Daniel Girardi

Daniel Girardi (born April 29, 1984) is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the New York Rangers of the NHL. He was signed as a free agent in July 2006 and was a top defensive prospect playing for the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL until being called up to the Rangers.

Girardi grew up playing minor hockey in his hometown of Welland, Ontario with the Welland Tigers of the OMHA's Niagara District and South Central AAA Leagues. He was a member of the OMHA Minor Atom AAA Championship team in 1995 and an OMHA Finalist team in Minor Peewee in 1997. Two of his minor hockey teammates were future NHLers in Daniel Paille of the Boston Bruins and Andre Deveaux formerly of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Girardi played his first NHL game on January 27, 2007 and played 34 regular season games along with ten in the playoffs. He recorded his first NHL point on an assist on February 17 and scored his first NHL goal on October 18, 2007 against the Atlanta Thrashers.

During his junior career he was a member of the London Knights team that won the 2005 OHL Championship and the 2005 Memorial Cup.

On February 16, 2008 Girardi signed a two-year contract extension with the Rangers worth $3.1 million.

On July 9, 2010 Girardi signed a four-year deal with the Rangers worth $13.3 million.

Personal Life
Daniel's childhood idol was Mark Messier. Girardi is married to Pamela Girardi, and has one son, Landon.