Paul Mara is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on September 7, 1979, in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and began his hockey career playing for the Belmont Hill School in Massachusetts.
Mara was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 1997-98 season and played for the Lightning for three seasons before being traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in 2001.
Mara played for the Coyotes for four seasons and was known for his physical play and offensive skills. He scored a career-high 15 goals and 32 assists in the 2005-06 season. In 2005, he also represented the United States at the World Championships and helped the team win a bronze medal.
In 2005, Mara was traded to the Boston Bruins, where he played for two seasons. He then played for the New York Rangers for three seasons and was named an alternate captain in his second year with the team.
Mara also played for the Montreal Canadiens, Anaheim Ducks, and the Buffalo Sabres before retiring in 2012. He played a total of 734 NHL games and scored 64 goals and 197 assists.
Throughout his career, Mara was known for his physical play and his ability to contribute offensively. He was also known for his leadership skills and was often named an alternate captain or captain for his teams.
After retiring from hockey, Mara became a player agent and currently works for the Orr Hockey Group. He also serves as a color commentator for the New York Islanders on MSG Networks.
In addition to his hockey career, Mara is also known for his charitable work. He has been involved with the Garden of Dreams Foundation, which helps children facing obstacles, and the Smile Train, which provides cleft lip and palate surgeries to children in need.
Overall, Paul Mara had a successful career in the NHL and was known for his physical play, offensive skills, and leadership abilities. He continues to be involved in the hockey world and in charitable work.
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