Player's Profile
Picture Courtesy of www.roughridershockey.com
- Name: Justin Abdelkader
- Position: C
- Shoots: Left
- Height: 6-1
- Weight: 215 lbs
- Birthdate: 1987-02-25
- Eligible for Draft: 2005
- Drafted:
- Hometown: Muskegon, Michigan
- Acquired: 2nd round (42nd overall), 2005
- Playing In: Pro
Justin Abdelkader
Prospect Grade: 7.0 C (About Prospect Grades)
Profile Contributed By: HF Staff
History
The Muskegon, MI native was a key contributor to the success of the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders and their capturing of the Clark Cup (USHL Championship) last season. He finished tied for third on the team in scoring with 52 points (27 goals, 25 assists) in 60 appearances. He was also a member of Team USHL at the 2005 USHL Prospects/All-Star game. Prior to his arrival in Cedar Rapids, Abdelkader played for Muskegon Mona Shores High School where he was named the 2004 recipient of Michigan’s Mr. Hockey Award, which recognizes the top high school player in the state.
2006-07: This marked Abdelkader’s sophomore season with Michigan State University (CCHA). He was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2007 Frozen Four tournament. He scored the game-winning goal in the National Championship game against Boston College with just 18.9 second left- the latest a game-winner has ever been scored in an NCAA title game. He led the Spartans in penalties (40) and penalty minutes (91). He finished third on the team in scoring with 33 points, and tied for third on the squad with 18 assists. Three of his tallies were game-winners and he was one of six players to net four or more power play goals. 70 of his 91 penalty minutes came in conference games. He had a goal and an assist in a season-opening win over Western Michigan on Oct. 13. He tied a career-best three-game assist streak twice in the postseason- from game two of the CCHA quarterfinals to the consolation contest at the CCHA tournament, and from the Midwest Regional final to the national title game. He was also a member of team USA at the World Junior Championship, where he tallied two assists in seven games.
2007-08: Abdelkader singed with the Detroit Red Wings on April 3, 2008, forgoing his final season of collegiate eligibility and thus ending his career with Michigan State University (CCHA). This season marked his third and final season with the Spartans. He served as alternate captain and was named to the NCAA West Regional All-Tournament Team. He was honored as the CCHA’s Best Defensive Forward and also received the 2008 Mike and Marion Ilitch Humanitarian Award. He was Pre-Season and Post-Season Honorable Mention All-CCHA pick and earned MSU hockey’s Spartan Fitness Award, as well as being voted the recipient of the Amo Bessone Award, honoring athletic, academic, and community participation. He started the “Shoot for a Cure” initiative to help raise money for children’s cancer, which raised more than $5,000 for the cause. He was named CCHA Offensive Player of the Week on Mar. 3 after recording his first career hat trick in the regular season home finale against Bowling Green on Feb. 29. He tied for eighth in the nation in game-winning goals (5). He finished the season with 40 points (19g+21a) in 42 games with the Spartans and appeared in two games with the Red Wings, registering six shots.
Talent Analysis
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Profile Last Updated: November, 2nd 2009
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