Ray Whitney (ice hockey)

Ray Whitney
Whitney celebrating during the Carolina Hurricanes Stanley Cup parade in 2006
Born (1972-05-08) May 8, 1972
Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
Height 5 ft 0 in (152 cm)
Weight 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb)
Position Left wing
Shot Right
Played for San Jose Sharks
Edmonton Oilers
Florida Panthers
Columbus Blue Jackets
Detroit Red Wings
Carolina Hurricanes
Phoenix Coyotes
Dallas Stars
National team  Canada
NHL draft 23rd overall, 1991
San Jose Sharks
Playing career 1991–2014

Raymond D. Whitney (born May 8, 1972) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger. He played parts of 22 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the San Jose Sharks, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Carolina Hurricanes, Phoenix Coyotes, and Dallas Stars. Whitney was known for his fast puck movement and passing ability which earned him the the nickname "The Wizard".

Whitney is a one-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with Hurricanes in 2006. He is also a two-time All-Star, being named to the NHL ones in 2000 and 2003.

Career

Before playing in the NHL, Whitney played parts of three seasons with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He had a successful time with the Chiefs. He finished the 1990–91 season, scoring 67 goals and recording 118 assists for 185 points. He was named to the West first All-Star team and won the Bob Clarke Trophy for being the WHL's leading points scorer and the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy for WHL Player of the Year.

He helped the Chiefs during the playoffs. They defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds and Kamloops Blazers before defeating and sweeping the Lethbridge Hurricanes four games to zero to win the President's Cup. This earned them a spot in the Memorial Cup tournament. The Chiefs defeated the Drummondville Voltigeurs 5-1 in the final game to win the Memorial Cup. He had a dominating performance in the playoffs and earned the George Parsons Trophy for the most sportsmanlike at the Memorial Cup tournament.[1]

He was drafted 23rd overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 1991 NHL entry draft.[2] Before playing for the Sharks, Whitney played 10 games with the Kölner Haie of the Eishockey-Bundesliga (1.GBun). He scored 3 goals and recorded 6 assists for 9 points.[3] On April 15, 1992, Whitney made his NHL debut in a 4–3 loss against the Calgary Flames. During the game, he also recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a Brian Mullen goal.[4] On December 1, he scored his first career NHL goal against Ron Tugnutt in a 3–1 loss against the Edmonton Oilers.[5]

On October 1, 1997, Whitney signed a contract to join the Edmonton Oilers.[6] He only played 9 games with the Oilers, scoring 1 goal and recording 3 assists. He was then placed on waivers by the Oilers. On November 6, 1997, Whitney was picked up off waiver by the Florida Panthers.[6] On august 9, 2000, Whitney signed a three-year contract to stay with the Panthers.[7]

On March 13, 2001, the Panthers traded Whitney to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a Kevyn Adams and either a 2001 or 2002 conditional draft pick. (2001 fourth-round pick).[8] He played parts of three seasons with the Blue Jackets.

On July 29, 2003, Whitney signed a three-year contract to join the Detroit Red Wings.[9] He played a total of 67 games with the Red Wings, scoring 14 goals and recording 29 assists for 43 points.

On August 6, 2005, Whitney signed a two-year, $1.5 million contract to join the Carolina Hurricanes.[10] He helped the Hurricanes when they went on a run in the playoffs. They defeated the Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Buffalo Sabres. They went on to defeat the Edmonton Oilers four games to three in the Final to win the first Stanley Cup in Hurricanes franchise history.[11][12] On April 13, 2007, Whitney signed a three-year, $3.5 million contract to stay with the Hurricanes.[13] On October 21, 2009, he played in his 1,000 NHL game, picking up an assist on a Eric Staal goal in a 4–3 shootout loss against the New York Islanders.[14]

On July 1, 2010, Whitney signed a 2-year, $3 million contract to join the Phoenix Coyotes.[15] On March 31, 2012, he recorded his 1,000 NHL game, picking up an assist on a Radim Vrbata goal and then scoring later in a 4–0 win against the Anaheim Ducks.[16]

On July 1, 2012, Whitney signed a 2-year, $9 million contract to join the Dallas Stars.[17] Over his teo seasons with the Stars, Whitney scored 20 goals and recorded 41 assists for 61 points.

On January 21, 2015, Whitney announced that he was retiring from playing professional ice hockey.[18]

References

  1. ↑ "'Greatest Chief': Ray Whitney lends support to Spokane Chiefs organization, team ahead of WHL Championship elimination game". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  2. ↑ "Sharks draft Falloon with the second pick". UPI. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  3. ↑ "1991/92". Kölner Haie (in German). Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Calgary Flames - San Jose Sharks - Apr 15, 1992". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Edmonton Oilers - San Jose Sharks - Dec 1, 1992". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  6. 1 2 "Ray Whitney - Bio". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Florida Panthers Re-sign Ray Whitney". Florida Panthers. Archived from the original on April 18, 2001. Retrieved January 22, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  8. ↑ "Blue Jackets Make Four Deals Prior to Today's Deadline". Columbus Blue Jackets. Archived from the original on August 18, 2001. Retrieved January 22, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  9. ↑ "Red Wings sign Ray Whitney". The Sports Network. Archived from the original on October 1, 2003. Retrieved January 22, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. ↑ "Hurricanes Agree to Terms With Ray Whitney". Carolina Hurricanes. Archived from the original on June 30, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  11. ↑ "Seeds of Hurricanes' Stanley Cup success were sown in a summer of uncertainty". The News & Observer. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  12. ↑ "'The Wizard' enjoying magical run with 'Canes'". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Hurricanes re-sign Whitney". CBC Sports. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Calgary Flames - San Jose Sharks - Apr 15, 1992". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Coyotes Sign Ray Whitney to Two-Year Contract". Phoenix Coyotes. Archived from the original on March 27, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  16. ↑ "Ray Whitney scores 1000th point in Coyotes win". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Dallas Stars Sign Forward Ray Whitney to Two-Year Contract". Dallas Stars. Archived from the original on July 7, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  18. ↑ "Ray Whitney retires after 22 NHL seasons". ESPN. Retrieved January 22, 2026.

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