Kyle McLaren

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Kyle McLaren was born June 18, 1977 in Humboldt, Saskatchewan. He was drafted by the Boston Bruins NHL ice hockey team ninth overall in the first round of the 1995 draft. He played his first NHL season when he was eighteen in the 1996 season, and he was the youngest player on an NHL roster that year. He currently plays for the San Jose Sharks. He is 6'4" and 230 pounds.

A hard-hitting first-pairing defenseman, he "is a feared and imposing figure along the blueline" who "uses his size to deliver bone-jarring hits," "excels in the shot-blocking department," and "possesses a hard shot from the point" ([TSN]).

McLaren was traded to San Jose along with a fourth round draft pick for young defenseman Jeff Jillson and goaltender Jeff Hackett in the 2003 season season after getting into a dispute with the Bruins' management. Reportedly, they offered McLaren a two-way contract, meaning that McLaren would make less money than if he were playing in the American Hockey League. An established NHL-er at that point, McLaren was insulted and demanded a trade.

Currently making US$1.9 million, McLaren signed a three-year-contract-extension worth US$7.5 million early in the 2006 season, citing how happy he was in San Jose and how much his family loved it there.

Controversy

In the 2002 playoffs, McLaren injured Richard Zednik of the Montreal Canadiens with a vicious elbow/arm to the face after being caught out of position in the defensive zone. This prompted many to condemn the violence of the hit, and Montreal fans became enraged at McLaren for what they perceived to be a use of uncessary excessive force towards Zednik. The event created an enduring dislike for the Sharks defenceman that endures to this day. McLaren received a three-game suspension from the league, however many felt that the punishment was not nearly enough, especially when the viciousness of the hit and the intent was taken into consideration.

Awards

1992-1993:Top Defenseman in the Western Canadian Bantam Tournament
1995-1996: NHL - All-Rookie Team

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