Harry Zolnierczyk

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| name = Harry Zolnierczyk

| image = Harry Zolnierczyk 2013-12-21 1.JPG

| image_size =

| caption = Zolnierczyk with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2013

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|9|1}}

| birth_place = Toronto, Ontario, Canada

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 11

| weight_lb = 180

| position = Wing

| shoots = Left

| played_for = Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
New York Islanders
Anaheim Ducks
Nashville Predators

| draft = Undrafted

| career_start = 2010

| career_end = 2019

}}

Harrison Zolnierczyk (born September 1, 1987) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger. Zolnierczyk was never drafted into the National Hockey League (NHL) but played for the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators.

Playing career

As a youth, Zolnierczyk played in the 2001 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Mississauga Senators minor ice hockey team.{{cite web|url=https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|title=Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA|year=2018|website=Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament|access-date=2019-02-15|archive-date=2019-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306085544/https://www.publicationsports.com/ressources/files/439/Joueurs_Pro.pdf|url-status=dead}}

Prior to turning professional, Zolnierczyk played junior A for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the BCHL from 2005–2007 before attending Brown University where he played four seasons with the Brown Bears in Division I of the NCAA, ECAC conference. In his senior season with Brown, Zolnierczyk was named team captain, replacing graduating captain Aaron Volpatti.{{cite web|title=Zolnierczyk named 2010–2011 men's hockey captain; Brownschidle, MacLellan, & Russell named assistant captains|url=http://brownbears.com/sports/m-hockey/2009-10/releases/20100422x7nhf6|work=Brown Bears|date=April 22, 2010|accessdate=October 19, 2011}} After scoring 31 points, including a career-high 16 goals, Zolnierczyk was named Ivy League Player of the Year.{{cite web|last=McCoy|first=Ethan|title=Zolnierczyk '11 named men's hockey Ivy League Player of the Year|url=http://www.browndailyherald.com/zolnierczyk-11-named-men-s-hockey-ivy-league-player-of-the-year-1.2505124#.Tp9l_N6a9tM|work=The Brown Daily Herald|date=March 4, 2011|accessdate=October 19, 2011}}

On March 8, 2011, Zolnierczyk signed a one-year, $900,000 entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers to take effect at the outset of the 2011–12 season.{{cite web|title=Around the NHL: Flyers sign Brown captain|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/2011/03/08/nhl-flyers-sign-brown-captain.html|work=Fox News Channel|date=March 8, 2011|access-date=October 19, 2011}}{{cite web|title=Harry Zolnierczyk |url=http://capgeek.com/players/display.php?id=1928 |work=CapGeek |accessdate=October 19, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015211058/http://capgeek.com/players/display.php?id=1928 |archivedate=October 15, 2011 }} Less than a week later, he signed an amateur tryout contract with the Flyers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms.{{cite web|title=Zolnierczyk Signs ATO with Phantoms|url=http://www.phantomshockey.com/pages/news/articles/20110314.asp|work=Adirondack Phantoms|date=March 14, 2011|accessdate=October 19, 2011|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424052936/http://www.phantomshockey.com/pages/news/articles/20110314.asp|archivedate=April 24, 2013}} In sixteen games with the Phantoms, Zolnierczyk finished the 2010–11 season with three goals, two assists, and 37 penalty in minutes.

After being cut by the Flyers on October 4, 2011, following his first NHL training camp and pre-season, Zolnierczyk was assigned to the Phantoms to begin his first full professional ice hockey season.{{cite web|last=Carchidi|first=Sam|title=Flyers send Schenn to minors, waive role players|url=http://articles.philly.com/2011-10-05/sports/30247134_1_brayden-schenn-wayne-simmonds-riemsdyk|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210094634/http://articles.philly.com/2011-10-05/sports/30247134_1_brayden-schenn-wayne-simmonds-riemsdyk|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 10, 2015|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=October 5, 2011|accessdate=October 19, 2011}} On October 18, 2011, the Flyers re-called Zolnierczyk to replace injured forward Andreas Nödl in a game against the Ottawa Senators.{{cite web|last=Panaccio |first=Tim |title=Flyers' call up Zolnierczyk to debut; Bob to start |url=http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/flyers-talk/post/Flyers-recall-Zolnierczyk-Bob-to-start?blockID=579148&feedID=704 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130120065635/http://www.csnphilly.com/blog/flyers-talk/post/Flyers-recall-Zolnierczyk-Bob-to-start?blockID=579148&feedID=704 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 20, 2013 |work=Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia |date=October 18, 2011 |accessdate=October 19, 2011 }} In the first game of his NHL career, he scored his first NHL goal with 45 seconds remaining in the third period against Senators' goaltender Craig Anderson.{{cite web|last=Nicks|first=Erin|title=Flyers rout struggling Senators 7–2|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2011020073&navid=sb:recap|work=National Hockey League|date=October 18, 2011|accessdate=October 19, 2011}} On March 3, 2013, the league suspended him for four games for charging Mike Lundin during the game.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=658395 |work=National Hockey League |title=Flyers' Zolnierczyk suspended four games |date=March 3, 2013 |accessdate=February 10, 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305031007/http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=658395 |archivedate=March 5, 2013 }}

File:Harry Zolnierczyk 2013-12-21 2.JPG captain Sidney Crosby]]

On April 1, 2013, Zolnierczyk was traded to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for enforcer Jay Rosehill.{{cite web|title=Harry Z traded for Rosehill|url=http://flyers.nhl.com/club/blogpost.htm?id=15909|work=National Hockey League|first=Anthony|last=SanFilippo|date=April 1, 2013|accessdate=April 1, 2013}} Two months later on June 24, 2013, the Ducks traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for defenceman Alex Grant.{{cite web|url=http://ducks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=675012|title=Ducks acquire Alex Grant from Penguins|work=National Hockey League|date=June 24, 2013|accessdate=June 24, 2013}} On July 12, 2013, the Penguins signed him to a one-year, two-way contract, worth $550,000.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=677919|title=Penguins re-sign forward Zolnierczyk|date=July 12, 2013|work=National Hockey League|accessdate=February 10, 2015}}

On July 1, 2014, Zolnierczyk left the Penguins and agreed to a one-year two-way free agent contract with the New York Islanders.{{cite web|url=http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=725059|title=Islanders sign three to two-way deals|work=National Hockey League|date=July 1, 2014|accessdate=July 1, 2014}} He was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, after clearing waivers.{{cite web|url=http://islanders.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=732862|title=October Transactions|date=October 23, 2014|work=National Hockey League|accessdate=February 10, 2015}} Later on in the Islanders' 2014–15 season, he was recalled to the team along with Colin McDonald after injuries sidelined forwards Michael Grabner and Cal Clutterbuck,{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/2015/02/08/islanders-hang-on-for-3-2-win-over-sabres/23093123/|title=Islanders hang on for 3–2 win over Sabres|work=USA Today|date=February 8, 2015|accessdate=February 10, 2015}} but was returned to the Sound Tigers after two games.{{cite web|url=http://www.soundtigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=22700&ATCLID=209802389|title=Transaction History|work=Bridgeport Sound Tigers|accessdate=February 22, 2015}}

On July 3, 2015, Zolnierczyk signed as a free agent to a one-year, two-way contract with the Anaheim Ducks.{{cite web| url = http://ducks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=773930 | title = Ducks sign Zolnierczyk to one-year deal | publisher = Anaheim Ducks | date = 2015-07-03 | accessdate = 2015-07-03}}

On July 1, 2016, having concluded his contract with the Ducks, Zolnierczyk agreed to a one-year, two-way deal with his fifth NHL club, the Nashville Predators.{{cite news| url = http://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nhl/predators/2016/07/01/predators-sign-defenseman-yannick-weber/86604744/ | title = Predators pad depth on opening day of free agency | newspaper = The Tennessean | date = 2016-07-01 | accessdate = 2016-07-01}} Zolnierczyk split the 2016–17 season evenly between the Predators and Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. Adding a physical presence to the fourth line of the Predators, Zolnierczyk appeared in 24 games for 2 goals and 4 points. He made his post-season debut in featuring in 11 games for 3 points as the Predators made it to the Stanley Cup finals.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/playoffs-worth-the-wait-for-harry-zolnierczyk/c-288930732 | title = Playoffs worth the wait for Harry Zolnierczyk | publisher = Nashville Predators | date = 2017-04-20 | accessdate = 2017-04-20}}

As a free agent in the off-season, the Florida Panthers signed Zolnierczyk to a professional try-out contract to attend training camp on August 31, 2017.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/panthers/news/florida-panthers-announce-pto-for-forward-harry-zolnierczk/c-290825804 | title = Florida Panthers announce PTO for Harry Zolnierczyk | publisher = Florida Panthers | date = 2017-08-31 | accessdate = 2017-08-31}} Despite initial reports of being a contract, Zolnierczyk was released from his try-out following the conclusion of training camp and the pre-season on October 1, 2017. Two days later, Zolnierczyk was announced to have returned to the Nashville Predators in re-signing to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2017–18 season.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/predators/news/preds-sign-harry-zolnierczyk/c-291563482 | title = Preds sign Harry Zolnierczyk | publisher = Nashville Predators | date = 2017-10-03 | accessdate = 2017-10-04}}

Having played two seasons within the Predators organization, Zolnierczyk as a free agent again acquainted with the Florida Panthers, securing a one-year AHL contract with affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, on July 12, 2018.{{cite web| url = http://www.springfieldthunderbirds.com/news/detail/thunderbirds-sign-f-harry-zolnierczyk-to-ahl-one-way-contract | title = Thunderbirds sign Harry Zolnierczyk to one-year AHL contract | publisher = Springfield Thunderbirds | date = 2018-07-12 | accessdate = 2018-07-12}}

As a free agent and having left the Thunderbirds, Zolnierczyk agreed to a one-year AHL contract with the Hartford Wolf Pack, affiliate to the New York Rangers, on July 1, 2019.{{cite web| url = https://theahl.com/wolf-pack-ink-loverde-mccollum-zolnierczyk | title = Wolf Pack ink LoVerde, McCollum and Zolnierczyk | publisher = American Hockey League | date = July 1, 2019 | accessdate = July 1, 2019}} Zolnierczyk failed to report for training camp with the Wolf Pack, opting to end his professional career prior to the 2019–20 season.

Personal life

On June 6, 2017, it was announced that Zolnierczyk would participate in the Foxboro Summer Pro League, at the Foxboro Sports Center in Foxboro, Massachusetts, as the captain for Team Pop Tops.{{cite web | url = http://www.foxborosportscenter.com/page/show/1194493-summer-pro-league | title = Summer Pro League rosters | website = foxborosportscenter.com | date = 2017-06-06 | accessdate = 2017-06-06 | archive-date = 2017-06-25 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170625081634/http://www.foxborosportscenter.com/page/show/1194493-summer-pro-league | url-status = dead }}{{cite web| url = https://www.instagram.com/p/BVASGBzgt74/ | title = When you realised FPL is about to begin | publisher = Instagram | date = 2017-06-06 | accessdate = 2017-06-06}} On August 23, 2017, at the Foxboro Sports Center, Zolnierczyk led his team to a 10-9 championship final win, he won an award for classiest played called the "Dennis Cutler Sportsmanship Award" after giving game-used sticks to two local teenagers who had supported the team.

Zolnierczyk played baseball during his youth, and played in the 2000 Little League World Series with High Park Little League of Toronto, Ontario.

Career statistics

border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em"
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| ! colspan="5" \| Regular season ! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" \| ! colspan="5" \| Playoffs
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! Season ! Team ! League ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM ! GP ! G ! A ! Pts ! PIM
2005–06 \| Alberni Valley Bulldogs \| BCHL \| 53	9	13	22	40 \| 6	1	3	4	10
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2006–07 \| Alberni Valley Bulldogs \| BCHL \| 47	20	18	38	85 \| 5	3	2	5	10
2007–08 \| Brown University \| ECAC \| 16	0	3	3	2 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2008–09 \| Brown University \| ECAC \| 31	1	1	2	30 \| —	—	—	—	—
2009–10 \| Brown University \| ECAC \| 37	13	20	33	78 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2010–11 \| Brown University \| ECAC \| 30	16	15	31	128 \| —	—	—	—	—
2010–11 \| Adirondack Phantoms \| AHL \| 16	3	2	5	37 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2011–12 \| Philadelphia Flyers \| NHL \| 37	3	3	6	35 \| —	—	—	—	—
2011–12 \| Adirondack Phantoms \| AHL \| 39	8	13	21	37 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2012–13 \| Adirondack Phantoms \| AHL \| 52	9	8	17	54 \| —	—	—	—	—
2012–13 \| Philadelphia Flyers \| NHL \| 7	0	1	1	36 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2012–13 \| Norfolk Admirals \| AHL \| 9	2	0	2	14 \| —	—	—	—	—
2013–14 \| Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins \| AHL \| 57	18	18	36	75 \| 17	3	7	10	10
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2013–14 \| Pittsburgh Penguins \| NHL \| 13	2	0	2	12 \| —	—	—	—	—
2014–15 \| Bridgeport Sound Tigers \| AHL \| 60	18	26	44	78 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2014–15 \| New York Islanders \| NHL \| 2	0	0	0	0 \| —	—	—	—	—
2015–16 \| San Diego Gulls \| AHL \| 24	6	3	9	31 \| 4	0	0	0	0
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2015–16 \| Anaheim Ducks \| NHL \| 1	0	0	0	0 \| —	—	—	—	—
2016–17 \| Milwaukee Admirals \| AHL \| 24	6	10	16	20 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2016–17 \| Nashville Predators \| NHL \| 24	2	2	4	10 \| 11	1	2	3	0
2017–18 \| Milwaukee Admirals \| AHL \| 73	21	21	42	62 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#f0f0f0" \| 2018–19 \| Springfield Thunderbirds \| AHL \| 72	15	36	51	38 \| —	—	—	—	—
bgcolor="#e0e0e0" ! colspan="3" \| NHL totals ! 84 !! 7 !! 6 !! 13 !! 93 ! 11 !! 1 !! 2 !! 3 !! 0