Niko Dimitrakos

Nicholas Dimitrakos (born May 21, 1979 in Somerville, Massachusetts) is a Greek-American professional ice hockey right winger, currently signed with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on a 25 game PTO contract.

Playing career
Dimitrakos was first introduced to Hockey at age four by his uncle and has loved it ever since. He graduated from Matignon High School (Cambridge, MA) in 1997. After graduation, Niko attended the prestigious hockey prep school, Avon Old Farms (Avon, Ct) as a post graduate for one year.

Dimitrakos played his college hockey for the University of Maine Black Bears, helping the team win the 1999 NCAA Championship, and making the 1999 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team. His senior year, Dimitrakos led the team in points, with 20 goals and 31 assists in 43 games. During his time at Maine, Dimitrakos was also drafted by the San Jose Sharks, in the 5th round (155th overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

Dimitrakos received his first NHL action toward the end of the 2002–03 NHL season. Sometimes playing on the same line as NHL star Teemu Selänne, Dimitrakos recorded 6 goals and 7 assists in 21 games as a rookie. The following year, he logged 9 goals and 15 assists in 68 games. Despite his modest regular season statistics, Dimitrakos played well in the 2004 NHL Playoffs, helping San Jose advance to the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history.

2005–06 was a bit of a disappointing season for Dimitrakos, however, and on March 9, 2006, he was traded by the Sharks to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a draft pick. Dimitrakos played in 24 games for the Flyers before being demoted to their AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, in October 2006. Following the 2006–07 season, Dimitrakos signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Senators.

Prior to the 2008–09 season, Dimitrakos signed a one-year contract with Skellefteå in Sweden. Because of his Greek citizenship, he is not counted against the non-European Union player limit.

In September 2011, he returned to play in North America - signing a PTO (Professional Tryout) contract with the Vancouver Canucks and attending their training camp. Dimitrakos was released by the Vancouver Canucks on September 25, 2011.

On October 5, 2011, Dimitrakos agreed to a 25 game PTO contract with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Awards

 * NCAA Champion with Maine Black Bears in 1999 and 2000.
 * Named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team in 1999.
 * Named to the NCAA East Second All-American Team in 2002.
 * Named to the Hockey East Second All-Star Team in 2002.