Tom Gilbert

Tom Gilbert
Gilbert with the Montreal Canadiens in January 2015
Born	(1983-01-10) January 10, 1983 (age 34) Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	206 lb (93 kg; 14 st 10 lb)
Position	Defense
Shoots	Right
NHL team (P) Cur. team Former teams	Washington Capitals Hershey Bears (AHL) Edmonton Oilers Minnesota Wild Florida Panthers Montreal Canadiens Los Angeles Kings
National team	United States
NHL Draft	129th overall, 2002 Colorado Avalanche
Playing career	2006–present

Thomas Kelly Gilbert (born January 10, 1983) is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previously played in the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers, Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings.

Gilbert played his high school hockey for Minnesota powerhouse Bloomington Jefferson High School and was the captain his senior year, 2001. That same year, he switched to forward from defense, which he played as a sophomore and junior. He responded by scoring four goals in his first game at forward against a strong Hill-Murray team.

Known by most scouts for his two-way ability in both ends of the ice, Gilbert was drafted in the fifth round, 129th overall, at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche. He was later traded to the Edmonton Oilers on March 9, 2004, in exchange for struggling goaltender Tommy Salo and a sixth-round draft pick in 2005.

Gilbert played junior hockey with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL). He made his debut at the University of Wisconsin–Madison with the Badgers in 2002. In the 2005–06 season, he ranked third on the team in points, and also scored the winning goal in the 2006 NCAA Championship game against Boston College.