Nazem Kadri

Nazem Samir Kadri (born October 6, 1990) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs seventh overall in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He played his junior career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), first with the Kitchener Rangers and then the London Knights. He won the J. Ross Robertson Cup with Kitchener and was part of the Rangers team that lost to the Spokane Chiefs in the final of the 2008 Memorial Cup. Kadri has also represented Canada internationally at the 2010 World Junior Championships, where the team received the silver medal after losing the final to the United States 6–5.

Nazem Kadri
Kadri at the 2010 World Junior Championships
Born	October 6, 1990 London, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	195[1] lb (88 kg; 13 st 13 lb)
Position	Centre
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Colorado Avalanche Toronto Maple Leafs
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	7th overall, 2009 Toronto Maple Leafs
Playing career	2010–present

From the beginning of the 2012–13 season to March 21, 2016, Kadri led the NHL in the number of penalties drawn with 164, 46 more than the second-placed player, Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings.[2]

Playing career

Minor

Kadri grew up playing minor hockey for the London Jr. Knights of the MHAO's AAA Pavilion League. He was a key member of MHAO championship teams at the Peewee, Bantam and Minor Midget levels before moving onto the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in 2006–07. He participated in the 2003 All-Ontario Peewee Championships in Markham, Ontario, as well as the 2005 All-Ontario Bantam Championships in Thunder Bay.

Junior

Nazem Kadri played with the London Knights for his final two seasons in juniors.

Kadri began his OHL career with the Kitchener Rangers after being selected in the first round, 18th overall, of the 2006 OHL Priority Selection.[3] During his second season in the OHL, he played 68 games, recording 25 goals and 40 assists (65 points).[4] During that year's playoffs, Kadri helped the Rangers to an OHL Championship and a berth in the Memorial Cup final, where they lost to the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League (WHL).[5]

After the 2007–08 season, Kadri was traded to the London Knights (his hometown team) in exchange for several draft picks.[6] He played in 56 games for the Knights in 2008–09, recording 25 goals and 53 assists (78 points).[4] Kadri was sidelined during the 2008–09 season when he suffered a broken jaw.[7] He was selected to play for Team OHL in the ADT Canada Russia Challenge, but was unable to participate due to the jaw injury.[8] Kadri was later invited to the Canada men's national junior ice hockey team's selection camp for the 2009 World Junior Championships but did not make the final roster.[7] Also during the 2008–09 season, Kadri was chosen to play in the OHL All-Star Classic, where he suited-up for the Western Conference and scored one goal.[9]

After the 2008–09 OHL season, Kadri was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round, seventh overall, of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.[10] He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the club on July 6, 2009.[11]

After being cut from the Maple Leafs, Kadri returned to play for the Knights in the OHL. He was selected to play for Team OHL in the 2009 Subway Super Series (renamed from the ADT Canada Russia Challenge).[12] He was also selected to represent the Western Conference in the 2009–10 OHL All-Star Classic, his second appearance in the OHL's All-Star Game in as many seasons.[13] On March 30, 2010, Kadri was named the CHL Player of the Week after recording nine points (two goals and seven assists) in three games.[14] The OHL named Kadri the league's Player of the Month for April 2010, a month in which he recorded 26 points (9 goals and 17 assists) in 10 games.[15]

Toronto Maple Leafs

Kadri attended training camp with the Maple Leafs prior to the 2009–10 season. He played in six pre-season games with the club, in which he recorded three goals and two assists. Then-Toronto head coach Ron Wilson had said prior to training camp that Kadri would need to be one of the team's top-six forwards to make the club; Kadri was ultimately returned to the Knights prior to the start of the NHL regular season.[16]

Kadri on the bench (centre) with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL, in the 2011–12 season.

Due to injuries to forwards Christian Hanson and Fredrik Sjöström, Kadri was called-up to the Maple Leafs under an emergency basis, making his NHL debut on February 8, 2010, against the San Jose Sharks. He did not register any points and finished with a −1 plus-minus rating.[17] This was a one-game-only call-up, and he subsequently returned to the London Knights following the game. Ron Wilson said that he would most likely be with the Maple Leafs for the 2010–11 season, though this was in doubt after comments made by both Wilson and then-Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke during the pre-season, indicating that Kadri had not played to the level they expected and was "running out of time" to prove himself.[18][19] In addition, Burke was traditionally a strong supporter of rookies gaining experience at the American Hockey League (AHL) level prior to NHL careers.[20] Kadri was included in the Maple Leafs' last round of cuts, and was subsequently sent to the AHL's Toronto Marlies for the start of the season. However, on November 12, Kadri was called-up by the Maple Leafs (along with fellow prospect Keith Aulie).[21] On November 16, in a game against the Nashville Predators, Kadri recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a goal by Kris Versteeg.[22] Two days later, on November 18, Kadri recorded his first multi-point night with two assists in a game against the New Jersey Devils.

Kadri in 2012.

On March 19, 2011, against goaltender Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins, Kadri scored his first career NHL goal. Kadri was named to the AHL All-Star Game in 2012. Prior to 2012–13 season, Kadri began training under former NHL player and Maple Leaf Gary Roberts over the summer to gain muscle and "play more explosively".[23] On January 19, 2013, when NHL play resumed after the 2012–13 NHL lockout cancelled much of the first half of the scheduled regular season, Kadri made the starting roster for the Maple Leafs in their season opener against the Montreal Canadiens. He would score the first Maple Leafs goal of the season with a powerplay mark assisted by Phil Kessel against goaltender Carey Price. Kadri finished the game named the game's first star. One month later, in a game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Kadri had his first NHL fight, engaging with Tampa Bay's Victor Hedman. With the Maple Leafs losing 4–1 late in the game, Hedman delivered a cross-check to the back of Kadri, who then confronted the 6'6" defenceman. Punches were then exchanged before teammates and officials broke up the fight. On February 28, in a 5–4 win against the New York Islanders, Kadri scored his first career hat-trick.[24] On March 30, he scored his second career hat-trick, and second of the season, in a 4–0 win over the Ottawa Senators.[25] He would finish the season with 18 goals and 26 assists, finishing second only to Phil Kessel for the team lead in points and goals. On May 4, Kadri scored his first Stanley Cup playoff point, recording an assist on a goal by Kessel after Kadri sprung him on a breakaway. On May 13, he scored his first playoff goal against the Boston Bruins in Game 7.

On September 11, 2013, Kadri signed a new two-year, $5.8 million contract with Toronto. On November 13, 2013, Kadri delivered an elbow to the head of Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Bäckström. As a result, the NHL's Department of Player Safety issued Kadri a three-game suspension.[26] During the 2013–14 season, his first full 82-game season, Kadri set career-highs in goals (20) and points (50).

Kadri was suspended twice during the 2014–15 season, the first internally by the organization for showing up late to a team practice; he received a three-game suspension.[27] One week later, Kadri was suspended by the NHL: he received four games for illegally checking Edmonton Oilers forward Matt Fraser in the head.[28] Despite these setbacks, Kadri recorded 39 points in 73 games to lead all Toronto centres in goals. In the subsequent off-season, he signed a new one-year, $4.1 million contract with Toronto.

Kadri (centre) with the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs.

On April 1, 2016, Kadri was fined $5,000 by the NHL for his second and third diving infractions of the season. The first came March 12 against the Ottawa Senators and the second March 21 against the Calgary Flames.[29] On April 4, 2016, Kadri was again suspended by the NHL after he delivered a cross-check to the head of Detroit Red Wings centre Luke Glendening. Kadri received a four-game suspension for the incident, effectively ending his season, and as a repeat offender under the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement, he was also fined $200,000.[30] Despite these misdemeanours, Kadri's play throughout the season was strongly praised by Leafs management, most notably head coach Mike Babcock and general manager Lou Lamoriello. Further, Kadri was heavily praised for his penalty drawing abilities; although he was always complimented on this skill, it received much more media attention this season, with Kadri setting a league-leading best 49 penalties drawn during the season.[2] Additionally, Kadri led the Maple Leafs in various offensive categories, including points (45) and assists (28). On April 13, 2016, following the conclusion of Toronto's season, Kadri signed a new six-year, $27 million contract with the team.[31]

On January 23, 2017, in a game against the Calgary Flames, Kadri scored his 100th career NHL goal.[32] During the Maple Leafs' first-round series with the Washington Capitals in the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, Kadri played approximately 95 minutes of ice time throughout the series when Toronto were at even strength to help push the series to six games.[33] He ended the series with two points, a goal and an assist, in six games as Toronto were eliminated.

During the 2017–18 season, Kadri scored his fourth career NHL hat-trick in a 6–3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 14, 2018.[34] During Toronto's first-round series in the 2018 playoffs against the Boston Bruins, Kadri was suspended three games for a hit on Tommy Wingels in Game 1.[35] Toronto lost the series in seven games.

During Toronto's first-round series against Boston in the 2019 playoffs, Kadri was suspended for the remainder of the first round for cross-checking Jake DeBrusk in Game 2.[36] The Maple Leafs lost the series in seven games.

Colorado Avalanche

On July 1, 2019, Kadri (along with Calle Rosén and a third-round pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft) was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Tyson Barrie, Alexander Kerfoot and a sixth-round pick in 2020.[37]

International play

Kadri with the Canadian national junior ice hockey team in 2010
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
	2010 Saskatoon

Kadri played for Team Ontario at the 2007 Canada Winter Games, where they won a gold medal.[38] He first represented Canada at the 2007 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, where the team finished fourth.[38] Kadri was invited to Canada's selection camp for the 2010 World Junior Championships held in Regina, Saskatchewan. After being cut in 2009, Kadri was selected to represent Canada in 2010.[7] In Canada's preliminary round game against the United States, Kadri was one of the players selected for the shootout, scoring on goaltender Jack Campbell to help Canada secure the victory.[39]

During the tournament, Kadri recorded three goals and five assists.[40] During the tournament, Kadri attracted attention for his refusal to shake hands with Switzerland's Nino Niederreiter after their semi-final game. Kadri did not elaborate on the specifics of what caused his refusal, but did absolve Niederreiter of using an ethnic slur: "Obviously, in big games like that, guys tend to lose their composure a bit, but I didn't take offence to anything he said. It was just that I felt like I didn't have to shake his hand."[41] Kadri later had second thoughts about his refusal, stating, "I regret it a little bit."[42] During the gold medal game against the United States, Kadri had two assists including one on Jordan Eberle's game-tying goal with 1:35 left in the third period.[43] However, Canada lost the game in overtime, leaving Kadri and his teammates with the silver medal.

Personal life

Kadri began skating at age two, began playing organized hockey at age four, and was suiting-up for elite level teams at age six.[44]

Kadri's parents are Sam and Sue, and he has four sisters: Yasmine, Reema, Sabrine and Rayanne.[44][45] Kadri is named after his grandfather.[46] Sam Kadri moved to Canada from the small town of Kfar Danis, Lebanon. Nazem is Muslim and says that he has never had any problems on the ice with "trash talk" about his religious beliefs.[42] Kadri was the first Muslim drafted by the Maple Leafs, and the highest drafted Muslim in NHL history until being surpassed by 2012 first overall pick Nail Yakupov.[44] In high school, Kadri served as a member of his school's Muslim Student Association.[44] Kadri is the fourth player of Lebanese descent to play in the NHL, following John Hanna, Alain Nasreddine and Ed Hatoum.[47] Kadri grew up as a Montreal Canadiens fan under the influence of his father, who was drawn to the team following his immigration to Canada.[48]

In July 2018, Kadri married his fiancée Ashley Cave at Casa Loma in Toronto.[49] They had their first child together, a daughter named Naylah, in 2019.[50][51][52]

In June, 2020, Kadri became an inaugural executive board member the Hockey Diversity Alliance, whose goal is to address intolerance and racism in hockey. [53]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2005–06	London Jr. Knights AAA	AH U16		62	49	43	92	82		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Kitchener Rangers	OHL		62	7	15	22	30		9	0	2	2	4
2007–08	Kitchener Rangers	OHL		68	25	40	65	57		20	9	17	26	26
2008–09	London Knights	OHL		56	25	53	78	31		14	9	12	21	22
2009–10	London Knights	OHL		56	35	58	93	105		12	9	18	27	26
2009–10	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		1	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Toronto Marlies	AHL		44	17	24	41	62		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		29	3	9	12	8		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		21	5	2	7	8		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Toronto Marlies	AHL		48	18	22	40	39		11	3	7	10	6
2012–13	Toronto Marlies	AHL		27	8	18	26	26		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		48	18	26	44	23		7	1	3	4	10
2013–14	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		78	20	30	50	67		—	—	—	—	—
2014–15	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		73	18	21	39	28		—	—	—	—	—
2015–16	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		76	17	28	45	73		—	—	—	—	—
2016–17	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		82	32	29	61	95		6	1	1	2	8
2017–18	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		80	32	23	55	42		4	0	2	2	19
2018–19	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		73	16	28	44	43		2	1	1	2	19
2019–20	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		51	19	17	36	97		15	9	9	18	10
NHL totals				612	180	213	393	484		34	12	16	28	66

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2008	Canada	IH18			4	0	4	4	6
2010	Canada	WJC			6	3	5	8	14
2014	Canada	WC	5th		8	0	3	3	4
Junior totals					10	3	9	12	20
Senior totals					8	0	3	3	4

Awards and honours

Award	Year
OHL
CHL Top Prospects Game	2009
All-Star Game	2010
Second All-Star Team	2010

References

1. "Nazem Kadri Stats and News".
2. "Drawing penalties an 'underrated' skill in today's NHL". TSN. March 21, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2018.
3. "OHL Priority Selection process conducted on Saturday". Canoe, Inc. May 6, 2006. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
4. "Kadri, Nazem – NHL.com – NHL Entry Draft Prospect Profiles". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
5. "Memorial Cup". Hockey Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on April 9, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
6. "London Knights complete trade for Nazem Kadri". Soo Today. June 3, 2008. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
7. "Opportunity knocks for Kadri". December 17, 2009. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
8. "2009 NHL Entry Draft Profile: Nazem Kadri". Ontario Hockey League. June 24, 2009. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
9. "Nazem Kadri (C) – London Knights". Ontario Hockey League. Archived from the original on October 17, 2007. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
10. "NHL Entry Draft". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
11. "Leafs ink first-rounder Kadri to entry level deal". TSN. July 6, 2009. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
12. "Subway Series Roster Announced". Peterborough Petes. October 28, 2009. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
13. "Ontario Hockey League Announces Rosters for the 2010 OHL All-Star Classic". Ontario Hockey League. January 13, 2010. Archived from the original on January 17, 2010. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
14. "London Knights forward Nazem Kadri wins CHL Player of the Week Award". The Canadian Press. March 30, 2010. Retrieved April 9, 2010.
15. "Kadri named OHL player of the month". TSN.ca. April 1, 2010. Retrieved April 9, 2010.
16. James, Peter (September 27, 2009). "Kostitsyn, Kadri among those sent packing from NHL camps". CanWest News Service. Archived from the original on April 9, 2013. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
17. "Leafs call up Kadri". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. February 8, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
18. "Burke: Kadri ready to contribute". March 30, 2010. Archived from the original on October 5, 2010.
19. Ritter, Mark (September 29, 2010). "NHL Preseason: Nazem Kadri Scores Two, but Is It Enough?". bleacherreport.com. Bleacher Report. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
20. McGran, Kevin (September 26, 2010). "Leafs' Nazem Kadri under pressure to perform and build bridges". The Star. Toronto.
21. Mirtle, James (November 12, 2010). "With Leafs in freefall, Kadri called into action". The Globe and Mail. Toronto.
22. "Predators, Maple Leafs boxscore". Archived from the original on April 9, 2013.
23. Brophy, Mike. "BROPHY ON LEAFS: KADRI GOOD OPTION FOR CENTRE". Sportsnet. Archived from the original on April 9, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2012.
24. "Kadri nets hat-trick in win over Islanders". The Sports Network. February 28, 2013. Retrieved February 28, 2013.
25. "Nazem Kadri scores hat trick for Maple Leafs in 4-0 victory over Senators". NHL.com. NHL. March 30, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2017.
26. "Maple Leafs' Kadri suspended three games". NHL.com. NHL. November 13, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
27. "Leafs' Kadri 'embarrassed' by extended suspension". NHL. March 13, 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
28. "Kadri suspended four games for illegal check". NHL. March 18, 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
29. Fisher, Ben (April 4, 2016). "Kadri's season ends with whirlwind few weeks". TSN.com. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
30. The Canadian Press (April 4, 2016). "Leafs' Kadri handed four-game suspension". TSN. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
31. "Leafs lock up Kadri, Rielly to six-year deals". TSN. April 13, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
32. "Calgary Flames - Toronto Maple Leafs - January 23rd, 2017". NHL.com. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
33. Johnston, Chris (October 17, 2017). "Playoff loss to Capitals provides lessons for Maple Leafs' Nazem Kadri". sportsnet.ca. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
34. "Kadri's hat trick, Andersen's 54 saves lifts Leafs over Jackets". tsn.ca. Toronto. February 14, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
35. "Maple Leafs' Nazem Kadri suspended 3 games for hit on Wingels". sportsnet.ca. April 13, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
36. "Leafs' Kadri suspended for the remainder of the first round". tsn.ca. April 15, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
37. Ryan McKenna (July 1, 2019). "Maple Leafs trade Kadri, Rosen to Avalanche for Barrie, Kerfoot". Sportsnet. Retrieved July 1, 2019.
38. "Player Profile Nazem Kadri". Hockey Canada. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
39. Fisher, Scott (January 1, 2010). "Shootouts not for faint of heart". Toronto Sun. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
40. "2010 Team Canada Stats". TSN. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
41. Beacon, Bill and Donna Spencer (January 4, 2010). "Canada's Kadri stays quiet on refusal to shake Niederreiter's hand". The Canadian Press. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
42. Sekeres, Matthew (January 4, 2010). "Kadri regrets reactions to Swiss". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
43. "U.S. CAPTURES GOLD AT JUNIOR HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP WITH 6–5 OT WIN OVER CANADA". The Canadian Press. January 5, 2010. Retrieved January 17, 2010.
44. McGran, Kevin (June 27, 2009). "Maple Leafs get role model". Toronto Star. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
45. Pyette, Ryan (June 30, 2009). "Nazem Kadri ready for Toronto pressure". simcoereformer.ca. Archived from the original on January 4, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
46. Curtis Rush; Kevin McGran (December 5, 2013). "Kadri's grandfather laid groundwork for his NHL success". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
47. Kimelman, Adam (June 16, 2009). "Kadri's background as unique as his skill". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
48. Hotakie, Alima (March 8, 2014). "Nazem Kadri, a minority no more". Al Jazeera. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
49. Hornby, Lance (July 31, 2018). "Leafs hope summer sessions lead to long spring". Toronto Sun. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
50. "Nazem Kadri Foundation". www.facebook.com. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
51. Archuleta, Nadia (July 22, 2019). "Colorado Avalanche: 5 Interesting and Fun Facts about Nazem Kadri". milehighsticking.com. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
52. "░A░s░h░l░e░y░ ░K░a░d░r░i░ 🇧🇷 (@ashleykadri) • Instagram photos and videos". www.instagram.com. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
53. Wegman, Josh (June 30, 2020). "Sharks' Kane: NHL doesn't market minority players enough". theScore.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database
• Muslim Heritage information pertaining to his NHL Career at TheNational.ae