Jay Bouwmeester

**Jay Daniel Bouwmeester** (born September 27, 1983) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played parts of 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, and St. Louis Blues.

He is a one-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with Blues in 2001. He is also a two-time All-Star, being named one in 2007 and 2009. Internationally, Bouwmeester played for Canada. He won a gold medal with them at the 2014 Winter Olympics and also winning back-to-back gold medals with them at the 2003 and 2004 World Championships. This made him a member of the Triple Gold Club.

## Career
Before playing in the NHL, Bouwmeester played parts of four seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He had a successful time with the Tigers, being named to the WHL Eastern Conference First All-Star Team and also being selected to play in the NHL/NHL Top Prospects Game.

He was drafted 3rd overall by the Florida Panthers in the 2002 NHL entry draft. On October 10, 2002, Bouwmeester made his NHL debut in a 4–3 overtime against the Tampa Bay Lightning. During the game, he also recorded his first NHL point, assisting on a Niklas Hagman goal. On 6 December 2005, he scored his first NHL goal against Jocelyn Thibault in a 2–2 overtime tie against the Chicago Blackhawks. He did well in his rookie season and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. After the NHL entered a lockout, Bouwmeester decided to play for the Panthers' AHL-affiliate San Antonio Rampage. After the Rampage missed the playoffs, he was loaned tot he Chicago Wolves. He helped the Wolves during the playoffs. They defeated the Houston Aeros, Cincinnati Mighty Ducks, and Manitoba Moose. They were eventually swept and defeated four games to zero by the Philadelphia Phantoms in the Calder Cup Finals. Bouwmeester was very productive the next season, ending the season by scoring 5 goals and recording 41 assists for 46 points in 82 games which were all new career-highs for him. He was also selected to play in his first All-Star game that year. On July 28, 2008, Bouwmeester signed a one-year, $4.875 million to stay with the Panthers. He became the NHL's leading ironman after former leader Andrew Brunette was injured and also was selected for his second All-Star game.

On June 27, 2009, the Panthers traded Bouwmeester to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Jordan Leopold and a 2009 third-round draft pick. On June 30, Bouwmeester signed a five-year, $33 million to stay with the Flames. On March 15, 2011, Bouwmeester broke Kārlis Skrastiņš's record and became the new NHL leader in games played for a defenceman after playing in his 486th straight regular season game.

On April 1, 2013, the Flames traded Bouwmeester to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Mark Cundari, Reto Berra and a 2013 first-round draft pick. On August 1, 2013, Bouwmeester signed a five-year, $27 million contract to stay with the Blues. On November 23, 2014, Bouwmeester's ironman streak was snapped at 737 straight regular season games after he suffered an injury during a game against the Ottawa Senators and was forced to miss the game. It was the fifth-longest streak in NHL history. On April 8, 2019, Bouwmeester signed a one-year, $3.25 million contract to stay with the Blues. He helped the Blues during the playoffs. They defeated the Winnipeg Jets, Dallas Stars, and the San Jose Sharks. They eventually went on to defeat the Boston Bruins four games to three in the Final to win the first Stanley Cup in Blues franchise history.

During a game on February 11, 2020 against the Anaheim Ducks, Bouwmeester was on the bench when he went into cardiac arrest had to be revived with a defibulator. The game was later postponed and played again on March 11. On January 11, 2021, Bouwmeester announced that he was retiring from playing professional ice hockey.

## Personal life
On September 4, 2007, Bouwmeester pled guilty to one-count of Driving under the influence.

## References
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