Joe Motzko

**Joseph Andrew Motzko** (born March 14, 1980) is an American former professional ice hockey right winger. He played parts of 15 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Anaheim Ducks, Washington Capitals, and Atlanta Thrashers. Outside of the NHL, Motzko has also played for ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL), EC Red Bull Salzburg of the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga (EBEL), and Ritten/Renon of Serie A.

Motzko is a one-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with the Ducks in 2007.

## Career

Before playing in the NHL, Motzko played parts of one season with the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) and four years with the St. Cloud State Huskies of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). He had a successful time with his teams. With the Huskies, Motzko was named WCHA Rookie of the Week and he also won the Broadmoor Trophy with the Huskies.

He was not drafted by an NHL team. On May 15, 2003, Motzko signed a multi-year contract to join the Columbus Blue Jackets. He was immediately sent down to play for their AHL-affiliate Syracuse Crunch. On February 2, 2004, the Blue Jackets called him up and Motzko made his NHL debut in a 3–3 overtime tie against the Phoenix Coyotes. On November 25, Boulton scored his first NHL goal against Nikolai Khabibulin in a 5–4 overtime win against the Chicago Blackhawks. On July 28, 2005, Motzko signed a two-year contract to stay with the Blue Jackets.

On January 26, 2007, the Blue Jackets traded Motzko along with Mark Hartigan and a 2007 fourth-round draft pick to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Curtis Glencross, Zenon Konopka, and either a 2007 or 2008 Conditional seven-round draft pick. He helped the Ducks when they went on a run in the playoffs. They defeated the Minnesota Wild, Vancouver Canucks, and Detroit Red Wings. They went on to defeat the Ottawa Senators four games to one in the Final to win the Stanley Cup. Motzko played in 3 playoff games for the Ducks.

On July 9, 2007, Motzko signed a two-year, $1.025 million contract to join the Washington Capitals. He scored 2 goals and recorded 2 assists for 4 points in 8 games with the Capitals.

On February 26, 2008, the Capitals traded Motzko to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for Alexandre Giroux. He played 6 regular season games with the Thrashers and scored 1 goal.

On September 15, 2009, Motzko left North America and signed a contract to join ERC Ingolstadt of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). He played parts of four seasons with the team.

On June 26, 2013, Motzko signed a one-year contract to join EC Red Bull Salzburg of the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga (EBEL). HE scored 11 goals and recorded 20 assists for 31 points in 45 regular season games. Motzko retired from playing professional ice hockey in 2017.

## Infobox (ice hockey player)

- **image**: Joe Motzko.jpg
- **caption**: Motzko during his with the Stanley Cup in 2007
- **position**: Winger (ice hockey), Right wing
- **shoots**: Right
- **birth place**: Bemidji, Minnesota, Bemidji, Minnesota
- **height ft**: 6
- **height in**: 1
- **weight lb**: 196
- **played for**: Columbus Blue Jackets
Anaheim Ducks
Washington Capitals
Atlanta Thrashers
ERC Ingolstadt
EC Red Bull Salzburg
Ritten Sport, Ritten/Renon
- **draft**: 234th overall
- **draft year**: 1994
- **draft team**: New York Rangers
- **career start**: 1996
- **career end**: 2017