Paul Postma

Paul Postma (born February 22, 1989) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the HC Lugano of the NLA. He was drafted 205th overall in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Atlanta Thrashers. During his major junior career with the Swift Current Broncos and Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League (WHL) Postma won the WHL Plus-Minus Award and was a WHL East First Team All-Star in 2009.

Playing career
Postma has played major junior in the WHL for the Swift Current Broncos and Calgary Hitmen. After a 24-point season in 2006–07, he was drafted in the 7th round, 205th overall, by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. The next season, he was traded to the Calgary Hitmen, where he recorded 14 goals and 42 points. In 2008–09, Postma emerged with a 23-goal, 84-point campaign, first among league defencemen, setting team records for single-season goals (surpassed Kenton Smith's 19 goals in 1998–99) and points (tied with Matt Kinch) by a defenceman. He earned WHL East First Team All-Star honours, along with teammates Brandon Kozun and Brett Sonne and a nomination for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as the league's top defenceman, opposite Jonathon Blum of the Vancouver Giants. With a league-high +67 plus-minus rating, he won the WHL Plus-Minus Award. During the second round of the subsequent 2009 playoffs, Postma was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract by the Thrashers. He finished the 2009 playoffs with 13 points in 18 games, as the Hitmen were defeated in the finals by the Kelowna Rockets.On Tuesday September 20th, 2011 he scored the first home pre-season goal for the Winnipeg Jets.

Personal
Postma attended Gateway Christian School and Notre Dame High School in Red Deer, Alberta. He is the son of John and Janet Postma and has three sisters; Alissa, Jamie-Lea and Sharlene.

Awards

 * Won the WHL Plus-Minus Award in 2009
 * Named to the WHL East First All-Star Team in 2009
 * Nominated for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy (Top WHL Defenceman) in 2009

Records

 * Calgary Hitmen team record; single-season goals by a defenceman - 23 in 2008–09 (surpassed Kenton Smith - 19 goals in 1998–99)
 * Calgary Hitmen team record; single-season points by a defenceman - 84 in 2008–09 (tied with Matt Kinch - 2000–01)