Shawn Horcoff | |||
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Born |
Trail, BC, CAN |
September 17, 1978 ||
Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
Weight | 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb) | ||
Position | Centre | ||
Shot | Left | ||
Played for |
Edmonton Oilers Dallas Stars Anaheim Ducks |
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National team | Canada | ||
NHL Draft | 99th overall, 1998 Edmonton Oilers |
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Playing career | 2000–2016 |
Shawn Paul Horcoff (born September 17, 1978) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He was selected in the fourth round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, 99th overall, by the Edmonton Oilers, with whom he played 11 seasons and served as team captain during three seasons. He currently serves as Director of Player Development for the Detroit Red Wings.
Horcoff played his first college season with Michigan State University, in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), in 1996. After a respectable first season in which he was considered a contender for the CCHA All-Rookie Team, Horcoff improved his numbers as a sophomore in 1997–98, despite playing in fewer games than the year before. This led to him being drafted by the Edmonton Oilers in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. The following season, 1998–99, Horcoff again improved his totals with the Spartans, and was named to the CCHA All-Academic Team at season's end.
The 1999–00 season was Horcoff's final year with Michigan State, and he posted career high totals in goals, assists and points. Along with a second CCHA All-Academic Team spot, Horcoff received a number of major awards, including CCHA Player of the Year. He was also a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top player in college hockey.
While at Michigan State, Horcoff studied finance and mathematics, receiving his degree before beginning his professional hockey career.
After leaving university, Horcoff failed to make the 2000–01 Edmonton Oilers out of training camp, and was assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs. Horcoff excelled in Hamilton, leading the team in scoring as well as sitting sixth overall in AHL scoring. He was also tied for the lead in AHL rookie scoring (with Toby Petersen), and was named AHL Rookie of the Month for November 2000. On December 4, 2000, the Oilers recalled Horcoff, and on December 13, Horcoff scored his first NHL goal against the Dallas Stars. This call-up prevented Horcoff from appearing in the 2000–01 AHL All-Star Game, where he had been named as a starter for the Canadian All-Star Team. Horcoff played the remainder of the season in the NHL, and played his first five playoff games in April against the Stars.