Jason Blake is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on September 2, 1973, in Moorhead, Minnesota, and grew up playing hockey in his hometown. Blake played college hockey at Ferris State University in Michigan, where he was a standout player and earned All-CCHA honors in his senior year.
After college, Blake signed with the Los Angeles Kings as an undrafted free agent in 1999. He spent two seasons with the Kings' minor league affiliate, the Lowell Lock Monsters, before making his NHL debut in the 2000-01 season. Blake played two seasons with the Kings before being traded to the New York Islanders in 2001.
Blake spent the majority of his career with the Islanders, playing for the team from 2001 to 2007. He was a key player for the Islanders during this time, scoring 40 goals in the 2006-07 season and earning a spot on the NHL All-Star team. Blake was known for his speed and tenacity on the ice, as well as his ability to score goals and create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
In 2007, Blake signed as a free agent with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played two seasons with the Leafs before being traded to the Anaheim Ducks in 2009. Blake played one season with the Ducks before being diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia, a type of blood cancer, in October 2009.
Despite his diagnosis, Blake continued to play hockey and returned to the ice for the 2010-11 season. He played one more season with the Ducks before retiring from professional hockey in 2012. Over the course of his NHL career, Blake played in 871 games and scored 213 goals and 247 assists for a total of 460 points.
Off the ice, Blake was known for his philanthropic work and dedication to raising awareness for cancer research. He founded the Jason Blake Foundation in 2008, which raises funds for cancer research and provides support for cancer patients and their families.
In conclusion, Jason Blake was a talented and dedicated professional hockey player who played in the NHL for over a decade. He was known for his speed, tenacity, and scoring ability, and was a key player for the New York Islanders during his time with the team. Despite being diagnosed with cancer, Blake continued to play hockey and was a source of inspiration for many. He retired from professional hockey in 2012 and continues to be involved in philanthropic work through his foundation.
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