Athletes - Rory Fitzpatrick

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	Athletes - Rory Fitzpatrick

Rory Fitzpatrick (born January 11, 1975 in Rochester, New York) is a professional ice hockey defenceman. He spent his junior career in the OHL with the Sudbury Wolves, and was selected in the second round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, 47th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens. He has become a Journeyman depth player at the NHL level, although he may finally have found a home with the Buffalo Sabres. His jersey number is 8.

Montreal and St. Louis

After completing his junior eligibility, Fitzpatrick made his professional debut in the AHL, although he eventually joined the Canadiens and played 42 games. Just six games into the following season, however, Fitzpatrick was dealt to St. Louis in the blockbuster Pierre Turgeon trade, where he played a pair of games before being shipped down to the minors. After that demotion, Fitzpatrick would only play one more game in a Blues uniform, spending the bulk of his time in the minor leagues before finally being traded to the Nashville Predators.

Nashville and Edmonton

Fitzpatrick's luck didn't improve with the Predators, one of the NHL's newest expansion teams, and he was sent to Edmonton after only two games. In Edmonton, he spent time as a healthy scratch, but never actually saw NHL icetime. He was, however, a reliable offensive threat with the Hamilton Bulldogs.

Career in Buffalo

Following the 2000-01 NHL Season, Fitzpatrick became an unrestricted free agent. Signing with the Buffalo Sabres as a depth defenseman, Fitzpatrick spent the majority of 2001-02 with his hometown team, the Rochester Americans of the AHL, although he did play five games with the Sabres. This gave him an opportunity to be reunited with former junior teammate Jay McKee.

In 2002-03, Fitzpatrick again started the year in Rochester. However, he was recalled four times by Buffalo, and the last time, on February 12, he stayed with the team, and spent the entire 2003-04 with them. Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff played him in all situations- evenstrength, on the power play and short-handed. A knee injury prematurely ended Fitzpatrick's season.

In July of 2004, Fitzpatrick filed for salaryarbitration, but was able to reach a deal with the Sabres before the hearing. During the NHL lockout, he spent his time doing odd jobs before signing with Rochester for the final twenty games. He also played with the Original Stars Hockey League before its collapse, and worked at a hockey clinic.

Transactions

June 26, 1993 - Fitzpatrick drafted by Montreal
October 29, 1996 - Montreal trades Fitzpatrick, Pierre Turgeon and Craig Conroy
to St. Louis for Shayne Corson, Murray Baron and a 5th round draft pick (Gennady Razin)
October 5, 1998 - Boston claims Fitzpatrick off waivers from St. Louis
October 7, 1998 - St. Louis claims Fitzpatrick off waivers from Boston
February 9, 2000 - St. Louis trades Fitzpatrick to Nashville for Dan Keczmer
January 12, 2001 - Nashville trades Fitzpatrick to Edmonton for future considerations
August 14, 2001 - Buffalo signs Fitzpatrick

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Rory Fitzpatrick ]

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