Jimmy Vesey

Vesey played four years with Harvard University in the NCAA. The North Reading, Massachusetts native finished his collegiate career with 144 points (80 goals, 64 assists) in 128 games and was named ECAC Player of the Year after the 2014–15 season.{{Cite web|url=http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=886551|title=SABRES ACQUIRE RIGHTS TO VESEY|date=June 20, 2016|website=sabres.nhl.com|access-date=June 20, 2016}}

In his junior year, Vesey's outstanding play was rewarded with a top-ten nomination for the Hobey Baker Award.{{cite web|url=http://ecachockey.com/men/2014-15/News/20151903_Hobey_Finalists|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402160852/http://ecachockey.com/men/2014-15/News/20151903_Hobey_Finalists|archive-date=April 2, 2015|title=Ciampini & Vesey Among Hobey Baker Memorial Award Top Ten Finalists|date=March 19, 2015|publisher=ECAC Hockey|access-date=April 5, 2015}} On April 2, 2015, Vesey was named to the Hobey Hat Trick, the 3 finalists for the award, along with University of North Dakota's Zane McIntyre and Boston University's Jack Eichel, with Eichel going on to win the award.{{cite web | url = http://www.hobeybaker.com/news/item/2015-hattrick | title = 2015 3 Finalists announced | publisher = Hobey Baker Award | date = April 2, 2015 | access-date = April 2, 2015 | archive-date = April 3, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150403122609/http://www.hobeybaker.com/news/item/2015-hattrick | url-status = dead }} In 2016, Vesey once again qualified for the Hobey Hat Trick, along with Michigan Wolverine's Kyle Connor and Boston College's Thatcher Demko, this time going on to win the Hobey Baker Award on April 8, 2016.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/harvard-s-jimmy-vesey-wins-2016-hobey-baker-award-004928872.html|title=Harvard's Jimmy Vesey wins 2016 Hobey Baker Award|last=Lambert|first=Ryan|date=April 8, 2016|work=Yahoo Sports|access-date=April 8, 2016}}

Vesey was selected by the Nashville Predators in the 3rd round with the 66th overall selection of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Vesey was good enough for Nashville general manager David Poile to guarantee the senior a roster spot for the end of the 2015–16 regular season and playoffs. But Vesey informed the Predators he was not interested in signing. Vesey wanted to choose his destination, which any collegian can do four years out from when they are drafted.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/hockey/2016/05/14/fluto-shinzawa-nhl-prospect-jimmy-vesey-has-practiced-patience/5OnO3FUhjURr7F7bobeLEN/story.html|title=NHL prospect Jimmy Vesey has practiced patience|last=Shinzawa|first=Fluto|date=May 14, 2016|website=The Boston Globe|access-date=June 27, 2016|url-access=subscription }}

Vesey's decision came as a blow to the Predators' organization. However, it was also within the bounds of the NHL's Collective Bargaining Agreement, which gives teams four years to sign college draftees and thus allows for the drafted player to move to free agency shortly after his senior year.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/report-top-prospect-jimmy-vesey-picks-free-agency-over-predators/|title=Report: Top prospect Jimmy Vesey picks free agency over Predators|last=Peters|first=Chris|date=March 29, 2016|website=CBSSports.com|access-date=June 27, 2016}} On March 30, 2016, almost five months before he was officially set to become a free agent, it was reported that Vesey would sign with his hometown team, the Boston Bruins.{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nhl/2016/03/30/jimmy-vesey-nashville-predators-prospect-boston-bruins-free-agent|title=Report: Jimmy Vesey to sign with Bruins as UFA}} However, these reports did not end up being true.

On June 20, 2016, the Buffalo Sabres acquired Vesey's rights from the Predators in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The deal was made in order to give the Sabres an extra few weeks of exclusive negotiating rights with Vesey before he became a free agent. Despite this, Vesey's agent informed ESPN that he had still intended to become a free agent.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/veseys-agent-says-ncaa-standout-plans-to-become-free-agent-despite-trade-to-sabres/|title=Vesey's agent says NCAA standout plans to become free agent despite trade to Sabres|last=Clinton|first=Jared|date=June 21, 2016|website=The Hockey News|access-date=August 18, 2016}} While discussions with the Sabres continued, a deal was not struck and in accordance with the NHL CBA, Vesey became an unrestricted free agent on August 16.{{Cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nhl/2016/08/15/jimmy-vesey-nhl-free-agent-likely-team-to-get-him|title=Big decision looming for prized free-agent Jimmy Vesey|last=Muir|first=Allan|date=August 15, 2016|website=Sports Illustrated|access-date=August 18, 2016}}{{cite web|title=Jimmy Vesey has found home on Broadway after rough first stint with Rangers|author=Walker, Mollie|date=February 1, 2023|accessdate=2023-02-04|publisher=New York Post|url=https://nypost.com/2023/02/01/jimmy-vesey-has-found-home-with-rangers-on-second-go-around/}}

In the two days following his free agency, Vesey met with seven NHL teams.{{Cite web|url=http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/vesey-met-with-seven-teams-discussing-options-thursday-what-can-each-team-offer/|title=Vesey met with seven teams, discussing options Thursday — what can each team offer?|last=Clinton|first=Jared|date=August 18, 2016|website=The Hockey News|access-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902002407/http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/vesey-met-with-seven-teams-discussing-options-thursday-what-can-each-team-offer/|archive-date=September 2, 2016|url-status=dead}} Five more teams requested to meet with Vesey, but were denied.{{efn|The seven teams Vesey granted meetings to were the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The five teams Vesey denied meetings to were the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers.}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2016/08/jimmy_vesey_meeting_with_final_contenders_wednesda.html|title=Jimmy Vesey meeting with final contenders Wednesday, reports say|last=Ryan|first=Chris|date=August 17, 2016|website=NJ.com|access-date=August 18, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/jimmy-vesey-wants-to-play-close-to-home-report/c-281350300?tid=281072352|title=Jimmy Vesey wants to play close to home: report|date=August 16, 2016|website=National Hockey League|access-date=August 18, 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-celebrities-make-pitch-to-jimmy-vesey/c-281355238?tid=281072352|title=Rangers celebrity fans making pitches to Jimmy Vesey|date=August 17, 2016|website=National Hockey League|access-date=August 18, 2016}}

On August 20, 2016, Vesey signed with the New York Rangers.{{cite web|title=Rangers Agree to Terms With Jimmy Vesey|url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-jimmy-vesey/c-891321|website=NHL.com|access-date=October 12, 2016|date=August 20, 2016}} After attending the training camp, Vesey received the Lars-Erik Sjöberg Award, which is given to the best Rangers' rookie in the camp.{{cite web|title=Jimmy Vesey Named Winner of Lars-Erik Sjoberg Award|url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/vesey-named-winner-of-lars-erik-sjoberg-award/c-282445340|website=NHL.com|access-date=October 12, 2016|date=October 6, 2016}} On October 17, 2016, Vesey scored his first NHL goal in a 7–4 win over the San Jose Sharks.{{cite web|last1=Rosen|first1=Dan|title=Jimmy Vesey scores first NHL goal|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/jimmy-vesey-scores-first-nhl-goal/c-282768782|website=NHL.com|access-date=October 18, 2016|date=October 18, 2016}}{{cite web|last1=Cyrgalis|first1=Brett|title=Rangers rookie Jimmy Vesey soaks up 'pure joy' of first goal|url=https://nypost.com/2016/10/18/rangers-rookie-jimmy-vesey-soaks-up-pure-joy-of-first-goal/|website=New York Post|access-date=October 18, 2016|date=October 18, 2016}}

On November 8, 2017, in a game against the Boston Bruins, Vesey scored 2 goals in 29 seconds. This was the quickest number of goals scored by a Rangers player since Jaromír Jágr did so in 26 seconds in 2006.{{cite web|title=Quick-strike ability of Vesey highlights Rangers win|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/quick-strike-ability-of-jimmy-vesey-highlights-new-york-win/c-292784350|website=NHL.com|access-date=November 10, 2017|date=November 9, 2017}} The Rangers eventually won the game 4–2. On March 12, 2018, Vesey recorded his first career NHL hat trick in a game against the Carolina Hurricanes, which the Rangers won 6–3.{{cite web|last1=Rosen|first1=Dan|title=Vesey's hat trick lifts Rangers past Hurricanes|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/carolina-hurricanes-new-york-rangers-game-recap/c-296885592|website=NHL.com|access-date=March 12, 2018|date=March 12, 2018}}

On July 1, 2019, the Sabres again acquired Vesey in exchange for another third-round draft selection through a trade with the Rangers. This marks the first time in professional sports that a player was traded to the same team with the same compensation twice.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/sabres-acquire-vesey-from-rangers/c-308141622 | title = Sabres acquire Vesey from Rangers | website = Buffalo Sabres | date = July 1, 2019 | access-date = July 1, 2019}} In the 2019–20 season, Vesey was unable to add the offensive punch expected for the Sabres, posting a career low 9 goals and 20 points in 64 games, before the remainder of the regular season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a free agent from the Sabres, Vesey was signed to a one-year, $900,000 contract by the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 11, 2020.{{cite web| url = https://www.nhl.com/mapleleafs/news/jimmy-vesey-maple-leafs-signing/c-319430504 | title = Maple Leafs sign Jimmy Vesey | publisher = Toronto Maple Leafs | date = October 11, 2020 | access-date = October 11, 2020}} In the pandemic-delayed 2020–21 season, Vesey initially appeared for the Maple Leafs on the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander before shifting into in a bottom-six forward role, contributing with 5 goals and 7 points through 30 games.

On March 17, 2021, Vesey was claimed off waivers from Toronto by the Vancouver Canucks, marking his fourth NHL club in three seasons.{{cite web |title=Canucks Claim Forward Jimmy Vesey Off Waivers |url=https://www.nhl.com/canucks/news/canucks-claim-jimmy-vesey/c-322610112 |website=NHL.com |access-date=March 29, 2021 |date=March 17, 2021}}{{cite web| url = https://www.tsn.ca/vancouver-canucks-claim-jimmy-vesey-from-maple-leafs-ottawa-senators-nab-anton-forsberg-from-jets-1.1609096 | title = Canucks claim Vesey from Maple Leafs, Senators nab Forsberg from Jets | publisher = The Sports Network | date = March 17, 2021 | access-date = March 17, 2021}} Vesey made 20 regular season appearances with the Canucks, collecting 3 assists, as the team missed out on the playoffs.

As a free agent from the Canucks, on September 14, 2021, Vesey was signed to a professional tryout contract (PTO) by the New Jersey Devils.{{cite web |title=Devils Sign Three Players to Professional Tryout Contracts |url=https://www.nhl.com/devils/news/jimmy-vesey-mark-jankowski-tyler-wotherspoon-professional-tryout-contract-nhl-new-jersey-devils-pto/c-326144450 |website=NHL.com |access-date=September 15, 2021 |date=September 14, 2021}} On October 10, 2021, Vesey signed a one-year, $800,000 contract by the Devils, which marked his fifth NHL club in four seasons.{{Cite web|title=New Jersey Devils Sign Jimmy Vesey|url=https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2021/10/new-jersey-devils-sign-jimmy-vesey.html|access-date=2021-10-10|website=Pro Hockey Rumors|language=en-US}} Vesey played 68 games with the Devils, with eight goals.

File:New York Rangers at Seattle Kraken - October 21, 2023 - Jimmy Vesey and Adam Larsson (53282683646).jpg of the Seattle Kraken in 2023.]]

After going unsigned in free agency, Vesey agreed to terms with the Rangers on September 2, 2022. He signed a tryout contract, with the Rangers intending to use him as a defensive forward on their fourth line.{{cite web|work=New York Post|author=Brooks, Larry|date=September 26, 2022|accessdate=2022-09-27|url=https://nypost.com/2022/09/26/jimmy-vesey-is-a-different-player-in-his-rangers-comeback/|title=Jimmy Vesey reinvented himself for second Rangers act after ‘miserable’ career turn}} On October 9, the Rangers signed Vesey to a one-year contract.{{cite web |title=Rangers Agree to Terms with Jimmy Vesey |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-jimmy-vesey/c-336212368 |website=NHL.com |access-date=October 10, 2022 |date=October 9, 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Mollie |title=Rangers sign Jimmy Vesey to cement his Broadway return |url=https://nypost.com/2022/10/09/rangers-sign-jimmy-vesey-to-cement-his-broadway-return/ |publisher=New York Post |accessdate=October 12, 2022 |date=October 9, 2022}} On January 4, 2023, he signed a contract extension to stay with the Rangers for another two years.{{cite web |title=Rangers Agree to Terms with Jimmy Vesey on Two-Year Extension |url=https://www.nhl.com/rangers/news/rangers-agree-to-terms-with-jimmy-vesey-on-two-year-extension/c-339525566 |website=NHL.com |access-date=January 4, 2023 |date=January 4, 2023}}{{cite web |last1=Kaplan |first1=Emily |title=Rangers sign Jimmy Vesey to 2-year extension through 2024-25 |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/35377845/rangers-sign-jimmy-vesey-2-year-extension-2024-25 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=January 4, 2023 |date=January 4, 2023}}

On March 1, 2025, the Rangers traded Vesey, Hank Kempf, and Ryan Lindgren to the Colorado Avalanche, in exchange for Calvin de Haan, Juuso Parssinen, and two conditional draft picks in 2025.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/avalanche-acquiring-lindgren-vesey-from-rangers-for-parssinen-de-haan/ |title=Avalanche acquire Lindgren, Vesey from Rangers for Parssinen, de Haan |agency=Associated Press |website=sportsnet.ca |date=March 1, 2025 |access-date=March 1, 2025}}

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{{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}}

{{MedalSport|Ice hockey}}

{{MedalCompetition|World Championships}}

{{MedalBronze|2015 Czech Republic|}}

{{MedalCompetition|World Junior Championships}}

{{MedalGold|2013 Russia|}}

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Vesey won a gold medal while playing for the U.S. national junior team at the 2013 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship and took home a bronze medal as part of senior team at the 2015 IIHF World Championship.

His father, Jim Vesey, was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the eighth round of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, going on to play 15 games in the National Hockey League; he works as a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs.{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/jimmy-vesey-boston-bruins-sign-herald-report-harvard-nashville-predators-toronto-maple-leafs-free-agent/|title=Report: Jimmy Vesey will sign with Boston Bruins|last=Fox|first=Luke|date=March 30, 2016|website=SportsNet.ca|access-date=June 27, 2016}}

Jimmy's younger brother Nolan was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. He was traded in June 2018 to the Edmonton Oilers and signed an entry-level contract with them.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/nolan-vesey-toronto-maple-leafs-edmonton-oilers-1.4699035|title=Oilers acquire prospect Nolan Vesey in trade with Leafs|website=CBC.ca|date=June 8, 2018|access-date=June 16, 2018}}

Growing up, Vesey was friends with 2012 NHL Entry Draft pick Matt Grzelcyk. The two first met when they were around the age of six, playing hockey together for a team named the Middlesex Islanders. The Islanders were coached by Vesey's father.{{cite web | url = https://www.si.com/nhl/2015/11/27/jimmy-vesey-matt-grzelcyk-harvard-boston-university-hockey | title = Prospects and pals, Matt Grzelcyk and Jimmy Vesey make NHL wait | last = Prewitt | first = Alex | website = Sports Illustrated | date = November 27, 2015 | access-date = November 21, 2017 }} They similarly both attended the Belmont Hill School in Belmont, Massachusetts, and played hockey together there.{{cite news |last1=Rayan |first1=Connor |title=Reenergized Grzelcyk embraces captaincy with Terriers |url=https://dailyfreepress.com/blog/2014/10/09/reenergized-grzelcyk-embraces-captaincy-with-terriers/ |access-date=November 5, 2018 |publisher=The Daily Free Press |date=October 9, 2014 |quote=After playing high school hockey with Vesey at Belmont Hill School in Belmont, Grzelcyk, just 16 years old at the time, made the move out to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to join the USA Hockey National Team Development Program}}

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• {{Ice hockey stats}}

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{{succession box | before = Jack Eichel | title = Hobey Baker Award | years = 2015–16 | after = Will Butcher}}

{{succession box | before = Greg Carey/Shayne Gostisbehere | title = ECAC Hockey Player of the Year | years = 2014–15, 2015–16 | after = Mike Vecchione}}

{{succession box | before = Daniel Carr | title = ECAC Hockey Tournament MOP | years = 2015 | after = Connor Clifton}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Vesey, Jimmy}}

Category:1993 births

Category:Living people

Category:American men's ice hockey left wingers

Category:Buffalo Sabres players

Category:Colorado Avalanche players

Category:Harvard Crimson men's ice hockey players

Category:Hobey Baker Award winners

Category:Ice hockey players from Massachusetts

Category:Nashville Predators draft picks

Category:New Jersey Devils players

Category:New York Rangers players

Category:People from North Reading, Massachusetts

Category:Ice hockey people from Middlesex County, Massachusetts

Category:Toronto Maple Leafs players

Category:Vancouver Canucks players

Category:AHCA Division I men's ice hockey All-Americans

Category:21st-century American sportsmen