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80-853: The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League was founded in 1966 as the West Kootenay Junior Hockey League . Five teams joined the league in its first year and started play in the 1969–70 season. They included the Trail Jr. Smoke Eaters , the Nelson Plaza Oilers , the Castlegar Apollos , the Grand Forks Border Bruins , and the Rossland Warriors . The Smoke Eaters won the inaugural league championship, advancing to

160-632: A consulting firm to evaluate all Junior A Tier 2 teams for promotion to "Junior A Tier 1" to form a new league to fill the "Junior A" vacuum left by the BCHL . The Spokane Braves also returned to the KIJHL for the 2023–24 hockey season for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that shortened the KIJHL 2019–20 season, ending their nearly four season hiatus from the KIJHL due to travel restrictions from international travel. The 2023–24 hockey season also raised

240-530: A game against the Detroit Red Wings on February 9, 2011. At the conclusion of the 2010–11 season , Weber was named one of three finalists—along with Zdeno Chára and Nicklas Lidström—for the Norris Trophy, the first finalist nomination of his career. He finished second in Norris Trophy voting, losing with 727 voting points to Lidström's 736. For the first time in his career, Weber

320-497: A new Predators franchise record for goals by a defenceman in a single season. Although he received no first-place votes, Weber finished fourth in the Norris Trophy voting with 186 voting points, behind winner Zdeno Chára (1,034 points) and runners-up Mike Green (982 points) and Nicklas Lidström (733 points). Weber narrowly missed being named to the NHL second All-Star team after receiving four-first place votes and 172 voting points,

400-468: A number of International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF)-sanctioned events, winning a World Junior Ice Hockey Championship gold medal in 2005 , an Ice Hockey World Championships gold medal in 2007 , and two Olympic gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics . Weber was born on August 14, 1985, in Sicamous , British Columbia . His mother, Tracy, was a hairdresser, and his father, James Weber,

480-478: A rating of +10. Weber debuted with the national senior team on April 22, 2007, accepting an invitation to join the club for the 2007 IIHF World Championship in Russia. However, his experience in this tournament was interrupted by an incident for which he was suspended three games. One minute into Canada's preliminary round game against Germany , Weber hit Yannic Seidenberg in the chin with his elbow, giving

560-559: A sawmill worker. Weber first played organized ice hockey at age six. Growing up, he played in the Sicamous and District Minor Hockey Association, a division of the British Columbia Amateur Hockey Association (BCAHA), often switching between forward and defenceman positions. In Weber's second year of bantam , he permanently switched to defence. He credits his father for convincing him to make

640-566: A season with 14 and finishing with his third 20+ goal season. Weber was also named a finalist for the Mark Messier Leadership Award , which he won. On June 29, 2016, Weber was traded to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for P. K. Subban . The trade surprised many ice hockey fans because the details of this trade were kept strictly confidential until the deal was already made. Weber's first season with

720-647: A single voting point behind Dan Boyle , the final defenceman selected. Entering his fifth season with the Predators, Weber continued his stellar record. At the February Olympic break , Weber accumulated 35 points in 59 games for the Predators. He also established a strong leadership role and willingness to defend his teammates, highlighted by three consecutive games in March 2010 in which he fought opposing players. Weber's offensive production slowed after

800-574: The 2003 NHL entry draft , he spent eleven seasons in Nashville (including six seasons as captain ) until being traded to the Montreal Canadiens in June 2016. Weber is predominantly known for his powerful slapshot , winning the hardest shot event four times at the annual NHL All-Star Skills Competition . Weber was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2024. Weber has represented Canada at

880-481: The 2013–14 season , Weber led all NHL defencemen with 23 goals, which also matched his career-high. He broke Kimmo Timonen 's Predator record for single-season points by a defenceman with 56 points, which also led the Predators for the season. On April 28, Weber was named a finalist for the Norris Trophy for the third time in his career; the other finalists were Boston Bruins captain Zdeno Chára and Duncan Keith of

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960-616: The 2021–22 season , with the possibility of early retirement despite five years remaining on his contract. Although Weber has not formally retired, his former Canadiens teammate Jonathan Drouin has said that he "retired, basically" and that "he's moving on". On June 16, 2022, Weber's contract was traded by the Canadiens to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for Evgenii Dadonov . The Golden Knights acquired Weber's contract for purposes of salary cap relief, and there

1040-404: The COVID-19 pandemic . Jeff Dubois was later named the new commissioner. In June 2023, following the BCHL's decision to leave Hockey Canada sanctioning, the KIJHL applied for Junior A status from BC Hockey , on July 25, 2023, BC Hockey announced that three BC Junior B leagues, the KIJHL, PJHL , and VIJHL , were being promoted to "Junior A Tier 2". BC Hockey further announced that it hired

1120-733: The Calder Cup , losing to the Hershey Bears in six games in the Calder Cup Finals . It was during his sophomore season Weber evolved into one of Nashville's most important players. By the midpoint of the season, Weber already had 26 points, and his play was recognized on January 14, 2007, when he was named to the Western Conference roster for the 2007 NHL YoungStars Game in Dallas, Texas . Weber finished

1200-684: The Centennial Cup . Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against Shea Weber Shea Michael Weber (born August 14, 1985) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman under contract with the Utah Hockey Club of the National Hockey League (NHL). Originally selected in the second round, 49th overall, by the Nashville Predators in

1280-664: The Chase Heat and Summerland Steam were formed. The 2012–13 season saw no team changes, while the Castlegar Rebels won the league title. The following year, 2013–14, the Penticton Lakers were forced into relocation to 100 Mile House due to low ticket sales, which stemmed from playing in the neighbouring arena to that of the Jr. A Penticton Vees , whose national success offered difficult competition. The new team

1360-601: The Colorado Avalanche , Weber fell awkwardly and dislocated his kneecap . The injury caused him to miss the next six weeks of play before returning to the Nashville line-up during a game with the St. Louis Blues on November 17, 2007. Weber was sidelined again shortly after, injuring his leg and missing another 11 games before he returned during a January 15, 2008, game against the Calgary Flames . Weber finished

1440-573: The Hull Olympiques 2–1 in the semi-final. At the completion of his rookie WHL season, Weber was eligible to be drafted into the National Hockey League (NHL) at the 2003 NHL entry draft . Heading into the draft, he was ranked 42nd among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau and 54th overall by International Scouting Services. On June 21, 2003, he was drafted in the second round, 49th overall, by

1520-727: The Kimberley Knights joined the league, while the Grand Forks Border Bruins took a leave of absence. In 1973–74 the league expanded again, incorporating a Fernie -based team. The league did not expand for two years after this point, during a period dominated by the Colts. The next expansion occurred in 1976–77, when the Creston Clippers and the Castlegar Rebels joined the league, and the Rebels won

1600-708: The Nanaimo Clippers four games to two, and then swept the first place Penticton Knights in the league championships. They then won the 1984 Mowat Cup over the Peace Caribou Junior Hockey League champions, Prince George Spruce Kings , and then won the 1984 BC/Alta Championship over Fort Saskatchewan Traders . They lost Abbott Cup to the Weyburn Red Wings in a four-game sweep before the Red Wings went on to win

1680-562: The Nashville Predators . In his second season with the Rockets, Weber was named to the WHL roster for the 2004 ADT Canada-Russia Challenge in Red Deer and Lethbridge , Alberta . In the two games played, he recorded one assist . At the completion of the regular season, Weber had improved his offensive statistics from the previous season, recording 32 points in 60 games. Weber was named

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1760-700: The Sicamous Eagles would join. The Eagles, too, won the league in their debut season. In 1996–97, the Castlegar Rebels relocated to Osoyoos, who played one season under the Rebels name, before being renamed the Heat. Castlegar was granted an expansion franchise in 1998–99, who was named the Rebels. In 1999–2000, the Nelson Leafs rejoined the KIJHL, winning the title in their first season back, and

1840-537: The gold medal game , Weber was named to the tournament all-star team and was awarded the tournament's Best Defenceman award. On July 2, 2009, Weber was invited to the Canadian orientation camp for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver . On December 30, 2009, he was named to the final Canadian roster for the tournament. In Canada's qualification round game against Germany, Weber scored Canada's second goal of

1920-519: The ice hockey usage of "junior" referred to a general, age-limited, non-professional hockey concept that was distinct from senior and intermediate divisions. Later, the junior divisions in Canada were divided into two levels, Junior A and Junior B. In 1970, Junior A was split again into Major Junior and Junior A. The junior Smoke Eaters have competed in various levels of junior hockey, including Junior A and Junior B divisions. They have also competed for

2000-495: The national junior team , when, on December 22, 2004, he was named to the roster for the 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Grand Forks , North Dakota . There, his play with Dion Phaneuf formed the team's top defensive pair, helping Canada win its first junior gold medal since the 1997 tournament . Despite being held pointless throughout the tournament, Weber finished tied for third among plus-minus leaders with

2080-553: The 1920s. The senior Smoke Eaters won two Allan Cup championships, 1938 and 1962, and two Ice Hockey World Championships playing for Canada in 1939 and 1961. The senior Smokies were the last independent ice hockey club to represent Canada in international competition before the Canada men's national ice hockey team was established in 1963. The junior Smoke Eaters have competed in British Columbia since 1926. Originally,

2160-722: The 1991–92 through 1994–95 seasons. In 1995, the Smoke Eaters bought the Bellingham Ice Hawks franchise in the Junior A British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), joining that league as the Trail Smoke Eaters for the 1995–96 season. Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against To secure entry into the BCHL, the Trail Smoke Eaters bought

2240-711: The 2024–25 season as part of the Bill Ohlhausen Division. According to the announcement, the team would keep the same name and continue to play out of the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena under a 5-year lease. In April 2024 the North Okanagan Knights franchise was announced to have been sold to a Quesnel - based ownership group where they would be rebranded as the Quesnel River Rush, with these changes

2320-721: The 2024–25 season. On March 22, 2024, it was announced that the Summerland Steam franchise has been sold and relocated to Williams Lake for the 2024-25 season, where they will now be known as the Williams Lake Mustangs and play out of the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Centre . On 31 March 2024, it was announced that the Merritt Centennials of the BCHL would join the KIJHL under new ownership beginning in

2400-403: The Canadiens lineup until mid-December. On October 1, 2018, Weber was named the 30th captain of the Canadiens, replacing Max Pacioretty after he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights on September 10. However, Weber did not join the Canadiens lineup until November 27 due to an injury during the offseason that required surgery. In his second game back, he scored two goals in a 5–2 win against

2480-487: The Canadiens was rather successful offensively, recording 17 goals and 42 points in 78 games. In six post-season games, Weber recorded three points during the team's first-round elimination to the New York Rangers . Weber only managed to skate in 26 games for Montreal the following season after suffering a tendon tear in his left foot. During the 2018 off-season, it was announced he was expected to be out of

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2560-621: The Chicago Blackhawks, the latter of which won the award. Weber finished third in voting. Weber was again voted to the NHL second All-Star team for the 2014–2015 season, his fourth post-season All-Star team selection. During the 2015–16 season, Weber recorded his first career hat-trick on December 5 against the Detroit Red Wings, which was also the first-ever by a Predators defenceman. Weber would continue his goal-scoring ways, tying Paul Kariya 's franchise record for power-play goals in

2640-522: The Ducks in the opening round, Weber and the Predators would go on to lose in the second round to the Presidents' Trophy -winning Vancouver Canucks in six games. Although Weber became a restricted free agent on July 1, he said he wanted to remain with the Predators. To prevent the possibility of other teams signing him to an offer sheet , the Predators filed for salary arbitration with Weber, giving

2720-634: The Eagles' first goal of the game in a 2–1 victory over the Spruce Grove Regals. In addition to his championship run with the Eagles, Weber played in five games for the Kelowna Rockets during their 2001–02 WHL season . The following season Weber began his rookie season with the Rockets. Early into the campaign, Weber established a physical presence, often fighting opposing players . Overall, he had 167 penalty minutes that season,

2800-456: The German a concussion and sidelining him for the remainder of the tournament. After serving his suspension, Weber continued with the tournament, finishing with two points in six games, including a goal in Canada's 5–1 quarter-final victory over Switzerland . Canada went on to win the gold medal in the tournament, defeating Finland 4–2 in the final. On April 14, 2009, Weber was named to

2880-694: The Nashville Predators. A year-and-a-half later, Weber made his NHL debut on January 6, 2006, against the Detroit Red Wings , recording three shots on goal in 11:08 minutes of icetime. Three months later, on April 6, 2006, he scored his first NHL goal, against Reinhard Divis of the St. Louis Blues in a 3–0 Nashville victory. Weber went on to play in 28 games during his rookie season, finishing with two goals and ten assists . He also scored two goals in four Stanley Cup playoff games with

2960-808: The Neil Murdoch Conference. The Golden Xtreme was again renamed, this time reverting to the Rockets name. Furthermore, the Chase Chiefs joined the league in 2007–08, while the Fernie Ghostriders would capture the league title. There were no team changes in 2008–09, and the Nelson Leafs would capture the league title. In 2009–10, however, the Summerland Sting were forced to relocate to nearby Penticton , taking

3040-691: The Neil Murdoch, Eddie Mountain, and Okanagan/Shushwap. Along with the division re-alignment, the North Okanagan Kings relocated to Enderby , becoming the Enderby Ice Kings . The Osoyoos Heat took on the name the Osoyoos Storm , and an expansion franchise was granted to Summerland , which took the name Summerland Sting . 2001–02 also saw the presence of the KIJHL's most accomplished alumnus, Shea Weber , who played for

3120-416: The New York Rangers. On February 2, 2021, Weber played his 1,000th game in a 5–3 win against the Vancouver Canucks. The rest of Weber's pandemic -shortened 2020–21 season was plagued by lingering injuries as he finished the season with six goals and 13 assists for 19 points in 48 games. Montreal barely reached the 2021 playoffs , where Weber continue to play injured. Even in those circumstances, he led

3200-456: The Olympic break and he finished the season with 43 points in 78 games played. Despite a decrease in offence from the previous season, Weber was a Norris Trophy candidate for the third consecutive year, receiving one first-place vote and 96 voting points to finish as the sixth runner-up behind winner Duncan Keith (1,096 points). Weber also received a single fifth-place vote, tying for 23rd with six other players in Hart Memorial Trophy voting, and

3280-473: The Olympic team, were inducted into the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2011. After his Nashville Predators failed to make the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs , Weber was considered a lock for the 2013 World Championship team, but Hockey Canada deemed the cost of insuring his large NHL contract too high and ultimately did not select him. Weber was named an alternate captain for Canada in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi , where Canada repeated as gold medallists. He

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3360-399: The Predators before the team was eliminated in the first round by the San Jose Sharks . With Nashville's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals , still in playoff action, Weber was reassigned to the Admirals' roster for the remainder of the AHL playoffs. He recorded 6 goals and 5 assists in 14 games during his time with the Admirals, who finished in second place in

3440-582: The Rockets proved to be his best with the team, despite a late season injury. On March 5, 2005, he injured his left knee after colliding with Vancouver Giants left winger Cam Cunning . The injury resulted in Weber missing the remainder of the regular season and the Rockets' Western Conference quarter-finals series against the Vancouver Giants. Despite the injury, Weber finished the regular season with WHL career bests for goals (12), assists (29) and points (41) in 55 games played. After returning from injury, Weber scored 9 goals and 17 points in 18 playoff games as

3520-406: The Rockets won the Ed Chynoweth Cup en route to their third consecutive Memorial Cup. For his efforts, he was awarded the airBC Trophy as the most valuable player of the WHL playoffs. At the 2005 Memorial Cup , with what was considered as one of the best tournament fields in Memorial Cup history, the Rockets were eliminated after losing all three of their round robin games. At the completion of

3600-417: The Rossland Warriors relocated for a single season to Summerland. The 1999–2000 Summerland Warriors had the distinction of never having won a game, finishing their only season with a record of 0-45-0, conceding 485 goals in 45 games. The 2000–01 season saw the folding of the Summerland Warriors and the creation of the Creston Valley Thunder Cats . In 2001–02, the league was split from two to three divisions,

3680-443: The WHL player of the week for April 6–12, 2004, after recording one goal and six assists in four Kelowna wins over the Tri-City Americans as the Rockets eliminated the Americans four games to two in the Western Conference semi-finals . He finished the WHL playoffs with 17 points in 17 games as the Rockets were eliminated four games to three by the Everett Silvertips in the Western Conference finals . Despite being eliminated from

3760-468: The WHL playoffs, the Rockets advanced to their second consecutive Memorial Cup as the host team. At the 2004 Memorial Cup , Weber was named to the tournament all-star team after recording four points in four games played as the Rockets defeated the Gatineau Olympiques 2–1 in the championship game to win their first Memorial Cup. At the completion of the season, Weber was named to the WHL Western Conference's second all-star team. Weber's final season with

3840-457: The Western Canadian Junior/Junior A Championship, the Abbott Cup . The Smoke Eaters won the Abbott Cup in 1944 and represented Western Canada in the national junior championship Memorial Cup competition, losing all four games to the Oshawa Generals . By the 1970s, the Smoke Eaters played as a Junior B team in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). They joined the Junior A Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (RMJHL) from

3920-421: The departure of its only Junior A league . The three Junior B leagues ( PJHL , KIJHL and VIJHL ) were summarily designated as "Junior A Tier 2", with plans to conduct an independent evaluation of those teams seeking to be promoted to "Junior A Tier 1". It was expected that those teams promoted to Tier 1 would eventually apply for membership in the CJHL . The league expected the evaluations to be completed during

4000-428: The end of the season, he moved up to junior "B" ice hockey with his hometown Sicamous Eagles of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). Weber's 42 points in 47 games played helped his team to a near-perfect season of 43–5–1–1, winning both the British Columbian Cyclone Taylor Cup KIJHL league championship and the Western Canadian Keystone Cup . In the Keystone Cup championship game, Weber scored

4080-424: The first month of the 2011–12 season , Weber hit forward Jannik Hansen from behind in a game against the Vancouver Canucks on October 20, 2011. While Hansen was uninjured on the play, Weber was fined $ 2,500 – the maximum allowable financial penalty – by the NHL the following day. In Nashville's first game of the 2012 Stanley Cup Quarterfinals , against Detroit, Weber slammed centre Henrik Zetterberg 's head into

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4160-405: The following year, this time becoming the Golden Jets . Also, 2006–07 saw the demise of the Osoyoos Storm, who moved to Kamloops Storm , while retaining the Storm name. In 2007–08, the league was divided into two conferences, which were furthermore split into two divisions each, dropping the Okanagan Shushwap, while creating the Eddie Mountain Conference, East and West Divisions, and likewise with

4240-413: The franchise rights of the Bellingham Ice Hawks of Bellingham, Washington . The Ice Hawks franchise had previously existed in the British Columbia communities of Chilliwack (twice), Langley and Ladner . The Eagles played for six seasons in Langley. Their best season was 1983–84 with a record of 40–8–2, placing third in the league. In the playoffs they defeated the Abbotsford Flyers four games to one,

4320-459: The game in an 8–2 victory. His shot passed through the mesh net behind German goaltender Thomas Greiss and a video review was required to award the goal. Weber finished the tournament with six points in seven games, ranking second amongst defencemen in terms of scoring, and was named to the tournament's all-star team, which defeated the United States 3–2 in overtime to win the gold medal. Weber, along with his British Columbian teammates from

4400-443: The glass boards during the closing seconds of the game after being hit by Zetterberg. The force of the blow cracked Zetterberg's helmet but he suffered no injury and played in the next game. As punishment, the NHL imposed a $ 2,500 fine (the maximum allowable under the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement [CBA] at the time) on Weber for retaliatory action. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman was in attendance at this game. Weber finished

4480-408: The league champions Sicamous Eagles for this single season. In 2002–03, the Princeton Posse joined the league, becoming the furthest west team in the KIJHL, and the Enderby Ice Kings folded after one season. In 2004–05, the Fernie Ghostriders joined the league from the North American Hockey League , and the following year the Golden Rockets were renamed the Golden Xtreme . They were renamed again

4560-426: The league championship in their debut season. Columbia Valley joined in 1978–79 season, thus bringing the league to a total of 11 teams, an all-time high. In the 1981–82 season, Fernie would withdraw from the league, while the Elk Valley Raiders ( Sparwood ) would join in their place. The following year, the Beaver Valley Nitehawks would join, bringing the league to a total of 12 teams. Creston would withdraw from

4640-431: The league in 1985, and Nelson, Elk Valley and Grand Forks would do the same in 1986. Elk Valley and Grand Forks would return the next year and Nelson in 1989. The 1980s were largely dominated by the Cranbrook Colts with a 6 championship winning streak. In 1990, the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League was formed, creating a level of competition between the two geographic rival leagues. Cranbrook and Kimberley would depart

4720-403: The league in 1991, while the Golden Rockets would enter. The Rossland Warriors would return to the league the following season after a lengthy absence. In 1993–94, the KIJHL gained two new teams in the form of the North Okanagan Kings and the Revelstoke Grizzlies . North Okanagan won the league title in their first year. The following year, Elk Valley and Nelson would depart the league, while

4800-432: The league moved the Revelstoke Grizzlies and the Sicamous Eagles moving from the Doug Birks Division to the Bill Ohlhausen expanding it from four to six teams. Trail Smoke Eaters The Trail Smoke Eaters are a junior A ice hockey team from Trail, British Columbia , Canada. They are a part of the British Columbia Hockey League . The Smoke Eaters (aka Smokies ) have existed as both junior and senior teams since

4880-447: The limit of 20-year-old players from five to six players per team. The last Junior "B" player transaction from the KIJHL occurred on July 24, 2023, with a defenceman traded from the Grand Forks Border Bruins of the KIJHL to the Regina Capitals of the Prairie Junior Hockey League (PJHL) in Saskatchewan for future considerations. In 2023, governing body BC Hockey announced plans to restructure its junior hockey framework following

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4960-434: The most in his entire playing career. Offensively, Weber finished his rookie season with eighteen points in seventy games played. He also scored 5 points in 19 playoff games as the Rockets won the franchise's first Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions, defeating the Red Deer Rebels in the finals. As WHL champions, the Rockets represented the WHL at the 2003 Memorial Cup in Quebec City , Quebec , where they were defeated by

5040-424: The name Penticton Lakers . Furthermore, an expansion team was granted to Armstrong , and the North Okanagan Knights were founded. In the 2010–11 season , the Osoyoos Coyotes were formed, and won the league title in their debut season, while the Chase Chiefs relocated to Rutland, Kelowna to become the Kelowna Chiefs . The following year, two expansion franchises were granted to Chase and Summerland , and

5120-404: The national Junior Championship Memorial Cup prior to its usage as the Major Junior championship. In 1931–32, the junior Smoke Eaters won their first of 22 Mowat Cups over a run of 29 seasons. Throughout this run, the Mowat Cup was awarded as the highest level junior hockey championship for the province. During their 22 Mowat Cup winning years, the Smoke Eaters represented British Columbia in

5200-511: The national senior team for the 2009 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland, as one of four alternate captains. In Canada's final preliminary round game, Weber was named Canada's VIP after scoring one goal and three assists as Canada defeated Slovakia 7–3. Weber finished the tournament with four goals and eight assists for 12 points in nine games played, leading all defencemen in tournament scoring and finishing tied for third overall among all skaters. Despite being defeated by Russia 2–1 in

5280-437: The previous year's champion, the Dynamiters. The 2016–17 season marks the KIJHL's 50th anniversary, with the Creston Valley Thunder Cats hosting the Cyclone Taylor Cup . Prior to the 2019–20 KIJHL season, the Okanagan Division was renamed the Bill Ohlhausen Division along with the KIJHL Championship renamed the Teck Cup for sponsorship reasons. The Teck Cup was not awarded in 2020 due to the league suspended operations amidst

5360-458: The provincial championship. The next year, Castlegar would withdraw from the league, leaving only four teams. In 1971–1972, the Spokane Valley Kings and Cranbrook Colts joined the league, raising the number of teams to six, and incorporating an American team for the first time. Furthermore, the Nelson Plaza Oilers were renamed the Nelson Leafs . For 1972–73, the league was rebranded the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League . In this season,

5440-421: The regular season leading all defencemen in shorthanded goals scored, with two. In the 2012 off-season, with the Predators unable to take Weber to arbitration again (a player can only be subjected to team-elected arbitration once in his career), Weber signed a front-loaded $ 110 million, 14-year offer sheet ($ 68 million of it as a signing bonus) from the Philadelphia Flyers on July 19. The offer sheet

5520-407: The season with 20 points in 54 games. He received a single fifth-place vote to tie for 17th with seven other players in James Norris Memorial Trophy voting as the NHL's best defenceman. On June 23, 2008, Weber signed a three-year, $ 13.5 million contract extension with the Predators, avoiding restricted free agency. During his first year of the new contract, Weber established himself as one of

5600-402: The season with 40 points, ranking eighth on the Predators' roster in total points. He added an additional three assists in five playoff games before the Predators were eliminated by San Jose for the second consecutive season. Weber's third season with the Predators began with a series of injuries. After playing only 2:19 minutes of the first period in Nashville's season-opening game against

5680-412: The season, Weber was named to the WHL Western Conference first all-star team and was the Western Conference nominee for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as the top defenceman in the WHL, although Dion Phaneuf ultimately won the award. Weber was also named to the Canadian Major Junior second all-star team. On September 10, 2004, Weber signed a three-year, $ 1.425 million entry-level contract with

5760-478: The switch because he thought Weber would "have a better shot at a pro career as a defenceman". Between the ages of fourteen and fifteen, Weber grew 5 inches, from 5-foot-9 (1.75 metres) to 6-foot-2 (1.88 metres). Weber went unselected in his Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam Draft year, but was placed by the Kelowna Rockets on their protected-players list during his second season of bantam. At

5840-428: The team and Weber until their hearing to negotiate a new contract. Failing to come to terms on a new contract by their hearing, Weber's case went to arbitration on August 2, the first time in NHL history a team-elected arbitration candidate had reached a hearing. The following day, he was awarded a one-year, $ 7.5 million contract from which the Predators could not walk away, as the team had opted for arbitration. In

5920-537: The team's top defensive line and on-ice time, guiding them to a surprisingly deep playoff run that took them all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals . Montreal ended up losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games. In the 2021 off-season, Montreal's front office announced that the physical toll of Weber's injuries was too significant for him to overcome and that he would not be playing in

6000-599: The top defenceman in the NHL. At the mid-way point of the season, he was among the defencemen statistical leaders, was considered a favourite to win the Norris Trophy and was named to the Western Conference roster for the 2009 National Hockey League All-Star Game in Montreal . Weber finished the season with career-highs in all major statistical categories, including games played (81), goals (23), assists (30), points (53) and penalty minutes (80). His 23 goals set

6080-676: Was branded the 100 Mile House Wranglers . The following year again saw no team changes, and the Kimberley Dynamiters won the league title. In 2015–16, the Grand Forks Border Bruins made the playoffs for the first time in 19 years, a provincial Jr. B record and the 100 Mile House Wranglers won the Keystone Cup ; the Cyclone Taylor Cup and the KIJHL Championship in their third only season against

6160-894: Was not an expectation that he would play for the team. On February 22, 2023, the Golden Knights traded Weber's contract and a fifth-round pick in 2023 to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for Dysin Mayo . Weber's contract rights, along with the other assets of the Coyotes, were acquired by the Utah Hockey Club on April 18, 2024, when the NHL Board of Governors approved an expansion franchise for Salt Lake City beginning in 2024–25 . Throughout his career, Weber has represented Canada at several international ice hockey tournaments. His first experience with Hockey Canada came for

6240-470: Was the richest in NHL history in terms of total money, money per season, and length; surpassing the previous offer sheet record set by Thomas Vanek . Already having lost Weber's defensive partner Ryan Suter to unrestricted free agency, the Predators matched the offer sheet five days later. Following the 2012–13 NHL lockout , the CBA was changed to prevent teams from signing other players to similar deals. For

6320-555: Was the seventh-ranked defenceman in NHL All-Star team voting with 83 voting points. On July 8, 2010, Weber was named the fifth captain in Nashville Predators history, replacing Jason Arnott , who was traded to the New Jersey Devils . He became the youngest captain in franchise history and the only Predators captain to have been drafted by the team. Weber recorded his 200th career NHL point—an assist—in

6400-522: Was voted to the NHL first All-Star team after receiving 445 voting points, second among defencemen to Lidström's 464. Entering the first round of the 2011 playoffs as the fifth seed in the Western Conference, Weber and the Predatros would defeat the fourth seeded Anaheim Ducks in six games, marking the first time in Weber's career and in Predators history where a playoff series was won. After upsetting

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