Zenon Konopka

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| image = Zenon Konopka 2011-11-25.JPG

| image_size = 230px

| caption = Konopka with the Ottawa Senators in 2011

| played_for = Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Columbus Blue Jackets
Tampa Bay Lightning
New York Islanders
Ottawa Senators
Minnesota Wild
Buffalo Sabres
KH Sanok

| position = Centre

| shoots = Left

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 0

| weight_lb = 213

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|1|2|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

| draft = Undrafted

| draft_year =

| draft_team =

| career_start = 2002

| career_end = 2015

| website = [https://web.archive.org/web/20121128200521/http://zenonkonopka.com/ ZenonKonopka.com]

}}

Zenon Konopka (born January 2, 1981) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Also known as "Zenon the Destroyer", Konopka played for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Columbus Blue Jackets, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, Minnesota Wild, and Buffalo Sabres during his National Hockey League (NHL) career.

Playing career

As a youth, Konopka played in the 1995 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Niagara Falls, Ontario.{{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=2019-02-10}}

Konopka played junior hockey with the Ottawa 67's of the OHL from 1998 to 2002, and was a member of the 1999 Memorial Cup champions.{{cn|date=February 2019}} He was not drafted by an NHL team and caught on with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.{{cn|date=February 2019}}

File:Zenonkonopka lightning2010.JPG in 2010.]]

After three minor league seasons with various teams in the ECHL and AHL, Konopka made his NHL debut in 2005–2006, playing 23 games for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.{{cn|date=February 2019}} After the Ducks were eliminated, he returned to Portland in the AHL, where he led all playoff scorers in power play goals and assists. In 2006–07, he returned to the minors, playing for Portland in the AHL. On January 26, 2007, he was traded by the Anaheim Ducks along with Curtis Glencross and a draft pick to the Blue Jackets in exchange for forwards Mark Hartigan, Joe Motzko and a draft pick. He played for Columbus's farm team in the AHL, the Syracuse Crunch, with occasional call-ups to the Blue Jackets.{{cn|date=February 2019}}

On July 10, 2008, Konopka signed a two-year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning as a free agent. In 2009, after a strong training camp, Konopka made the Lightning's roster out of training camp. On July 2, 2010, he signed with the New York Islanders as an unrestricted free agent.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=July 2, 2010|title=ISLANDERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH PARENTEAU AND KONOPKA|url=https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/islanders-agree-to-terms-with-parenteau-and-konopka/c-533710|access-date=January 28, 2021|website=New York Islanders}} Konopka was the most penalized player in the 2009–10 and 2010–11 NHL seasons.{{cn|date=February 2019}}

On July 5, 2011, Konopka signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Senators. During the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs, Konopka directed verbal abuse towards a New York Rangers player during a live television interview. Konopka was fined $2,500 by the NHL.Strang, Katie. [https://www.espn.com/new-york/nhl/story/_/id/7820991/2012-stanley-cup-playoffs-ottawa-senators-zenon-konopka-fined-verbal-abuse-new-york-rangers "Sens fined $10K for 'verbal abuse'"]. espn.go.com. April 16, 2012. Retrieved April 16, 2012.

On July 1, 2012, Konopka signed a two-year, $1.85-million contract with the Minnesota Wild. He reportedly had three offers on the table before accepting the deal with Minnesota.Konopka's Wild ride {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130115094342/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Minnesota/2012/07/06/19960671.html]}}

On January 3, 2014, Konopka was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Sabres, with whom he remained until the end of the season.{{Cite web|last=Snow|first=Kevin|date=January 3, 2014|title=KONOPKA CLAIMED OFF WAIVERS BY BUFFALO|url=https://www.nhl.com/sabres/news/konopka-claimed-off-waivers-by-buffalo/c-698824|access-date=January 28, 2021|website=Buffalo Sabres}} On May 15, 2014, Konopka was suspended for 20 games following violation of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program after taking dehydroepiandrosterone on a doctor's suggestion.{{cite web|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=719447&navid=nhl:topheads|title=Buffalo Sabres' Zenon Konopka suspended 20 games|work=NHL.com}} His contract with the Sabres expired July 1, during the suspension, which meant that the term of the suspension was to be served at the beginning of any new contract.

On January 30, 2015, Konopka signed with Ciarko PBS Bank KH Sanok of the PHL in Poland. As of June 2015, he was on tour with other professional journeymen hockey players in Australia. He planned on returning to North America after the tour ended in the hopes of returning to the NHL or, if unable to do that, an American minor league.Potrecz, Bill (June 3, 2015). [http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/2015/06/03/a-man-for-all-seasons A man for all seasons]. St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved June 4, 2015.

On April 1, 2017, Konopka officially retired from hockey when he signed a one-day contract with the Syracuse Crunch to close out his career. Konopka had previously served as Syracuse's captain, and is considered one of the more popular players in team history. Before the game a ceremony featured a video from his former teammates, and the presentation of a lifetime key to the Crowne Plaza Syracuse.{{cite web |url=http://www.syracuse.com/crunch/index.ssf/2017/04/syracuse_crunch_signs_ex-captain_zenon_konopka_to_a_one-day_deal.html|title=Syracuse Crunch signs ex-captain Zenon Konopka (but only for a day)|first=Lindsay|last=Kramer|work=Syracuse.com|date=April 1, 2017|access-date=June 28, 2017}}

According to quanthockey, Konopka has the second best face-off win percentage in history, behind only Yanic Perreault.

Personal

Konopka is also an entrepreneur and owner of Prime Wine Products,{{Cite news|url = http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2012/09/17/konopka-goes-from-enforcer-to-negotiator|title = Konopka goes from enforcer to negotiator|last = Potrecz|first = Bill|date = September 17, 2012|work = Welland Tribune|access-date = August 29, 2014}} and partners with local charities to help children's programs.{{Cite web | url=http://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/isles-files-1.812028/zenon-konopka-partners-with-ny-islanders-children-s-foundation-1.2571364 |title = Newsday | Long Island's & NYC's News Source | Newsday| work=Newsday }} Konopka also owns and operates Konopka Co-Packing, a packaging company that employs over 20 workers. He was once part-owner in an Ottawa bar-restaurant called "Stout Bros."{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Ottawa/2011/07/05/18378396.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720140719/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Ottawa/2011/07/05/18378396.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 20, 2012|title=Are the Senators NHL's toughest team?|author=Canoe inc.|work=canoe.com}} and has run the "Zenon Konopka Hockey Academy" in Ottawa since 2007.{{cite web|url=http://senators.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=568607|title=Konopka, Senators find 'the right fit' together|work=nhl.com}}

Konopka also has a black pet rabbit, Hoppy, and maintains an Instagram and a Twitter account {{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/HoppyKonopka|title=Hoppy Konopka|work=twitter.com}} for his pet, who has relocated with him since 2006. Konopka told Fox Sports North that he never wanted a rabbit as a child, but a friend suggested one as Konopka is allergic to cats and dogs. "I can't help that I fell in love with the little guy ... the guy's pretty cool. He just chills around, has his litter box, does his business there and he's pretty soothing to come home to."http://www.foxsportsnorth.com/nhl/minnesota-wild/story/Konopka-has-embraced-the-bunny-lifestyle?blockID=873977 Konopka Has Embraced the Bunny Lifestyle Konopka also has a specially made hockey jersey made for Hoppy for each team he plays for.{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1910486-addition-of-zenon-konopka-should-be-end-of-john-scotts-time-with-buffalo-sabres|title=Addition of Zenon Konopka Should Be End of John Scott's Time with Buffalo Sabres|author=Dave Emke|work=Bleacher Report}}

Konopka is of Polish descent. His father was born in Poland.{{cite news | url = http://www.aolnews.com/2010/10/05/honoring-his-fathers-war-torn-life-zenon-konopka-fights-for-ev/ | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130117013543/http://www.aolnews.com/2010/10/05/honoring-his-fathers-war-torn-life-zenon-konopka-fights-for-ev/ | url-status = dead | archive-date = January 17, 2013 | title = Honoring His Father's War-Torn Life, Zenon Konopka Fights For Every Shift | first = Christopher | last = Botta | publisher = AOL News | date = October 5, 2010 }} His mother is a native of Buffalo, New York.Hoppe, Bill (January 3, 2014). [http://www.buffalohockeybeat.com/ted-nolan-wants-sabres-youngsters-to-learn-from-veteran-newcomer-zenon-konopka/ Ted Nolan wants Sabres’ youngsters to learn from veteran newcomer Zenon Konopka]. Olean Times Herald. Retrieved January 3, 2014. Konopka's sister, Cynthia, sang the national anthems at Scotiabank Place before the Senators' game on January 16, 2012.{{Cite web| url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Ottawa/2012/01/07/19214726.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120724091214/http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Ottawa/2012/01/07/19214726.html | url-status = usurped | archive-date = July 24, 2012 | title = Cheaps: Doing what a guy's gotta do | publisher = Canoe.ca | date = 2012-01-07 | access-date = 2016-05-07}}

Career statistics

Bold indicates led league

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
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 1997–98	Thorold Blackhawks	GHL	46	6	28	34	139	—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	Ottawa 67's	OHL	56	7	8	15	62	7	0	0	0	2
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 1999–00	Ottawa 67's	OHL	59	8	11	19	107	11	1	2	3	8
2000–01	Ottawa 67's	OHL	66	20	45	65	120	20	7	13	20	47
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2001–02	Ottawa 67's	OHL	61	18	68	86	100	13	8	6	14	49
2002–03	Wheeling Nailers	ECHL	68	22	48	70	231	—	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2002–03	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL	4	0	1	1	9	—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Idaho Steelheads	ECHL	23	6	22	28	82	17	9	8	17	30
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2003–04	Utah Grizzlies	AHL	43	7	4	11	198	—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Cincinnati Mighty Ducks	AHL	75	17	29	46	212	12	3	3	6	26
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2005–06	Portland Pirates	AHL	34	18	26	44	57	19	11	18	29	46
2005–06	Mighty Ducks of Anaheim	NHL	23	4	3	7	48	—	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2006–07	Lada Tolyatti	RSL	4	0	0	0	8	—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Portland Pirates	AHL	42	11	24	35	97	—	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2006–07	Syracuse Crunch	AHL	20	9	11	20	70	—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL	6	0	0	0	20	—	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2007–08	Syracuse Crunch	AHL	62	24	31	55	194	13	3	7	10	42
2007–08	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL	3	0	0	0	15	—	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2008–09	Norfolk Admirals	AHL	70	17	40	57	186	—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL	7	0	1	1	29	—	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2009–10	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL	74	2	3	5	265	—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	New York Islanders	NHL	82	2	7	9	307	—	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2011–12	Ottawa Senators	NHL	55	3	2	5	193	6	0	2	2	2
2012–13	Minnesota Wild	NHL	37	0	0	0	117	2	0	0	0	0
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2013–14	Minnesota Wild	NHL	36	1	1	2	55	—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Buffalo Sabres	NHL	23	0	1	1	33	—	—	—	—	—
style="background:#f0f0f0;" \| 2014–15	KH Sanok	PHL	3	1	0	1	4	8	2	0	2	35
style="background:#e0e0e0;" ! colspan="3" \| NHL totals ! 346 ! 12 ! 18 ! 30 ! 1082 ! 8 ! 0 ! 2 ! 2 ! 2