John Madden (ice hockey)

John Madden
Madden pictured during his tenure with Minnesota Wild.
Born	(1973-05-04) May 4, 1973 (age 43) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position	Centre
Shot	Left
Played for	New Jersey Devils Chicago Blackhawks Minnesota Wild Florida Panthers
NHL Draft	Undrafted
Playing career	1997–2012

John J. Madden (born May 4, 1973) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre and current head coach of the Cleveland Monsters in the American Hockey League. An undrafted player from the University of Michigan (where he holds the NCAA record for most short-handed goals - 10 - in a single season), he won three Stanley Cups during his National Hockey League (NHL) career; two with the New Jersey Devils and one with the Chicago Blackhawks. Madden was noted during his career for his ability to kill penalties, play both ends of the ice and score shorthanded goals.

Madden was regarded during his career as one of the league's best defensive forwards; he was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy in 2001, and finished second in voting 2003, 2004 and 2008. His penalty-killing skills often generated breakaway chances while his team was shorthanded. Madden led the NHL and set a New Jersey Devils' team record — and tied the NHL rookie record at the time, held by Gerry Minor (Vancouver Canucks, 1980-81) — by scoring six shorthanded goals during the 1999–2000 season. After playing 14 seasons, he retired on September 4, 2012.

John Madden's journey to the NHL was an uncommon one. As a child, he grew up in a public housing project, Parma Court, in Toronto. Madden is a graduate of the Victoria Village House League and has also played for a number of minor league teams, including the Don Mills Flyers, Scarborough Bruins, Hillcrest Summits, and the Junior "C" Alliston Hornets, before moving up to the Junior "B" Barrie Colts. During his second full season (1992–93) with the Colts, Madden set team records for assists (75) and points (124).