Mark Friedman
Mark Isaac Friedman (born December 25, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the 3rd round the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, the 86th overall pick of the draft. Prior to turning professional, Friedman played for the Bowling Green Falcons for three seasons where he was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team and First Team All-WCHA. Early life. Mark Isaac Friedman was born on December 25, 1995, in Toronto, Ontario, to parents Jeff and Joanne. He  was born into an athletic family: both his father and his uncle Bram were ice hockey players in their youths, and they had been coached by Friedman's paternal grandfather and namesake. As an adolescent, Friedman played minor ice hockey for the Don Mills Flyers of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), and in 2010, he helped the team capture the Kraft Cup as the regular-season GTHL champions. That season, the Don Mills Flyers allowed only 47 goals, the fewest of all 12 GTHL teams, and led the league in scoring with 126 goals of their own. Playing career . Junior. Friedman's junior ice hockey career began when he was called up from the Don Mills Flyers to the North York Rangers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), but he did not play a full season with the team until 2011–12. In 50 games with the Rangers, Friedman recorded nine goals and 18 assists for a total of 27 points. He led North York in defensive scoring during the 2011–12 season, and was named to the OJHL's 2012 All-Prospect Second Team. In an additional four playoff games for the Rangers, Friedman added one goal and three  assists. Friedman played for the Waterloo Blackhawks of the USHL in 2012–14. In 2014, he was named USHL Second All-Star Team. He was selected in the 3rd round the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, the 86th overall pick of the draft. NCAA. Prior to turning professional, Friedman played for the Bowling Green Falcons for three seasons on a full hockey scholarship. At the conclusion of his freshman year, Friedman was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team and the Falcons' co-Rookie of the Year. Following his successful freshman campaign, Friedman was invited to the Flyers  prospect and development camp before the 2015–16 season. In his sophomore season, Friedman was named to the First Team All-WCHA. Professional. Philadelphia Flyers. Friedman signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers on March 21, 2017. He was reassigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. He made his NHL debut on April 6, 2019, vs. the Carolina Hurricanes. On this date Friedman became the second Jewish player in Flyers history. In July 2020, Friedman and the Flyers agreed to a two-year, one-way contract extension, with an average annual value of $725,000. Remaining  on the Flyers roster for the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season, Friedman made 4 appearances from the blueline before he was placed on waivers on February 23, 2021. On the following day, Friedman was claimed by Flyers' division rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins, under the influence of the newly hired and former Flyers general manager, Ron Hextall. Pittsburgh Penguins. On February 24, 2021, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall announced that they had claimed Friedman off of waivers. He scored his first NHL goal against his former team in an eventual 4–3 loss and left the game early after a hit from  Nolan Patrick. Since joining the Penguins, Friedman has been vocal in his preference of Pittsburgh over Philadelphia, calling Philadelphia noisy and dirty. Personal life. Friedman was born in Toronto, Ontario, to parents Jeff and Joanne. Friedman is Jewish. His hometown is Toronto. His paternal grandfather, Mark Friedman (for whom he was named), played golf for the University of Miami.