Shea Weber

Shea Weber (born August 14, 1985) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Drafted in the second round, 49th overall by the Predators in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Weber has spent his entire NHL career with the Predators. He has also suited up for the Sicamous Eagles of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL), the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL) and the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Personal life
Weber was born on August 14, 1985 in Salmon Arm, British Columbia. Despite being born in Salmon Arm, Weber was raised in Sicamous, British Columbia. Growing up in the Sicamous and District Minor Hockey Association of the BCAHA, Weber often switched between forward and defenceman. He credits his father for convincing him to make the switch to defence because he thought Weber would "have a better shot at a pro career as a defenceman". Shea has a brother named Brandon who also plays hockey.

Nashville Predators
On September 10, 2004, Weber signed a three-year, $1.425–million entry level contract with his draft team, the Nashville Predators. A year and a half later, Weber made his NHL debut on January 6, 2006 versus the Detroit Red Wings, recording three shots on goal in 11:08 of icetime. Three months later, on April 6, 2006, Weber scored his first NHL goal against Reinhard Divis of the St. Louis Blues in a 3–0 Nashville victory. Weber would go on to play in 28 games in his rookie season, finishing with two goals and ten assists. He then added an addition two goals in four playoff games with the Predators before the team was eliminated in the first round by the San Jose Sharks. With Nashville's AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, still in playoff action, Weber was reassigned to the Admirals roster for the remainder of the AHL playoffs. There he compiled six goals and five assists in fourteen games as the Admirals nearly clinched the Calder Cup, losing to the Hershey Bears in six games in the Calder Cup Finals.

In his sophomore season, Weber evolved into one of Nashville's most important players. At the midway point of the season, Weber had already compiled 26 points. His play was rewarded on January 14, 2007 when he was named to the Western Conference roster for the 2007 NHL YoungStars Game in Dallas, Texas. Weber went on to finish the season with forty points, finishing eighth on the Predators roster in total points. Weber added an additional three assists in five playoff games before the Predators were eliminated by the San Jose Sharks for the second consecutive season.

Weber's third season with the Predators began with a rash of injuries. After playing only 2:19 of the first period in Nashville's season opening game versus the Colorado Avalanche, Weber fell awkwardly and dislocated his kneecap. As a result, Weber missed the next six weeks of games before returning to the Nashville lineup versus the St. Louis Blues on November 17, 2007. Shortly thereafter, Weber suffered another injury, this time injuring his leg and missing eleven games before he returned to the Predators lineup for a January 15, 2008 game versus the Calgary Flames. On June 23, 2008, Weber signed a three-year, $13.5 million contract extension with the Predators.

International play
Weber has twice represented Canada at the international level of ice hockey. His first experience with Canada came for the national junior team, when on December 22, 2004, he was named to the roster for the 2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Grand Forks, North Dakota. There he paired with Dion Phaneuf to form Canada's top defensive pair, helping Canada win its first junior gold medal since the 1997 tournament. Despite being held pointless throughout the tournament, Weber finished tied for third among plus/minus leaders with a rating of +10.

Weber made his debut with the national senior team, when on April 22, 2007, he accepted an invitation to join the team for the 2007 IIHF World Championship. However, Weber's experience in this tournament was marred by an ugly incident for which he was suspended three games. Merely 1:19 into Canada's preliminary round game versus Germany, Weber hit Yannic Seidenberg in the chin with his elbow, concussing Seidenberg and sidelining him for the remainder of the tournament. After serving his suspension, Weber continued the tournament, finishing with two points in his six games played, including a goal in Canada's 5–1 quarterfinal victory over Switzerland. Canada would go on to win the gold medal in the tournament, defeating Finland 4–2.

Awards

 * 2004 – WHL West Second All-Star Team
 * 2004 – CHL Memorial Cup All-Star Team
 * 2005 – WHL airBC Trophy
 * 2005 – WHL West First All-Star Team
 * 2007 – Played in NHL YoungStars Game
 * 2009 - Played on the NHL Western Conference All-Star Team

Transaction

 * June 21, 2003 – Drafted in the second round, 49th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft