Rob Zettler is a former professional ice hockey player who played as a defenseman in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on March 8, 1968, in Sept-Îles, Quebec, Canada.
Zettler began his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Peterborough Petes in 1984. He played for the Petes for four seasons, from 1984 to 1988, and was named the team's captain in his final year. During his time with the Petes, Zettler was known for his physical play and his ability to shut down opposing teams' top players.
In 1988, Zettler was drafted by the Minnesota North Stars in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the North Stars in the 1989-90 season and played for the team for three seasons. In 1993, Zettler was traded to the San Jose Sharks, where he played for five seasons. He was known for his solid defensive play and his ability to block shots.
In 1998, Zettler signed with the Nashville Predators as a free agent. He played for the Predators for two seasons before being traded to the Washington Capitals in 2000. Zettler played for the Capitals for one season before being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2001. He played for the Maple Leafs for one season before retiring from professional hockey in 2002.
Throughout his NHL career, Zettler was known for his physical play and his ability to play a shutdown role on defense. He was a reliable penalty killer and was often called upon to defend against the opposing team's top players. Zettler was also known for his leadership skills and was named an alternate captain for several of the teams he played for.
After retiring from professional hockey, Zettler began a career in coaching. He served as an assistant coach for several NHL teams, including the Tampa Bay Lightning, the San Jose Sharks, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. In 2013, Zettler was named the head coach of the Syracuse Crunch, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Tampa Bay Lightning. He coached the team for two seasons before being let go in 2015.
Overall, Rob Zettler had a successful career as a professional hockey player, playing for several NHL teams over the course of more than a decade. He was known for his physical play, his solid defensive skills, and his leadership abilities. After retiring from playing, Zettler began a successful career in coaching, serving as an assistant coach for several NHL teams and as a head coach in the AHL.
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