John Madden

John Madden
Position	Centre
Shoots	Left
Height Weight	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 190 lb (86 kg)
NHL Team F. Teams	free agent New Jersey Devils Chicago Blackhawks Minnesota Wild
Nationality	Canadian
Born	(1973-05-04)May 4, 1973, Barrie, ON, CAN
NHL Draft	Undrafted
Pro Career	1997 – present

John Madden (born May 4, 1973) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre, currently a free agent. Madden is noted for his on-ice ability to kill penalties, play both ways, and score shorthanded goals.

Playing career

John Madden's journey to the NHL was an uncommon one. As a child, he grew up in a public housing project, Parma Court, in Toronto. Madden is a graduate of the Victoria Village House League and has also played for a number of minor league teams, including the Don Mills Flyers, Scarborough Bruins, Hillcrest Summits, and the Junior "C" Alliston Hornets, before moving up to the Junior "B" Barrie Colts. During his second full season (1992–93) with the Colts, Madden set team records for assists (75) and points (124).

Madden was selected in the 11th round (173rd overall) in the 1992 OHL Priority Selection by the Niagara Falls Thunder after a 104 point season with the Barrie Colts Jr.B. (OHA) team. Madden did not report to Niagara Falls, instead chose to pursue an NCAA scholarship. After his 2nd season in Barrie, when he scored 124 points in 43 games, he was still passed over in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.

However, of the 286 players drafted that year, only 24 have played more career NHL games than the undrafted Madden (as of the end of the 2009-10 NHL season).

Madden played college hockey for the University of Michigan playing in 160 games and getting 80 goals and 100 assist for 180 points with 123 minutes of penalties. During his four-year career with the Wolverines, Madden set the NCAA record for most career shorthanded goals (23) and was a member of the 1995–96 championship team. In his final season at Michigan, he was named to both the CCHA First All-Star and NCAA West First All-American Teams. Madden's teammates at Michigan included future NHL players Brendan Morrison, Mike Knuble, Blake Sloan, Marty Turco, Steve Shields and Bill Muckalt.

The presence of Morrison, the Devils' second round pick in 1993, proved fortuitous for Madden, whose strong work ethic was noticed by General Manager Lou Lamoriello as he monitored Morrison's college development. Lamoriello eventually offered Madden a contract, and he signed with the Devils as an amateur free agent on June 26, 1997.

Madden spent the bulk of his first two professional seasons with the Albany River Rats of the American Hockey League (AHL). Madden led the Rats in scoring during the 1998–99 season, setting team records for assists (60) and points (98). Madden made his NHL debut on January 6, 1999 against cross-town rivals the New York Rangers (one of four games he played for the Devils that season) and collected his first career NHL point on January 18, 1999 against the San Jose Sharks. He won a permanent spot on the Devils' roster the following season (1999–2000) and remained with the team through the 2008-09 season.

Madden is regarded as one of the league's best defensive forwards; he was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2001, and finished second in voting 2003, 2004 and 2008. His penalty-killing skills often generate breakaway chances while his team is shorthanded. Madden led the NHL and set a Devils' team record—and tied the NHL rookie record (G. Minor, Van., ’80-81)—by scoring six shorthanded goals during the 1999–2000 season.

On October 29, 2000, in a 9-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Madden and Randy McKay became the first NHL teammates to each score four goals in one game since January 14, 1922. Over his career Madden has 32 2-point games, 3 3-point games, 1 4-point game and 1 5-point game.

For most of his time with the Devils, Madden was paired with left wing player Jay Pandolfo, prompting many Devils fans to refer to this ubiquitous duo as "Madolfo." The value of the Madden/Pandolfo partnership to the Devils was particularly notable after the 2004–05 NHL lockout. Despite the loss of defensive stalwarts Scott Stevens (retirement), Scott Niedermayer (free agency), and Ken Daneyko (retirement), as well as a series of rule changes designed to increase offence, the Devils have remained one of the league's least scored on and least penalized teams.

On April 25, 2006, Madden completed his first career playoff hat-trick in a 4-1 win over the New York Rangers; two of his goals were shorthanded, tying an NHL record.

Madden was a member of the Devils' 1999–2000 and 2002–03 Stanley Cup champion clubs. After the retirement of long-time captain Scott Stevens before the 2005–06 season, the Devils abandoned the use of the captain's 'C' and instead used four alternate captains, drawing from a pool of Madden, Brian Rafalski, Colin White, Scott Gomez, Alexander Mogilny, and Patrik Elias. Madden has continued to wear the alternate captain's 'A', except for a short time in the 2007–08 season, in which the 'A' was given to Brian Gionta, Dainius Zubrus and Patrik Elias (Elias, after having the captaincy taken away). Once Jamie Langenbrunner, on December 5, 2007 was named captain, Madden once again was assigned the 'A', along with defenseman Colin White.

Madden scored his 100th career goal (regular season) on April 1, 2006 against the Philadelphia Flyers. Other recent career milestones include his 100th assist (October 18, 2006 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins), 200th point (October 12, 2006 vs. Toronto Maple Leafs), and 500th game (November 17, 2006 vs. Ottawa Senators).

As an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2009, he signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Blackhawks worth $2.75 million. He won his third Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks that year.

On August 6, 2010, Madden signed a one-year deal with the Minnesota Wild.

Awards and achievements

• Frank J. Selke Trophy winner in 2001.
• Stanley Cup champion in 2000, 2003, and 2010.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1992–93	Barrie Colts	COJHL		43	49	75	124	82		—	—	—	—	—
1993–94	Michigan Wolverines	CCHA		36	6	11	17	14		—	—	—	—	—
1994–95	Michigan Wolverines	CCHA		39	21	22	43	8		—	—	—	—	—
1995–96	Michigan Wolverines	CCHA		43	27	30	57	45		—	—	—	—	—
1996–97	Michigan Wolverines	CCHA		42	26	37	63	56		—	—	—	—	—
1997–98	Albany River Rats	AHL		74	20	36	56	40		13	3	13	16	14
1998–99	New Jersey Devils	NHL		4	0	1	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	Albany River Rats	AHL		75	38	60	98	44		5	2	2	4	6
1999–00	New Jersey Devils	NHL		74	16	9	25	6		20	3	4	7	0
2000–01	New Jersey Devils	NHL		80	23	15	38	12		25	4	3	7	6
2001–02	New Jersey Devils	NHL		82	15	8	23	25		6	0	0	0	0
2002–03	New Jersey Devils	NHL		80	19	22	41	26		24	6	10	16	2
2003–04	New Jersey Devils	NHL		80	12	23	35	22		5	0	0	0	0
2004–05	HIFK	SM-l		3	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	New Jersey Devils	NHL		82	16	20	36	36		9	4	1	5	8
2006–07	New Jersey Devils	NHL		74	12	20	32	14		11	1	1	2	2
2007–08	New Jersey Devils	NHL		80	20	23	43	26		5	2	1	3	2
2008–09	New Jersey Devils	NHL		76	7	16	23	26		7	0	1	1	4
2009–10	Chicago Blackhawks	NHL		79	10	13	23	12		22	1	1	2	2
2010–11	Minnesota Wild	NHL		76	12	13	25	10		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				867	162	183	345	215		134	21	22	43	26

External links

• John Madden's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
• John Madden on ESPN.com
• John Madden at databasehockey.com
• Madden's award icing on the cake at Slam Sports

Preceded by Steve Yzerman

Winner of the Frank J. Selke Trophy 2001

Succeeded by Michael Peca