David Liffiton David Liffiton ( born October 18 , 1984 ) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing with the Lake Erie Monsters of the American Hockey League , under contract to the Colorado Avalanche organization of the National Hockey League . Playing career . Liffiton began his junior career with the Aylmer Blues in the OHA Junior B before he was selected in the 16th round , 326th overall , in the 2000 Ontario Hockey League priority selection by the Plymouth Whalers . Joining the Whalers in the 2001 – 02 season , and developing as a physical stay - at - home defenseman , Liffiton recorded his best season statistically in 2002 – 03 with 5 goals for 16 points in 64 games to help the Whalers reach Western Conference finals against the Kitchener Rangers . He was subsequently drafted 63rd overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche . In his final year with Plymouth in 2003 – 04 , Liffiton ' s rights were included in a trade by the Avalanche , along with Chris McAllister , to the New York Rangers in exchange for Matthew Barnaby and a third round selection in 2004 ( Denis Parshin ) on March 8 , 2004 . Signing an entry level contract with the Rangers on July 29 , 2004 , he began his professional career with Rangers ECHL affiliate , the Charlotte Checkers , before moving up to American Hockey League affiliate , the Hartford Wolf Pack for the majority of the 2004 – 05 season . In the 2005 – 06 season he continued to play primarily with Hartford and finished second on the Wolf Pack with 169 Penalty minutes . Towards the end of the season , the Rangers were hit with injury on the blueline and David made his NHL debut playing a solitary game against rivals the New York Islanders , registering 2 penalty minutes , in a 3 - 2 defeat on April 11 , 2006 . He played in two further games in the 2006 – 07 season with the Rangers , including his first NHL fight against the Boston Bruins ' Jeremy Reich , but again remained entrenched as a physical force among the Wolf Pack blueline amassing 189 penalty minutes in 72 games . In his fourth season within the Rangers organization in 2007 – 08 , Liffiton was limited to only 21 games with the Wolf Pack suffering post - concussion symptoms that kept him sidelined for the majority of the year . On November 4 , 2008 , Liffiton signed as a free agent to a one - year contract with Esbjerg fB of the Danish League , Oddset Ligaen . Upon Completing the season , he ended his European stint on July 13 , 2009 , and came back to North America initially signing a one - year deal with Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League . David was invited to Syracuse ' s NHL affiliate , the Columbus Blue Jackets , training camp for the 2009 – 10 season and was signed to a one - year contract with the Blue Jackets before he was re - assigned to the Crunch on September 29 , 2009 . David spent the entire year with the Crunch , and developed a career season high with 5 goals , 15 assists and 20 points as the Crunch failed to qualify for the Calder Cup playoffs . As a free agent , David returned to his original draft team in the Colorado Avalanche , signing a one - year contract on July 2 , 2010 . He was then re - assigned during the 2010 – 11 pre - season to the Avalanche ' s AHL affiliate , the Lake Erie Monsters , on September 23 , 2010 . His first NHL goal was scored on October 30 , 2010 against Steve Mason of the Columbus Blue Jackets .