John Madden is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on May 4, 1973, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Madden began his hockey career playing for the University of Michigan Wolverines, where he played for four seasons from 1993 to 1997. During his time at Michigan, Madden was a key player for the team, helping them win two NCAA championships in 1996 and 1997.
After graduating from college, Madden signed with the American Hockey League's (AHL) Albany River Rats, the affiliate team of the New Jersey Devils. He played for the River Rats for two seasons before making his NHL debut with the Devils in the 1998-1999 season. Madden quickly established himself as a reliable two-way forward, known for his defensive skills and penalty-killing abilities.
Madden played for the Devils for ten seasons, from 1998 to 2009, and was a key player on the team's 2000 and 2003 Stanley Cup championship teams. He was also a three-time finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy, awarded to the NHL's best defensive forward. In 2009, Madden signed as a free agent with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he played for two seasons before retiring in 2012.
Throughout his NHL career, Madden was known for his work ethic, leadership, and dedication to the game. He was a respected teammate and a fan favorite, known for his gritty style of play and his ability to shut down opposing teams' top players. Madden finished his NHL career with 165 goals and 348 points in 898 regular-season games, as well as 16 goals and 35 points in 116 playoff games.
After retiring from playing, Madden began a career in coaching. He served as an assistant coach for the Florida Panthers from 2012 to 2014 before joining the Devils as an assistant coach in 2016. In 2018, Madden was named the head coach of the Cleveland Monsters, the AHL affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets. He coached the Monsters for two seasons before stepping down in 2020.
In addition to his coaching career, Madden has also been involved in various charitable organizations throughout his career. He has been a longtime supporter of the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey, where he has helped raise funds for cancer research and treatment.
Overall, John Madden had a successful career in the NHL, known for his defensive skills, leadership, and work ethic. He was a key player on two Stanley Cup championship teams and was a respected teammate and fan favorite throughout his career. After retiring from playing, Madden has continued to be involved in the hockey community as a coach and a philanthropist.
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