Mark Giordano
Encyclopedia
Mark Giordano is a Canadian
professional ice hockey
defenceman
, an alternate captain for the Calgary Flames
of the National Hockey League
(NHL). He was a leading scorer amongst defencemen in two seasons with the Owen Sound Attack
of the Ontario Hockey League
(OHL) but went unselected in the NHL Entry Draft
. The Flames signed him a contract in 2004, and after playing two seasons in the American Hockey League
(AHL), he made his NHL debut in 2006. He spent the 2007–08 season with Dynamo Moscow
of the Russian Super League before returning to the Flames the following season. Internationally, Giordano played with Team Canada at the 2010 IIHF World Championship
.
, Ontario
on October 3, 1983. His father, Paul, is a real estate agent and his mother, Anna, a hairdresser. He has an older sister, Michelle, and had another older sister, Mia, who was killed in a car accident when he was 14. He taps his helmet twice with his stick at the end of the national anthems before each game as a quiet tribute to his sister, whose death had a lasting impact on Giordano and his family, bringing them closer together.
Giordano played his early minor hockey with the OMHA's Richmond Hill Stars up to Bantam before moving to the GTHL North York Rangers for Major Midget hockey. Giordano was never drafted by an OHL team.
Giordano then played a season of Junior A hockey with the Brampton Capitals
of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2001–02, scoring 24 goals in the playoffs to help lead the Capitals to the Ontario provincial championship. He then moved up to major junior, playing two seasons with the Owen Sound Attack
of the Ontario Hockey League
(OHL). He was the top scoring defenceman on the team years, scoring 48 and 49 points in 2002–03 and 2003–04 respectively.
. He had enrolled in York University
's school of business in 2004 when he received a late invitation from the Calgary Flames
to attend their summer camp. The Flames signed him to a contract following the camp, and assigned him to their American Hockey League
(AHL) affiliate, the Lowell Lock Monsters, for the 2004–05 season
, appearing in 66 games.
He remained in the AHL for much of the 2005–06 season
, transferring to Calgary's new affiliate, the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights
. Giordano led the Knights in scoring, recording 16 goals and 58 points in 73 games. Additionally, he was second amongst defencemen in the AHL in goal scoring and fourth in points. He appeared in seven games with the Flames, and made his NHL debut on January 30, 2006, against the St. Louis Blues. He split the 2006–07 season between Omaha and Calgary, scoring 15 points in 48 games in a Flames uniform that year. Giordano scored his first two NHL goals on October 14, 2006, against the Toronto Maple Leafs
.
Unable to come to terms on a new contract with the Flames, Giordano left the NHL to sign with HC Dynamo Moscow
of the Russian Super League. He appeared in 50 games with Moscow, and played with the winning Canadian team
at the 2007 Spengler Cup
. He was named an alternate for the Canadian roster at the 2008 IIHF World Championship
, though he never appeared in a game. Though he feared his decision to leave for Russia would damage his relationship with the Flames, who retained his NHL rights, he was able to come to terms on a three-year contract that brought him back to Calgary for the 2008–09 NHL season
.
Giordano appeared in 58 games for the Flames, scoring 19 points before a shoulder injury ended his season. He required surgery to repair the damage suffered in a game against the Minnesota Wild
. He recovered in time to begin the 2009–10 season
, but several new additions to Calgary's blue line left him concerned about his position with the team. Instead, he solidified his place on the roster with a career year; he set personal highs in goals (11), points (30) and was +17 for the Flames. The Hockey News
named him one of the most underrated players in the league, and was invited to join Team Canada at the 2010 IIHF World Championship
. He appeared in seven games in the tournament, scoring three goals and an assist.
Though he had the option to become an unrestricted free agent
following the 2010–11 season
, Giordano opted to remain in Calgary, signing a five-year, $20 million contract extension with the Flames on October 29, 2010.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
defenceman
Defenceman (ice hockey)
Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
, an alternate captain for the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). He was a leading scorer amongst defencemen in two seasons with the Owen Sound Attack
Owen Sound Attack
The Owen Sound Attack are a junior ice hockey in the Ontario Hockey League since the year 2000. The Attack are based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
of the Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
(OHL) but went unselected in the NHL Entry Draft
NHL Entry Draft
The NHL Entry Draft is an annual meeting in which every franchise of the National Hockey League systematically select the rights to available amateur ice hockey players who meet draft eligibility requirements...
. The Flames signed him a contract in 2004, and after playing two seasons in the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL), he made his NHL debut in 2006. He spent the 2007–08 season with Dynamo Moscow
HC Dynamo Moscow
HC Dynamo Moscow was a Russian professional ice hockey club based in Moscow. They were members of the Bobrov Division in the Kontinental Hockey League...
of the Russian Super League before returning to the Flames the following season. Internationally, Giordano played with Team Canada at the 2010 IIHF World Championship
2010 IIHF World Championship
The 2010 IIHF World Championship was the 74th IIHF World Championship, an annual international ice hockey tournament. It took place between 7 and 23 May 2010 in Germany. The games were played in the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, SAP Arena in Mannheim, and one game at Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen...
.
Early life
Giordano was born in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
on October 3, 1983. His father, Paul, is a real estate agent and his mother, Anna, a hairdresser. He has an older sister, Michelle, and had another older sister, Mia, who was killed in a car accident when he was 14. He taps his helmet twice with his stick at the end of the national anthems before each game as a quiet tribute to his sister, whose death had a lasting impact on Giordano and his family, bringing them closer together.
Giordano played his early minor hockey with the OMHA's Richmond Hill Stars up to Bantam before moving to the GTHL North York Rangers for Major Midget hockey. Giordano was never drafted by an OHL team.
Giordano then played a season of Junior A hockey with the Brampton Capitals
Brampton Capitals
The Brampton Capitals are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Brampton, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Ontario Junior A Hockey League.-History:Since moving to Brampton in 1989, the Capitals have been one of the more dominant teams in the OPJHL...
of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in 2001–02, scoring 24 goals in the playoffs to help lead the Capitals to the Ontario provincial championship. He then moved up to major junior, playing two seasons with the Owen Sound Attack
Owen Sound Attack
The Owen Sound Attack are a junior ice hockey in the Ontario Hockey League since the year 2000. The Attack are based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
of the Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
(OHL). He was the top scoring defenceman on the team years, scoring 48 and 49 points in 2002–03 and 2003–04 respectively.
Playing career
In spite of his offensive success in junior, Giordano went unselected at the NHL Entry DraftNHL Entry Draft
The NHL Entry Draft is an annual meeting in which every franchise of the National Hockey League systematically select the rights to available amateur ice hockey players who meet draft eligibility requirements...
. He had enrolled in York University
York University
York University is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is Canada's third-largest university, Ontario's second-largest graduate school, and Canada's leading interdisciplinary university....
's school of business in 2004 when he received a late invitation from the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
to attend their summer camp. The Flames signed him to a contract following the camp, and assigned him to their American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) affiliate, the Lowell Lock Monsters, for the 2004–05 season
2004–05 AHL season
The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season...
, appearing in 66 games.
He remained in the AHL for much of the 2005–06 season
2005–06 AHL season
The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals....
, transferring to Calgary's new affiliate, the Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights
Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights
The Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Omaha, Nebraska, USA at the Omaha Civic Auditorium from 2005–07...
. Giordano led the Knights in scoring, recording 16 goals and 58 points in 73 games. Additionally, he was second amongst defencemen in the AHL in goal scoring and fourth in points. He appeared in seven games with the Flames, and made his NHL debut on January 30, 2006, against the St. Louis Blues. He split the 2006–07 season between Omaha and Calgary, scoring 15 points in 48 games in a Flames uniform that year. Giordano scored his first two NHL goals on October 14, 2006, against the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
Unable to come to terms on a new contract with the Flames, Giordano left the NHL to sign with HC Dynamo Moscow
HC Dynamo Moscow
HC Dynamo Moscow was a Russian professional ice hockey club based in Moscow. They were members of the Bobrov Division in the Kontinental Hockey League...
of the Russian Super League. He appeared in 50 games with Moscow, and played with the winning Canadian team
Canadian national men's hockey team
The Canadian national ice hockey team is the ice hockey team representing Canada. The team is overseen by Hockey Canada, a member of the International Ice Hockey Federation, and participates in international competitions. From 1920 until 1963, Canada's international representation was by senior...
at the 2007 Spengler Cup
2007 Spengler Cup
The 2007 Spengler Cup was held in Davos, Switzerland between December 26, 2007 and December 31, 2007. All matches were played at host HC Davos's home Vaillant Arena...
. He was named an alternate for the Canadian roster at the 2008 IIHF World Championship
2008 IIHF World Championship
The 2008 IIHF World Championship was played between May 2 and May 18, 2008 in the Canadian cities of Halifax and Quebec City . The two venues were the Halifax Metro Centre and the Colisée Pepsi...
, though he never appeared in a game. Though he feared his decision to leave for Russia would damage his relationship with the Flames, who retained his NHL rights, he was able to come to terms on a three-year contract that brought him back to Calgary for the 2008–09 NHL season
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
.
Giordano appeared in 58 games for the Flames, scoring 19 points before a shoulder injury ended his season. He required surgery to repair the damage suffered in a game against the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. He recovered in time to begin the 2009–10 season
2009–10 NHL season
The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010...
, but several new additions to Calgary's blue line left him concerned about his position with the team. Instead, he solidified his place on the roster with a career year; he set personal highs in goals (11), points (30) and was +17 for the Flames. The Hockey News
The Hockey News
The Hockey News, commonly abbreviated to THN, is a North American ice hockey magazine published by Transcontinental. The Hockey News was founded in 1947 by Ken McKenzie and Bill Côté, and has since been the most recognized hockey publication in North America...
named him one of the most underrated players in the league, and was invited to join Team Canada at the 2010 IIHF World Championship
2010 IIHF World Championship
The 2010 IIHF World Championship was the 74th IIHF World Championship, an annual international ice hockey tournament. It took place between 7 and 23 May 2010 in Germany. The games were played in the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, SAP Arena in Mannheim, and one game at Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen...
. He appeared in seven games in the tournament, scoring three goals and an assist.
Though he had the option to become an unrestricted free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
following the 2010–11 season
2010–11 NHL season
The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech...
, Giordano opted to remain in Calgary, signing a five-year, $20 million contract extension with the Flames on October 29, 2010.
Off the ice
Giordano and his wife Lauren are spokespeople for Habitat for Humanity. They launched a program called "5-for-5" in January 2011 that aims to build five homes for the organization, one in the Calgary area and four in Africa and Asia. Giordano donated $25,000 of the $130,000 cost himself, and his contribution was matched by the Flames charitable foundation.Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2000–01 | North York Rangers Midget | GTHL Greater Toronto Hockey League The Greater Toronto Hockey League , formerly known as the "Metro Toronto Hockey League", is a minor level ice hockey organization based out of the Toronto region of Ontario. The league was founded in 1911 as the Beaches Hockey League by Fred C. Waghorne, Sr., and it is the largest minor hockey... |
41 | 7 | 18 | 25 | 78 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2001–02 | Brampton Capitals Jr.A. | OHA | 48 | 11 | 26 | 37 | 59 | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 2002–03 | Owen Sound Attack Owen Sound Attack The Owen Sound Attack are a junior ice hockey in the Ontario Hockey League since the year 2000. The Attack are based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada.-History:... |
OHL Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... |
68 | 18 | 30 | 48 | 109 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 2003–04 | Owen Sound Attack | OHL | 65 | 14 | 35 | 49 | 72 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 AHL season The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Lowell Lock Monsters | AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
66 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 85 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 41 | ||
| 2005–06 2005–06 AHL season The 2005–06 AHL season was the 70th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears won the Calder Cup, defeating the Milwaukee Admirals in the finals.... |
Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights The Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights were a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Omaha, Nebraska, USA at the Omaha Civic Auditorium from 2005–07... |
AHL | 73 | 16 | 42 | 58 | 141 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | Calgary Flames Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
7 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2006–07 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 48 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 36 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07 2006–07 AHL season The 2006–07 AHL season was the 71st season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-seven teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hamilton Bulldogs won their first Calder Cup, defeating the defending champions, the Hershey Bears in the finals.... |
Omaha Ak-Sar-Ben Knights | AHL | 5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2007–08 | Dynamo Moscow HC Dynamo Moscow HC Dynamo Moscow was a Russian professional ice hockey club based in Moscow. They were members of the Bobrov Division in the Kontinental Hockey League... |
RSL | 50 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 89 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Calgary Flames | NHL | 58 | 2 | 17 | 19 | 59 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Calgary Flames | NHL | 81 | 11 | 19 | 30 | 81 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
Calgary Flames | NHL | 82 | 8 | 35 | 43 | 67 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 277 | 28 | 80 | 108 | 251 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Comp | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 2010 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 2010 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships was the 74th such event hosted by the International Ice Hockey Federation. Teams representing 48 countries participated in four levels of competition... |
Canada | WC Ice Hockey World Championships The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European... |
7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 10 | |
| International totals | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 10 | |||