Doug Weight

Douglas Daniel Weight (born January 21, 1971) is an American professional ice hockey player and captain of the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). He previously played for the New York Rangers, Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks and St. Louis Blues.

Playing career
He has played two seasons with the New York Rangers, nine seasons with the Edmonton Oilers, five and a half seasons with the St. Louis Blues, and currently plays for the New York Islanders. Weight has also played games in the German Elite League during the shortened 1994–95 NHL season and the cancelled 2004–05 NHL season. In his second time around in the DEL, he played for the Frankfurt Lions along with another NHL star, Stéphane Robidas. The two became instant fan favorites of the Frankfurt fans. Weight is primarily known for his astounding saucer passes, ability to make a play and his grit.

In the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals, Weight and the Carolina Hurricanes suffered a huge blow during Game 5. Weight was sandwiched heavily along the boards by Raffi Torres and Chris Pronger of the Edmonton Oilers in the second period of the game, which the Oilers won 4–3 in overtime. Weight missed the rest of the Finals with a shoulder injury. His team, however, won the Stanley Cup anyway on June 19, 2006.

On December 14, 2007, Weight was traded by the St. Louis Blues to the Anaheim Ducks for center Andy McDonald, only to be sent back at the trade deadline. On July 2, 2008, Weight was given a one year, $1.75 million contract by the New York Islanders.Weight re-signed with the Islanders for the 2009-2010 season. He will make $2.2 million including bonuses.

On October 2, 2009, he was named captain of the New York Islanders.

On August 31, 2010, Weight was given another one year deal with the New York Islanders.

Background and early career
Weight graduated in 1989 from Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods, Michigan. He joined the Junior A Compuware Team since his High School did not have a hockey program. Weight played two years in the NCAA with Lake Superior State University, from 1989–91. He was drafted by the New York Rangers in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft with their second pick, 34th overall. After completing his second year with his college team, he played a single playoff game with the Rangers in 1991, then split time between the Rangers and their AHL affiliate the Binghamton Rangers. He played 65 games with the Rangers in his first full NHL season, 1992–93, before being traded to the Edmonton Oilers for forward Esa Tikkanen.

Edmonton Oilers
Weight played eight full seasons and part of another one with the Oilers, serving as their captain from 1999–2001. It was as an Oiler that he earned his reputation as a premiere playmaker, leading Edmonton to five consecutive playoff appearances and scoring a personal-best 104 points during the troubled 1995–96 NHL season. Due to Edmonton's precarious financial situation, Weight was traded to St. Louis (with Michel Riesen for forwards Marty Reasoner and Jochen Hecht and defenceman Jan Horáček).

Notable achievements
Weight has played several times internationally for his country. He was part of the silver medal winning team at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, he also played with Team USA at the 1996 and 2004 World Cup of Hockey, and the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. He also led the 1991 World Junior (U20) Tournament in scoring for Team USA.

Weight recently played his 1000th game in the NHL. He played this game for the St. Louis Blues against the Edmonton Oilers. On January 2, 2009, he got his 1000th point while playing for the Islanders. Weight picked up the assist on a goal scored by Richard Park.

On October 2, 2009, Weight was named captain of the New York Islanders by a vote of his teammates.

Awards

 * 1990–91: First All-Star Team (CCHA)
 * 1990–91: West Second All-American Team (NCAA)
 * 1995–96: Played in All-Star Game (NHL)
 * 1995–96: World Cup of Hockey Championship (Team USA)
 * 1997–98: Played in All-Star Game (NHL)
 * 2000–01: Played in All-Star Game (NHL)
 * 2001–02: Silver medal (XIX Olympic Winter Games)
 * 2002–03: Played in All-Star Game (NHL)
 * 2005–06: Stanley Cup Championship (Carolina Hurricanes)