Manny Malhotra is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 16 seasons. He was born on May 18, 1980, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, and began his hockey career at a young age. Malhotra played junior hockey for the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and was drafted seventh overall by the New York Rangers in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
Malhotra made his NHL debut with the Rangers in the 1998-1999 season and played with the team for three seasons. He then played for the Dallas Stars, Columbus Blue Jackets, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Montreal Canadiens throughout his career. Malhotra was known for his strong defensive play, faceoff skills, and leadership qualities.
During his time in the NHL, Malhotra played in over 1,000 games and scored 116 goals and 179 assists for a total of 295 points. He was also a valuable penalty killer and won over 55% of his faceoffs throughout his career. Malhotra was a respected player in the league and was known for his work ethic and dedication to the game.
In addition to his NHL career, Malhotra also represented Canada in international competitions. He won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 1999 World Junior Championships and played for Canada in the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics.
Malhotra's career was not without its challenges. In 2011, he suffered a serious eye injury while playing for the Vancouver Canucks. He was hit in the eye by a puck and suffered a torn retina, which required multiple surgeries and threatened to end his career. However, Malhotra was determined to return to the ice and worked tirelessly to recover from his injury. He eventually returned to play for the Canucks and later the Hurricanes and Canadiens.
Malhotra retired from professional hockey in 2016 and has since worked as an assistant coach for the Vancouver Canucks and as a development coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He is also involved in various charitable organizations and is known for his philanthropic work.
Overall, Manny Malhotra had a successful career in the NHL and was a respected player and leader on and off the ice. His dedication to the game and his perseverance in the face of adversity make him a role model for young hockey players.
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