Mark Eaton was a professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on May 6, 1977, in Wilmington, Delaware, and grew up in nearby Wilmington, Delaware. Eaton began his hockey career playing for the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the NCAA. He played for the Fighting Irish from 1996 to 1998, where he was named to the CCHA All-Rookie Team in his first season.
Eaton was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, where he played for the Flyers for two seasons. He then played for the Nashville Predators for two seasons before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2006. Eaton played for the Penguins for four seasons, where he won the Stanley Cup in 2009. He then played for the New York Islanders for two seasons before retiring in 2013.
Throughout his career, Eaton was known for his defensive skills and his ability to block shots. He was a reliable defenseman who could be counted on to play a solid game every night. Eaton was also known for his leadership skills, and he was often a captain or alternate captain for the teams he played for.
Eaton's best season came in 2006-2007 when he played for the Nashville Predators. He played in all 82 games that season and recorded 16 points (3 goals, 13 assists) while also blocking 132 shots. Eaton's strong play that season earned him a spot on the United States national team for the 2007 IIHF World Championships.
Eaton's most memorable moment came in the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals when he scored the game-winning goal in Game 4 against the Detroit Red Wings. Eaton's goal helped the Penguins tie the series at 2-2, and they went on to win the Stanley Cup in seven games.
After retiring from hockey, Eaton became a television analyst for the Pittsburgh Penguins. He also started his own hockey school, the Mark Eaton Hockey Academy, which is based in Pittsburgh. Eaton is also involved in various charitable organizations, including the Mario Lemieux Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
In conclusion, Mark Eaton was a reliable defenseman who played in the NHL for over a decade. He was known for his defensive skills, his ability to block shots, and his leadership skills. Eaton won the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009 and was a member of the United States national team for the 2007 IIHF World Championships. After retiring from hockey, Eaton became a television analyst and started his own hockey school.
🏒