Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.whl.ca
- Name: James Wright
- Position: C
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-3
- Weight: 195 lbs
- Birthdate: 1990-03-24
- Eligible for Draft: 2008
- Drafted: 2008
- Hometown: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- Acquired: Trade with Tampa Bay, 2011
- Playing In: Pro
James Wright
Prospect Grade: 6.5 B (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
2006-07: Wright saw limited ice time as a WHL rookie (he played in two games in 2005-06) with the Vancouver Giants. He scored 5 goals with 7 assists and was +10 with 31 assists in 48 games for the B.C. Division regular season champs. Wright scored 3 goals with 1 assist and was +3 in 14 playoff games as the Giants reached the WHL Finals before falling to Medicine Hat in an epic seven-game series. Wright scored two goals in Vancouver's five-game run to the Memorial Cup championship - both in an 8-1 win over OHL Champion Plymouth.
2007-08: Wright had a difficult time in his second season with the Vancouver Giants (WHL) - due both to health issues and a deep Vancouver lineup. While he failed to meet the high expectations placed on him heading into his draft season, Wright notched 13 goals and 23 assists and was +4 with 21 PIM in 60 games. A case of mononucleosis slowed him in the middle of the season and he suffered an injury during the WHL playoffs, appearing in just six games and scoring 1 power play goal with 2 PIM. Wright was -3 for the playoffs. Wright was drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the fourth round (117th overall) of the 2008 NHL Draft.
2008-09: Wright, after attending Lightning training camp, returned to Vancouver for his third WHL season. He got off to a great start as Vancouver once again dominated the B.C. Division and lost just 10 games in regulation during the season. Wright scored 21 goals with 26 assists and was +26 with 54 PIM in 71 games. In the playoffs, Wright scored 3 goals with 7 assists with 13 PIM and an even plus/minus in 17 games as the Giants defeated Prince George and Spokane in the opening round before falling to Kelowna in six games in the Western Conference finals.
2009-10: Wright made Tampa Bay's opening night roster after a strong training camp playing alongside veteran Jeff Halpern and spent half the season with the Lightning before being returned to juniors in January. Wright scored 2 goals with 3 assists and was -9 with 18 PIM. He averaged just over 11 minutes of ice time per game in 48 games with Tampa Bay. Back in juniors, he scored 6 goals with 13 assists and was -4 with 17 PIM in 21 games for the Giants. In the WHL playoffs, Wright scored 7 goals with 9 assists and was +1 with 4 PIM in 16 games as the Giants once again reached the Western Conference finals - falling to Tri-City Americans in six games.
2010-11: Wright appeared in one November game for the Lightning and spent the season with AHL affiliate Norfolk. Wright was -2 in just over four minutes of ice-time in his only NHL game after skating in 48 games with Tampa Bay as a 19-year-old the previous season. Wright was one of two Norfolk players to play all 80 games for the Admirals and scored 16 goals with 31 assists with a -6 plus/minus and 64 PMs. The Admirals reached the playoffs after finishing fourth in the East division and in six playoff games Wright had 1 goal and was -3 with 8 PMs.
Talent Analysis
Wright is a gritty, two-way player with the prototypical size to play that type of style. Wright has a nice blend of skills but has not yet scored on the consistent basis that his talent suggests. He is very well-schooled in defensive positioning and puck support and can be used in all situations. Wright was a power play threat at the junior level. He is still developing and will improve as he adds strength and improves his technical skills.
Future
Wright has been dealt to the Florida Panthers by the Lightning. In the long-term, Wright projects as a solid two-way forward, either on the second or third line, who is also capable of supplying some offense.
Stats
.
Profile Last Updated: December, 6th 2011
HF Quick Navigation
