10-15). "Florida's Santorelli signs in Swedish second division". NBC Sports. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
  47. ↑ Enestubbe, Daniel (2012-10-29). "Mike Santorelli har lämnat Tingsryd" (in Swedish). SMP. Retrieved 2013-08-04.
  48. ↑ Campbell, Tim (2013-04-18). "Santorelli finding his niche with Jets". Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved 2013-08-05.
  49. ↑ Kuzma, Ben (July 13, 2013). "New Canucks forward Mike Santorelli hopes homecoming is also a fresh start". The Province. Archived from the original on July 21, 2013. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  50. ↑ "Leafs sign F Kontiola, Santorelli, Bodie to one-year deals". The Sports Network. 2014-07-03. Retrieved 2014-07-03.
  51. ↑ "Leafs trade Santorelli, Franson to Predators". The Sports Network. 2015-02-15. Retrieved 2015-02-15.
  52. ↑ "Ducks Sign Santorelli to One-Year Contract". ducks.nhl.com. August 17, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  53. ↑ "Mike Santorelli signs with GSHC" (in French). Genève-Servette HC. 2016-07-28. Retrieved 2016-07-29.
  54. ↑ "Mike Santorelli will leave Servette with immediate effect". swisshockeynews.ch. 2016-10-01. Retrieved 2016-10-01.
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