Sheldon Souray
Defenceman known for his record-setting slapshot and power-play prowess.
Sheldon Souray, a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman, spent 14 seasons in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, and Anaheim Ducks. His reputation was built on a devastating slapshot, and he once set an unofficial NHL record for the hardest recorded shot during the Oilers' 2009 Skills Competition.
Souray began his junior career with the Fort Saskatchewan Traders of the Alberta Junior Hockey League before the Devils selected him in the third round, 71st overall, of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. After reporting to his second Devils training camp overweight and out of shape, general manager Lou Lamoriello warned him he would never play for the team if it happened again. Souray later credited that confrontation as the push he needed to succeed. He made his NHL debut in the 1997–98 season, finishing with three goals and ten points in 60 games, proving he could hold a regular spot. His first NHL goal came on a powerful slapshot late in a December 16, 1997, game against the New York Rangers, breaking a 3–3 tie and securing a 4–3 win. From 1997 until midway through the 1999–2000 season, Souray earned a reputation as a big, steady, physical defender with a mean streak and a hard shot. However, as the Devils prepared for a Stanley Cup run and sought more offence from the blue line, they traded him to the Montreal Canadiens on March 1, 2000, in exchange for Vladimir Malakhov.
After the trade, Souray’s offensive game improved. At the time of the deal, he had just eight points, all assists. He finished with three goals in 19 games as a Canadien, tying his career best for goals and setting a new career high of 11 points in 71 combined games. In Montreal, he began using his dangerous shot more frequently. Injuries limited him to 52 games in 2000–01, but he still matched his previous season's career bests in goals (3), assists (8), and points. The 2001–02 season saw him off to a strong start, with three goals and five assists in 34 games despite an injury-plagued campaign. He also scored his first career power-play goal, as the Canadiens recognized the value of a defenceman who could shoot as hard as he could. A wrist injury bothered him throughout the year, and he eventually shut down his season early.
The wrist injury was severe enough to keep him out for the entire 2002–03 season while he recovered.
Quick Facts
- Birth Date
- 1976-07-13
- Birth Place
- Elk Point, Alberta, Canada
- Height Ft
- 6
- Height In
- 4
- Weight Lb
- 237
- Position
- Defence
- Shoots
- Left
- Played For
- New Jersey Devils / Montreal Canadiens / Edmonton Oilers / Hershey Bears / Dallas Stars / Anaheim Ducks
- Ntl Team
- Canada
- Draft
- 71st overall
- Draft Year
- 1994
- Draft Team
- New Jersey Devils
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Souray was drafted in the 1994 NHL entry draft in the third round, 71st overall, by the New Jersey Devils. He made his NHL debut in the 1997–98 season, scoring his first NHL goal on a powerful slapshot late in a December 16, 1997, game against the New York Rangers to break a 3–3 tie. He earned a reputation as a big, steady, physical defender with a mean streak and a hard shot. On March 1, 2000, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for Vladimir Malakhov.
His offence improved in Montreal. After missing the entire 2002–03 season due to a wrist injury, Souray returned in 2003–04 with a breakout season of 15 goals and 35 points, participating in the 2004 All-Star Game and sharing a win in the Skills Competition's hardest shot contest with Adrian Aucoin at 102.2 mph. In 2006–07, he emerged as a top-tier defenceman with career-best 26 goals, 38 assists and 64 points, breaking the NHL single-season record for most powerplay goals by a defenceman with his 19th. He was named to his second NHL All-Star Game that season as a starter.
Souray signed a five-year, $27 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers on July 12, 2007. Injuries limited him to 26 games in his first season, but he bounced back in 2008–09 with 23 goals and 53 points. During the Oilers' 2009 Skills Competition, he set the then-unofficial NHL record for the hardest shot at 106.7 mph. In 2009–10, he suffered a concussion and later a Boxer's fracture in his right hand after a fight with Jarome Iginla, leading to a staph infection that required three days in the ICU and 12 weeks with an IV bag.
Reader's Guide
Sheldon Souray's significance lies primarily in his extraordinary slapshot, which set an unofficial NHL record for hardest shot at 106.7 mph during the Oilers' 2009 Skills Competition. This record was not surpassed until January 28, 2012, by Zdeno Chára, whose 108.8 mph slapshot set the official record. Souray's shot was so feared that during a December 3, 2008, game against the Dallas Stars, the Stars' broadcast team nicknamed him the 'Studly Wonderbomb.' His power-play ability was historic: in 2006–07 he broke the NHL single-season record for most powerplay goals by a defenceman with 19, a record previously shared by Denis Potvin and Adrian Aucoin. That season he led all NHL defencemen in goals and finished third in points behind Scott Niedermayer and Sergei Gonchar. His career was marked by both offensive breakthroughs and significant injuries, including a wrist injury that cost him the entire 2002–03 season and a staph infection in his hand that required intensive care. Despite these setbacks, he played 14 NHL seasons and represented Team Canada at the 2005 IIHF World Championships during the lockout.
Did You Know?
- Souray developed a staph infection in his hand after surgery for a Boxer's fracture, requiring three days in the ICU and 12 weeks with an IV bag.
- He was nicknamed the 'Studly Wonderbomb' by the Dallas Stars broadcast team during a game on December 3, 2008.
More in Dallas Stars Players 1-24
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