Michael Blunden is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played as a right winger. He was born on December 15, 1986, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Blunden began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Erie Otters in 2002. He played for the Otters for four seasons, from 2002 to 2006, and was a consistent scorer for the team.
In 2005, Blunden was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks in 2006, playing in two games. However, he spent most of his time in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Norfolk Admirals, where he played for three seasons.
In 2009, Blunden was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he played for two seasons. He played in a total of 51 games for the Blue Jackets, scoring two goals and four assists. In 2011, Blunden signed with the Montreal Canadiens as a free agent. He played for the Canadiens for two seasons, playing in a total of 51 games and scoring two goals and three assists.
In 2013, Blunden signed with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he played for one season. He played in 12 games for the Lightning, scoring one goal and one assist. In 2014, Blunden signed with the Ottawa Senators, where he played for one season. He played in seven games for the Senators, scoring one goal and one assist.
In 2015, Blunden signed with the Syracuse Crunch, the AHL affiliate of the Lightning. He played for the Crunch for two seasons, serving as the team's captain in his second season. In 2017, Blunden signed with the Toronto Marlies, the AHL affiliate of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played for the Marlies for one season, serving as an alternate captain.
In 2018, Blunden announced his retirement from professional hockey. Over the course of his career, he played in a total of 127 NHL games, scoring four goals and eight assists. He also played in 518 AHL games, scoring 129 goals and 134 assists.
Blunden was known for his physical play and his ability to play a two-way game. He was a reliable player who could be counted on to play in all situations. He was also a leader on and off the ice, serving as a captain or alternate captain for several teams throughout his career.
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