Dennis Wideman Dennis Earl Wideman ( born March 20 , 1983 ) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League . Wideman was drafted from the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League in the 8th round , 241st overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft . Playing career . Minor hockey . Wideman grew up playing his minor hockey in his hometown of Elmira , Ontario playing for the Woolwich Township Wildcats " B " of the OMHA ' s Tri - County League and the Guelph Reps AAA Bantams of the OMHA ' s South Central AAA League in 1997 – 98 . Wideman spent the 1998 – 99 season with the Elmira Sugar Kings of the MWJHL , scoring 18 goals and 48 points in 47 games . He was then drafted by the Sudbury Wolves of the OHL . Wideman began his OHL career with the Sudbury Wolves in the 1999 – 2000 season . In his rookie season in Sudbury , Wideman had 10 goals and 36 points in 63 games . He then added three points in 12 games in the playoffs . Wideman began the 2000 – 01 in Sudbury , scoring seven goals and 18 points in 25 games before being traded to the London Knights . Wideman finished the 2000 – 01 season in London , earning eight goals and 16 points in 24 games with the Knights . In the playoffs , Wideman had four assists in five games . Wideman exploded offensively in the 2001 – 02 season , scoring 27 goals and 69 points in 65 games with London , while registering 141 penalty minutes . In 12 playoff games , Wideman had four goals and 13 points . He had another solid offensive season in 2002 – 03 , as Wideman had 20 goals and 47 points in 55 games . He then added six goals and 12 points in 13 playoff games . Wideman returned to London as an overager in 2003 – 04 , and had another very solid season . Wideman scored 24 goals and had 65 points in 60 games , while having a + 52 rating . In 15 playoff games , Wideman scored seven goals and 17 points to finish his junior career . St . Louis Blues . Wideman signed as a free agent with the St . Louis Blues on June 30 , 2004 . He played his first professional season with the Worcester IceCats of the AHL in 2004 – 05 . In 79 games with Worcester , Wideman had 13 goals and 43 points . He then began the 2005 – 06 season with the Peoria Rivermen of the AHL , scoring two goals and six points in 12 games . Wideman was then called up to the NHL , and appeared in 67 games with the Blues in 2005 – 06 , scoring eight goals and 24 points . In 2006 – 07 , Wideman made the Blues out of training camp , and in 55 games , he scored five goals and 22 points . On February 27 , 2007 , the Blues traded Wideman to the Boston Bruins for Brad Boyes . Boston Bruins . Wideman finished the 2006 – 07 season with the Boston Bruins , as he recorded three points in 20 games with the team . He broke out offensively in the 2007 – 08 season , as Wideman had 13 goals and 36 points in 81 games , helping the Bruins return to the playoffs . Wideman scored a memorable goal on December 31 , 2007 , as at 4 : 40 of the second period , during a power play , he scored the 18 , 000th goal in Boston Bruins history when his shot beat Atlanta Thrashers goalie Kari Lehtonen in a 5 - 2 win over Atlanta . In the playoffs , Wideman had three assists in six games . In 2008 – 09 , Wideman once again had a very solid offensive season , scoring 13 goals and 50 points in 79 games to tie Zdeno Chara for most points by a defenseman on the team . Wideman finished sixth in the NHL with a + 32 rating . In 11 playoff games , Wideman had seven assists . Wideman struggled in the 2009 – 10 season , scoring only six goals and 30 points in 76 games . He had a very strong playoff though , scoring a goal and 12 points in 13 games . On June 22 , 2010 , the Bruins traded Wideman , their first round draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft , and their third round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft to the Florida Panthers for Nathan Horton and Gregory Campbell . Florida Panthers . Wideman had a solid offensive season with the Florida Panthers in 2010 – 11 , as he had nine goals and 33 points in 61 games . Washington Captials . The Panthers traded Wideman to the Washington Capitals for Jake Hauswirth and the Capitals third round draft pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft . At the time of the trade , Wideman was second on the Panthers scoring list .