Jeff Norton is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. Norton was born on November 25, 1965, in Acton, Massachusetts, and grew up playing hockey in the Boston area. He played college hockey at the University of Michigan, where he was a standout defenseman and helped lead the Wolverines to the NCAA championship game in 1985.
After college, Norton was drafted by the New York Islanders in the second round of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Islanders in the 1987-88 season and quickly established himself as a solid defenseman. Norton was known for his smooth skating, strong defensive play, and ability to move the puck up the ice.
Norton played for the Islanders for six seasons before being traded to the San Jose Sharks in 1993. He spent two seasons with the Sharks before being traded again, this time to the St. Louis Blues. Norton played for the Blues for two seasons before being traded once more, this time to the Edmonton Oilers.
Norton played for the Oilers for one season before signing as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 1998. He played for the Lightning for two seasons before being traded to the San Jose Sharks, where he finished his NHL career in 2002.
Over the course of his NHL career, Norton played in 799 games, scoring 62 goals and 246 assists for a total of 308 points. He was known for his durability, playing in over 70 games in a season eight times during his career. Norton also represented the United States in international competition, playing in the 1991 Canada Cup and the 1994 Winter Olympics.
After retiring from hockey, Norton worked as a television analyst for the San Jose Sharks and later for the New York Islanders. He also worked as a coach and mentor for young hockey players, helping to develop the next generation of talent.
Overall, Jeff Norton had a successful career as a professional hockey player, playing for several teams and earning a reputation as a solid defenseman. He was known for his smooth skating, strong defensive play, and ability to move the puck up the ice. Norton's contributions to the sport of hockey have been recognized by his induction into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor in 2009.
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