Brent Sopel and hockey
Website design By BotEap.comBrent Sopel was part of the 1995 NHL entry draft and was selected by the Vancouver Canucks 144th overall. Sopel spent his first 2 years of junior hockey with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League playing a limited number of games during both seasons. The last three years of Brent Sopel’s hockey career were spent with the Swift Current Broncos also in the WHL.
Website design By BotEap.comTo begin the 1997-1998 season, 2 years after being drafted, Sopel graduated from junior hockey and began his professional hockey career in the American Hockey League playing with the Canucks affiliate team the Syracuse Crunch.
Website design By BotEap.comFor the 2000-2001 season, Brent Sopel was called up to the Canucks and managed to play in 52 games for the team. It was his rookie season in the National Hockey League. The next three seasons, Sopel spent playing with the Canucks until he was traded to the New York Islanders. During the 2004-2005 NHL lockout, Brent decided to take the year off from professional hockey.
Website design By BotEap.comAfter the lockout, Brent Sopel bounced around the league playing for the Islanders, Kings, and Canucks until finally being offered a 3-year contract by the Chicago Blackhawks. Brent was invited to training camp for the Detroit Red Wings without a contract for the 2007-2008 season when Chicago offered him a 1-year deal for $1.5 million. Sopel chose Chicago’s contract over Detroit’s 1-year, $500,000 base salary contract.
Website design By BotEap.comIn early 2008, Sopel signed a 3-year, $7 million contract extension with the Blackhawks, which is good through the 2010-2011 season. After winning his first Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks, Brent Sopel was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers along with Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager and Akim Aliu, for the 24th (Kevin Hayes) and 54th overall (Justin Holl) picks in the Draft. 2010 NHL entry Marty Reasoner, Joey Crabb and Jeremy Morin.
Website design By BotEap.comLater in the 2010-2011 season, Brent was traded to the Montreal Canadiens along with Nigel Dawes for Ben Maxwell and a fourth round pick in the 2011 NHL entry draft.
Website design By BotEap.comSopel is a wise player and knows what to do to succeed professionally as a hockey player. Brent Sopel’s strengths include shot blocking. Typically, you’ll see Sopel on his knees deflecting a shot harmlessly into a corner. Due to Sopel’s shot blocking abilities, he is a great asset when it comes to penalty kills.
Website design By BotEap.comBrent is a solid defender who can clear the front of the net and make quick plays to his teammates. Although he isn’t the fastest skater, Sopel is best when he plays well positionally and uses his stick to push pucks away.
Website design By BotEap.comWith a Stanley Cup under his belt, Brent is a gem to have in any locker room. His leadership qualities and calm under pressure are more than valuable.
Website design By BotEap.comIn June 2010, Brent Sopel brought the Stanley Cup to the Pride Parade honoring general manager Brian Burke’s son, Brendan Burke. Sopel participated in the parade honoring Brendan Burke and Brian Burke’s show of tolerance and family support. Brent Sopel was the representative of his team and his own day with the cup came later.
Website design By BotEap.comBrent Sopel’s wife and Brent himself have their own twitter accounts where they both give updates to the public about their life and life projects.