Robyn Regehr
Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman, known for his strong defensive play and perseverance after a serious car accident.
Robyn Regehr (born April 19, 1980) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. A defenceman, he was a first-round draft pick of the Colorado Avalanche, selected 19th overall at the 1998 NHL entry draft, but was traded to the Calgary Flames prior to the start of his professional career, and has also played for the Buffalo Sabres and Los Angeles Kings in an NHL career that has spanned 1,089 games. Regehr won his first Stanley Cup in 2014 with the Kings, his 15th year in the NHL. He was a member of the Canadian team at the 2006 Winter Olympics, and has won silver medals at the World Junior championships, as well as the championship at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.
Quick Facts
- Character
- Defensive Anchor & Alternate Captain
- Affiliation
- Calgary Flames
- Status
- Retired; Hall of Fame candidate (Alberta Sports Hall of Fame)
- Key trait
- Two-way consistency and penalty killing
- Notable role
- Alternate captain of the Flames during his final seasons
Lore & Background
Regehr was born in Brazil and spent his early childhood in Indonesia before his parents settled back in Canada. At 19, he was the youngest nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in NHL history after he made his debut less than four months after suffering two broken legs in a serious automobile accident. He is best known for his strong defence and physical ability. His younger brother Richie briefly played with him on the Flames. Regehr announced his retirement from the NHL on April 11, 2015.
Reader's Guide
Regehr was born in Recife, Brazil, the second son of Canadian Mennonite missionaries Ron and Edith Regehr. He lived in Brazil for the first nine months of his life, then in Indonesia from ages three to seven, where his younger brother Richie was born. The family settled in Rosthern, Saskatchewan around the time he turned seven. He helped his father operate the natural surface ice rink in Rosthern. Despite being born in Brazil, Regehr cannot speak Portuguese and has very few connections with the country. He declared himself a fan of football and the Brazilian soccer team. In junior hockey, the Kamloops Blazers selected him 17th overall in the 1995 WHL Bantam Draft. He played for the Prince Albert Mintos and then joined the Blazers for the 1996–97 WHL season. The Colorado Avalanche drafted him 19th overall in the 1998 NHL entry draft. He helped the Blazers reach the WHL championship in 1998–99 and was named a Western Conference All-Star and a third-team All-Star by the Canadian Hockey League. He represented Canada at the 1999 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, winning a silver medal. Late in that season, the Flames traded Theoren Fleury and Chris Dingman to the Avalanche for Rene Corbet, Wade Belak, a draft pick and their choice of a prospect; the Flames later chose Regehr to complete that trade. On July 4, 1999, he was seriously injured in an automobile accident near Saskatoon, suffering two broken legs. He made his NHL debut on October 28, 1999, against the Ottawa Senators, and scored his first NHL goal on November 10 against the San Jose Sharks. He was the Flames nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 1999–2000. He struggled in 2001–02, finishing with a team worst −24 plus/minus. He overcame injuries in 2002–03 and earned a second Masterton nomination. He signed a five-year contract extension prior to 2003–04 and was named an alternate captain. He was a key player in the Flames' run to the 2004 Stanley Cup Final, playing the final two games with torn ligaments in his foot. During the 2004–05 lockout, he played in a European charity tour and became the Flames' player representative. In 2005–06, he missed the first month with a knee injury but set career highs in goals (6), assists (20) and points (26). He played his 500th career game on March 15, 2007. He signed another five-year contract extension worth $20 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Robyn Regehr?
He was a defensive defenseman from Lethbridge, Alberta who spent the majority of his NHL career with the Calgary Flames. Known for his toughness and consistency, he holds the record as the franchise's longest-tenured player upon retirement.
What role did Robyn Regehr play on the ice?
Regehr operated primarily as a defensive anchor who prioritized shutting down opponents over offensive scoring. He was a specialist on the penalty kill and relied on physicality to protect teammates in front of the net.
Did Robyn Regehr ever captain the Flames?
Yes, he served as team captain from 2010 to 2012 before acting as an alternate captain for his final seasons. His leadership was crucial during a rebuilding era when the franchise lacked established veteran voices on the ice.
When did Robyn Regehr retire?
He officially retired following the 2013-2014 NHL season after spending over a decade and a half with Calgary. His departure marked the end of an era for the franchise's longest-serving defenseman in club history.
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