Curtis Glencross

Curtis Jack Glencross (born December 28, 1982) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). An undrafted player, he signed with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim as a free agent in 2004 and made his NHL debut with the team in 2007. He has also played in the NHL for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames and Washington Capitals.

Curtis Glencross
Born (1982-12-28) December 28, 1982
Kindersley, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Left Wing
Shot Left
Played for Anaheim Ducks
Columbus Blue Jackets
Edmonton Oilers
Calgary Flames
Washington Capitals
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2004–2015

Glencross was an effective goalscorer and active within the community during his time in Calgary, which led to the team naming him its recipient of the Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award in 2012. After splitting the 2014–15 season between Calgary and Washington, Glencross was unable to reach a contract deal with any NHL team (despite pre-season attempts with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Colorado Avalanche) and opted to retire as a player. During his playing career, Glencross was a spokesman for the Special Olympics. He has also participated with Rae Croteau Jr.'s chuckwagon racing team in the summer.

Early life

Glencross was born December 28, 1982, in Kindersley, Saskatchewan, but grew up in Provost, Alberta.[1] He is the son of Mel and Robin Glencross, and has a younger brother, Matthew, and sister, Kari.[2] His parents both played hockey and say he inherited an intense competitive nature from them.[2] His family moved to Red Deer, Alberta, when he was a teenager as his parents began a livestock auction business.[2] Glencross was small for his age, standing less than five feet tall when he was 15, and as a result was often left off the top teams in minor hockey despite having the talent to play; he played Midget C hockey in Provost.[1] He experienced a rapid growth spurt, growing a full foot in a period of 17 months, and was recruited to play Junior A hockey for the expansion Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) in 2000.[2] He went on to become the first Bandit alumnus to play in the NHL,[3] and his number 17 was retired by the team in 2011.[4]

Playing career

College and minor professional

The Bandits were a last-place team both years Glencross played, but he was among the AJHL's leading goalscorers in 2001–02 with 42 goals. He went undrafted by an NHL team, but received interest from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) schools and was considering returning to Brooks for a third season of junior. Jack Kowal, assistant coach of the University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves, had scouted Glencross during the season. Impressed with his ability and intensity on the ice, offered Glencross a full scholarship to play for his school.[2] Glencross played two seasons at Alaska-Anchorage between 2002 and 2004, scoring 32 goals and 57 points in 72 games.[5] He was named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association offensive player of the week for December 15, 2003, after scoring a hat trick against the Colorado College Tigers in a 5–2 win.[6][7] He led the Seawolves in goals (21) and points (34) in 2002–03.[8]

Glencross chose to forgo his final two years of college eligibility, signing a professional contract with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on March 25, 2004.[5] He was assigned to the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, to complete the 2003–04 season. He scored two goals in seven regular season games, and one more in nine playoff games.[8] He remained with Cincinnati in 2004–05, appearing in 51 games and scoring nine points.[5] He was moved to the Portland Pirates, also of the AHL, in 2005–06 and improved to 15 goals and 25 points in 41 games while also appearing in 19 post-season games.[5]

Ducks, Blue Jackets and Oilers

Glencross' 2006–07 season was split between four teams. Glencross began with the Pirates, but at mid-season earned his first call-up and made his NHL debut on January 13, 2007.[9] He scored his first goal on his first NHL shot that night, against Peter Budaj, in a 3–2 loss against the Colorado Avalanche.[10] He played two games with Anaheim before he was traded (along with Zenon Konopka and a seventh-round draft pick) to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Mark Hartigan, Joe Motzko and a fourth-round pick on January 26.[5] Glencross appeared in seven games with the Blue Jackets but finished the season in the AHL with the Syracuse Crunch.[8]

Glencross served as an alternate captain for the Flames.

Glencross established himself as an NHL regular in 2007–08. He appeared in 36 games for the Blue Jackets before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for Dick Tärnström on February 1, 2008.[11] Glencross appeared in 26 games for the Oilers, scoring 15 goals and 25 points in 61 games combined between Columbus and Edmonton.[5] Though he played well with Edmonton,[12] the Oilers did not make a contract offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.[13] Glencross hoped to remain in Edmonton as it was close to his Red Deer home. But after the Oilers made little effort to negotiate with him, he chose to sign a three-year, $3.6 million deal with Edmonton's provincial rival, the Calgary Flames.[14]

Calgary Flames

In his first year with the Flames, Glencross set new personal highs in games played (74), goals (13) and points (40).[8] He missed six games in December 2008 with a knee injury,[9] and three more early in the 2009–10 season after he was suspended for a blind-side hit on Chris Drury of the New York Rangers.[15] He set a new personal best with 15 goals on the season that included his first NHL hat-trick in a victory over the Carolina Hurricanes.[16] His season was ended on March 17 after suffering a leg injury when he was struck by Matt Hendricks of the Colorado Avalanche in a knee-on-knee collision.[17]

Playing in the final year of his contract, Glencross set personal highs of 24 goals and 43 points in 2010–11.[18] While the Flames received offers from other teams for Glencross at the trade deadline, the team chose to hold on to him though they risked losing him as an unrestricted free agent following the season.[19] Glencross chose to remain in Calgary, agreeing to a four-year, $10.2 million contract with the Flames on May 17, 2011. Glencross felt that he could have earned a bigger contract on the open market, but chose to take less money to remain in Calgary.[18] With 26 goals in 2011–12, Glencross finished second on the team to Jarome Iginla's 32. He was also the NHL's most efficient scorer, scoring on 23.6 percent of his shots on net.[20]

Glencross reached several milestones in the lock-out-shortened 2012–13 season en route to leading the Flames with 15 goals. After scoring his 100th career goal, he recorded both his 100th assist and 200th point in a 5–4 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on February 24, 2013.[21] His season was ended prematurely by a knee injury after Anaheim's Ben Lovejoy stuck his leg out to cause a knee-on-knee collision. The injury forced Glencross out of the team's final four games of the season.[22]

Injuries plagued Glencross throughout the 2013–14 season as he missed 15 games to a sprained knee, then suffered a high ankle sprain three weeks after his December 10 return.[23] The injury forced him out of the line-up for nearly three months; he missed an additional 29 games before returning to action.[24] In just the sixth game after his return, he scored his third career hat-trick in an 8–1 victory against the Edmonton Oilers.[25]

Washington Capitals

As Glencross' contract was set to expire at the end of the 2014–15 season, his future in Calgary was placed in doubt; the team asked him for a list of teams he would agree to waive his no-trade clause to as March 2, 2015, trade deadline approached.[26] Though the team was in playoff contention at the deadline, it still opted to move Glencross. He was traded to the Washington Capitals on March 1 in exchange for second- and third-round picks at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.[27] He made his debut with Washington two nights later. Combined between Calgary and Washington, Glencross scored 13 goals and 35 points in 71 games played.[28]

Despite his reduced offensive output relative to previous seasons, Glencross expected to sign with a new team as a free agent. However, when no contract offers materialized, Glencross instead accepted a professional tryout offer with the Toronto Maple Leafs.[29] Toronto opted against signing Glencross and, after releasing him from the try-out, Glencross signed another tryout offer, with the Colorado Avalanche.[30] After two scoreless pre-season games, he was released by the Avalanche on October 5, 2015.[31] His first pre-season game with the Avalanche was in Calgary; the Flames recognized Glencross' contributions with the team during the game, a gesture he appreciated. However, the Avalanche also released Glencross, leaving his career in limbo as the 2015–16 NHL season began.[32] He opted against playing in Europe in favour of remaining in Canada with his young family and, on October 20, 2015, announced his retirement as a player. Glencross played 507 games, scored 134 goals and had 275 points.[33]

Personal life

While Glencross grew up around the rodeo circuit, he did not enter into the sport until he met World Professional Chuckwagon Association driver Rae Croteau Jr. in 2005.[34] He became interested in chuckwagon racing at the time, and while he does not race, Glencross was a part of Croteau's team in 2007 and 2008, helping around the stables.[35]

Glencross and his wife Tanya have five children together.[33] An active member of the community during his playing career, Glencross served as a spokesman for the Special Olympics program,[36] and hosted an annual charity golf tournament in support of Calgary Crime Stoppers.[37] The first event, held in 2009, raised C$100,000.[38] Glencross is also involved with the Alberta Children's Hospital. In recognition of his community efforts, the Flames named him the 2012 recipient of the Ralph T. Scurfield Humanitarian Award, given by the team in recognition of on-ice leadership coupled with community service.[39]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
2000–01 Brooks Bandits AJHL 60232245113 —————
2001–02 Brooks Bandits AJHL 53422668— —————
2002–03 University of Alaska-Anchorage WCHA 3511122379 —————
2003–04 University of Alaska-Anchorage WCHA 3721133479 —————
2003–04 Cincinnati Mighty Ducks AHL 72136 916710
2004–05 Cincinnati Mighty Ducks AHL 5163963 1220210
2005–06 Portland Pirates AHL 4115102585 19461037
2006–07 Portland Pirates AHL 316101674 —————
2006–07 Anaheim Ducks NHL 21012 —————
2006–07 Syracuse Crunch AHL 2919163553 —————
2006–07 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 70000 —————
2007–08 Columbus Blue Jackets NHL 36661225 —————
2007–08 Edmonton Oilers NHL 26941328 —————
2008–09 Calgary Flames NHL 7413274042 603312
2009–10 Calgary Flames NHL 6715183358 —————
2010–11 Calgary Flames NHL 7924194359 —————
2011–12 Calgary Flames NHL 6726224862 —————
2012–13 Calgary Flames NHL 4015112618 —————
2013–14 Calgary Flames NHL 3812122412 —————
2014–15 Calgary Flames NHL 539192839 —————
2014–15 Washington Capitals NHL 184376 101012
NHL totals 507134141275351 1613414

References
  • Career statistics: "Curtis Glencross player card". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  1. Lee, Mark (January 21, 2008). "Hockey Journeys". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  2. Woody, Doyle (December 3, 2002). "Glencross a cornerstone for UAA". Anchorage Daily News. p. C1.
  3. "Alumni of the Brooks Bandits". Brooks Bandits Hockey Club. Archived from the original on February 20, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  4. Down, John (December 9, 2011). "Brooks to salute ex-Bandit Glencross". Calgary Herald. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  5. "Curtis Glencross profile". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  6. "UAA Hockey all-time WCHA player of the week" (PDF). University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 11, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  7. "UAA Hockey all-time hat tricks" (PDF). University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 11, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  8. Hanlon, Peter; Kelso, Sean (2009). 2009–10 Calgary Flames Media Guide. Calgary Flames Hockey Club. p. 52.
  9. Hanlon, Peter; Kelso, Sean (2010). 2010–11 Calgary Flames Media Guide. Calgary Flames Hockey Club. pp. 46–47.
  10. "Hedjuk nails shootout attempt, Avalanche edge past Ducks". ESPN. January 13, 2007.
  11. Portzline, Aaron (February 1, 2008). "Blue Jackets deal Glencross to Oilers". Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  12. Duhatschek, Eric (July 2, 2008). "Flames sign Curtis Glencross". Globe and Mail. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  13. Tychkowski, Robert (July 2, 2008). "Change good for Torres". Edmonton Sun. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  14. Ireland, Joanne (July 3, 2008). "Calgary was still close to home for Glencross". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved May 18, 2011.
  15. Klein, Jeff Z. (November 9, 2009). "Flames' Glencross Suspended Three Games for Hit on Rangers' Drury". New York Times. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  16. "Glencross' hat-trick leads Flames to win over Hurricanes". The Sports Network. February 4, 2010. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  17. Gilbertson, Wes (March 18, 2010). "Sutter keeps Glencross' injury secret". Calgary Sun. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  18. Hall, Vicki (May 17, 2011). "Glencross gets $10.2 million contract". Calgary Herald. p. E1.
  19. "Flames pick up Modin, Carson". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. February 28, 2011. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
  20. Hanlon, Peter; Kelso, Sean; Ahrens, Janette; Buer, Greg (eds.). 2012–13 Calgary Flames Media Guide. Calgary Flames Hockey Club. p. 67.
  21. "Former UAA winger Glencross bags 100th career NHL assist, adds goal". Anchorage Daily News. February 24, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2013.
  22. Sportak, Randy (April 20, 2013). "Knee injury ends Glencross' season". Calgary Sun. Archived from the original on May 29, 2013. Retrieved April 26, 2013.
  23. Vickers, Aaron (December 23, 2013). "Flames lose Glencross, Russell to injury". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
  24. Sportak, Randy (March 12, 2014). "Getting bodies back". Calgary Sun. p. S2.
  25. Jones, Shane (March 23, 2014). "Flames rout Oilers behind Glencross hat trick". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  26. Gilbertson, Wes (February 19, 2015). "Curtis Glencross to leave the Calgary Flames? LW asked for list of preferred teams ahead of NHL trade deadline". Calgary Sun. Archived from the original on February 21, 2015. Retrieved March 3, 2015.
  27. Cruickshank, Scott (March 2, 2015). "Flames busy on eve of trade deadline". Calgary Herald. p. D1.
  28. "Curtis Glencross player card". National Hockey League. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  29. Sportak, Randy (September 11, 2015). "No guarantees for Glencross". Calgary Sun. p. S8.
  30. "Curtis Glencross joins Colorado Avalanche in Calgary". Denver Post. September 28, 2015. Retrieved September 28, 2015.
  31. "Curtis Glencross released by Avs, Mikko Rantanen still on roster". Denver Post. October 5, 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2015.
  32. Francis, Eric (October 7, 2015). "Glencross thanks fans, Flames". Calgary Sun. p. S9.
  33. "Former Flames F Glencross retires". The Sports Network. October 20, 2015. Retrieved October 20, 2015.
  34. "Racer finds lucky charm in Glencross". Edmonton Journal. September 1, 2008. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  35. "Glencross: From hockey rink to chuckwagon arena". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. January 10, 2008. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  36. "Player programs". Calgary Flames Hockey Club. Archived from the original on January 21, 2011. Retrieved 2010-09-17.
  37. "Glencross Invitational". Glencross Invitational. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  38. "First annual Glencross Invitational tops $100k" (PDF). Calgary Crime Stoppers. July 29, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 11, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  39. Down, John (March 16, 2012). "Glencross calls Flames' off-ice recognition 'an honour'". Calgary Herald. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
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