User:SomeHockeyProfiles/Evan Whitaker

Evan Whitaker (born January 14, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward, currently playing with the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League. He was selected in the 1st round (2nd overall) by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

Colorado Avalanche (2011-13)
Whitaker had made the Avalanche out of training camp for the 2011-12 NHL season, and made his highly-anticipated regular season debut on October 11, 2011 (the Avalanche were shut out by the Detroit Red Wings on October 8, but Whitaker did not play) against the Boston Bruins, recording an assist on the game-winning and only goal. He recorded his first hat trick on October 13, scoring three goals and three assists against the Ottawa Senators. Whitaker scored 18 points (8 goals and 10 assists) in 11 games in the month of October, as he was not sent back to the Greyhounds.

In the last game of November, Whitaker took an illegal hit from Slava Voynov of the Los Angeles Kings. Whitaker was not injured on the initial play, but minutes later he scored on a breakaway with a through-the-legs move and Cooke sucker punched him from behind, knocking Whitaker out and putting him out of the lineup for the next month. He returned on December 2nd versus the St. Louis Blues, with the Avalanche winning 3-2 in a shootout. Whitaker had a goal and assist.

In the 14 games following, Whitaker was able to notch 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) for a total of 46 points on the season. Once again Whitaker was put at serious risk when he took a hit from behind from Greg Zanon of the Minnesota Wild, however he was not injured and remained playing in the game, showing no signs of injury. Whitaker had become the target of many enforcers, largely because of his high point totals.

Whitaker would score another hat trick against the Chicago Blackhawks on January 6, 2012. He added an assist, the final score being 4-0. He also scored on a penalty shot for the game-winning overtime goal against the Florida Panthers on January 18. Whitaker had five assists against the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 24.

Whitaker scored the Avalanche's final goal of the 2011-12 season. It came against the Nashville Predators at 8:09 of the first period, assisted by Matt Duchene and Cody McLeod. He finished the year playing 64 games, notching 36 goals and 74 assists for a total of 110 points.

SC Bern (2012-13)
Whitaker went to play for SC Bern of the National League A due to the lockout. Strangely, Whitaker was the only player not to return to his NHL club, as the Avalanche were left without Whitaker. His play in the 2012-13 NHL season had been highly anticipated and this was the main cause for his trade, as management was unhappy with his decision to stay in Switzerland. In 50 regular season games, Whitaker had 25 goals and 30 assists (55 points) for Bern, plus 24 points (10 goals, 14 assists) in 22 games as Bern won the championship.

Vancouver Canucks (2013-present)
Whitaker had a very successful campaign with SC Bern, and was given a contract offer by ZSC Lions, another NLA team like Bern that wished for him to join its roster, seeing as he had played a full season already and been a point-per-game player, just as in the NHL. Colorado wanted Whitaker out due to his decision to stay, however, and traded him for Vancouver's second-round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and Jordan Schroeder. The Canucks named him to their opening-day roster for 2013-14

Whitaker was expected to need a few games to re-adjust to the NHL game after having spent a season in Switzerland, and because he had only been to two practices with the team. Whitaker's first game with the Canucks on October 3, 2014 was a loss, although he did score Vancouver's only goal. He played the entire month of October (15 games) and recorded 7 goals and 13 assists for 20 points. He played on the second line, although he would later be elevated, replacing Radim Vrbata. He was put in as center between Henrik and Daniel Sedin, with Henrik on the left wing and Daniel on the right.

International
Whitaker was 22 years 18 days on February 1, 2014, when he was named to Team Canada, making him the youngest player on the team.

International
Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:Calder Trophy winners Category:Canadian ice hockey forwards Category:Colorado Avalanche draft picks Category:Colorado Avalanche players Category:Vancouver Canucks players Category:Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds players Category:Sportspeople from Newmarket, Ontario Category:National Hockey League second-overall draft picks Category:National Hockey League first-round draft picks