Curtis Glencross
Undrafted forward who played for five NHL teams.
Curtis Jack Glencross, a Canadian born December 28, 1982, spent parts of nine seasons in the NHL without ever being drafted. He began his pro career by signing with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2004, finally making his NHL debut with them in 2007. Over the years, he also suited up for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, and Washington Capitals.
During his time in Calgary, Glencross stood out both for his scoring touch and his community work. The Flames recognized this in 2012 by giving him the Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award. After the 2014–15 season, which he split between Calgary and Washington, no NHL team offered him a contract, so he chose to retire. Away from the rink, he served as a spokesperson for the Special Olympics and spent summers driving with Rae Croteau Jr.'s chuckwagon racing team.
Glencross was born in Kindersley, Saskatchewan, but grew up in Provost, Alberta. His parents, Mel and Robin, both played hockey, and they passed on a fierce competitive streak to him and his younger siblings, Matthew and Kari. When Glencross was a teenager, the family moved to Red Deer, Alberta, to run a livestock auction business. At 15, he stood under five feet tall, which often kept him off top minor hockey teams despite his skill—he ended up playing Midget C in Provost. Then came a rapid growth spurt: he shot up a full foot in just 17 months. That growth caught the attention of the expansion Brooks Bandits of the AJHL, who recruited him in 2000. He became the first Bandits alumnus to reach the NHL, and the team retired his number 17 in 2011.
The Bandits finished last both years Glencross played for them, but he still ranked among the AJHL’s top goal-scorers in 2001–02 with 42 goals. Undrafted by any NHL team, he drew interest from NCAA schools and considered a third junior season. Jack Kowal, an assistant coach for the University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves, had scouted him and was impressed by his intensity. Kowal offered a full scholarship, and Glencross took it. Over two seasons (2002–2004), he scored 32 goals and 57 points in 72 games. He was named WCHA offensive player of the week on December 15, 2003, after a hat trick against Colorado College. In 2002–03, he led the Seawolves in goals (21) and points (34).
Glencross left college early, signing with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on March 25, 2004.
Quick Facts
- Position
- Left wing
- Shoots
- Left
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 1
- Weight Lb
- 200
- Birth Date
- 1982-12-28
- Birth Place
- Kindersley, Saskatchewan, Canada
- Career Start
- 2004
- Draft
- Undrafted
- Played For
- Anaheim Ducks / Columbus Blue Jackets / Edmonton Oilers / Calgary Flames / Washington Capitals
- Career End
- 2015
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Glencross grew up in Provost, Alberta, and moved to Red Deer as a teenager. He was small for his age, standing under five feet tall at 15, and played Midget C hockey before a rapid growth spurt of a full foot in 17 months. He was recruited to play Junior A for the expansion Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League in 2000, becoming the first Bandit alumnus to play in the NHL; his number 17 was retired by the team in 2011. He went undrafted but received a full scholarship to the University of Alaska-Anchorage, where he led the Seawolves in goals and points in 2002–03. He signed with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in 2004 and made his NHL debut in 2007, scoring his first goal on his first NHL shot. He was traded multiple times, eventually signing with the Calgary Flames as a free agent in 2008. In Calgary, he set personal highs in goals and points, led the team in goals in the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season, and was named the team's recipient of the Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award in 2012. He was traded to the Washington Capitals in 2015 and retired after failing to secure an NHL contract.
Reader's Guide
Glencross's career is notable for his rise from an undrafted, undersized minor hockey player to a reliable NHL goalscorer. His path included a late growth spurt, a college scholarship, and a professional debut with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. He established himself as an NHL regular with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Edmonton Oilers before signing with the Calgary Flames, where he became a key offensive contributor and community figure. His 26-goal season in 2011–12 made him the NHL's most efficient scorer that year, converting 23.6 percent of his shots. He also served as an alternate captain for the Flames. Despite his production, injuries limited his later seasons, and after a trade to Washington, he was unable to secure a contract and retired. His legacy includes being the first Brooks Bandits alumnus in the NHL and receiving the Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award for his community work, including as a spokesman for the Special Olympics.
Did You Know?
- Glencross grew a full foot in 17 months during his teenage years.
- He scored his first NHL goal on his first NHL shot against Peter Budaj.
- His number 17 was retired by the Brooks Bandits in 2011.
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