Tom Kostopoulos

Tom Kostopoulos
Born (1979-01-24) January 24, 1979
Mississauga, ON, CAN
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 204 lb (93 kg; 14 st 8 lb)
Position Right Wing
Shoots Right
AHL team
Former teams
WBS Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
Los Angeles Kings
Montreal Canadiens
Carolina Hurricanes
Calgary Flames
New Jersey Devils
NHL Draft 204th overall, 1999
Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career 2001present

Thomas George Kostopoulos (Greek: Θωμάς Κωστόπουλος; born January 24, 1979) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He is currently a member and captain of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL). Kostopoulos was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the seventh round (204th overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, and the 2015–16 season was his 17th year as a professional hockey player.

Playing career

In his early years, Tom graduated from Fairwind Senior Public School in 1993. After playing much of his minor hockey in the GTHL with the Toronto Marlboros and Mississauga Reps, Kostopoulos played 1 year with the Brampton Capitals of the OJHL (OHA). He was a 2nd round pick (18th overall) in the 1996 OHL Priority Selection by the London Knights. Kostopoulos's nickname during his tenure for the London Knights was "Tommy Non-stopoulos" due to his extraordinary on-ice work ethic.

Kostopoulos was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the seventh round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. Before that he played junior hockey with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League. He made his professional minor-league hockey debut with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League. Kostopoulos made his NHL debut with the Penguins in the 2001–02 season and enjoyed his best season so far with Pittsburgh in 2003–04. During the 2005 off season, he played with the Manchester Monarchs, having signed a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Kings. On July 3, 2007 he signed a free-agent contract with the Montreal Canadiens.

Kostopoulos is known as the team joker in the dressing room. He once sewed someone's keys inside their pocket.[1]

On January 22, 2008, he recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick in an 8–2 victory against the Boston Bruins. His fight opponent was Shane Hnidy.

On November 10, 2008, Kostopoulos was suspended for three games for a hit on Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Mike Van Ryn during the game between the teams on November 8. He was given a boarding major penalty and ejected from the game. Kostopoulos will also forfeit US-$33,000 in pay. Kostopoulos responded about the incident by saying," First and foremost, I sincerely regret the injuries suffered by Mike Van Ryn...this is an unfortunate turn of events. I was just trying to get in on the forecheck and get the puck. I didn't anticipate him turning and couldn't stop. I was trying to finish my check and obviously it did not end up well. I never intend on injuring another player. I feel bad. I hope he is going to be all right and resume playing as quickly as possible."[2] NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell said in announcing the suspension that while Van Ryn was not in a defenceless position, his injuries—including a concussion—were significant enough to warrant suspending Kostopoulos.[3]

Kostopoulos was again suspended for a January 7, 2011 hit which broke Brad Stuart's jaw. Kostopoulos was assessed a minor roughing penalty during the game, but then served a six-game suspension for making primary contact with the head.[4]

On January 23, 2013, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL announced Kostopoulos had signed with the team on a Professional Try Out.[5] On March 5, 2013, the Pittsburgh Penguins signed Kostopoulos to a one-year two-way contract.[6] but was claimed off waivers by the New Jersey Devils the following day.

On September 3, 2013, Kostopoulos signed a one-year AHL contract to continue to play with and lead the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.[7]

Personal life

Kostopoulos was born in Mississauga, Ontario, on January 24, 1979.[8] He has a brother named Chris, a coach in Texas, as his biggest influence in hockey.[9] He and his wife Lisa have two children: Lily and Luc. His brother, Chris, has three sons, Cameron, Tyler, and Josh Kostopoulos. Chris is married to Wendy Kostopoulos. Tom has one half sister, Laurie Bodley.[10] They spend their offseasons in Oakville, Ontario.[9]

Family

His mother is Cheryl Kostopoulos, who is of English heritage, and his father is George Kostopoulos, who is Greek.

He is of Greek descent, and in 2008 was the grand marshal of the Hellenic Community of Montreal's Greek Independence Day parade.[11] Kostopoulos is involved with the Canadian Cancer Society as well as Garth Brooks' Teammates For Kids Foundation.[9]

Career statistics

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1996–97London KnightsOHL6413122567
1997–98London KnightsOHL6624265010816641026
1998–99London KnightsOHL662760871142519163532
1999–00Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL76263258121
2000–01Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL801636521202139126
2001–02Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL111239
2001–02Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL70272653112
2002–03Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL7121426313161237
2002–03Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL80110
2003–04Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL21713204324716233
2003–04Pittsburgh PenguinsNHL609132267
2004–05Manchester MonarchsAHL6425467199607710
2005–06Los Angeles KingsNHL7681422100
2006–07Los Angeles KingsNHL767152273
2007–08Montreal CanadiensNHL677613113123146
2008–09Montreal CanadiensNHL788142210640114
2009–10Carolina HurricanesNHL8281321106
2010–11Carolina HurricanesNHL1713430
2010–11Calgary FlamesNHL59771444
2011–12Calgary FlamesNHL81481257
2012–13Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL1734743
2012–13New Jersey DevilsNHL1510118
2013–14Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL712225477217461020
2014–15Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL7216284462832512
2015–16Wilkes-Barre/Scranton PenguinsAHL75193352971057124
NHL totals 630 61 96 157 723 16 3 2 5 10

References

  1. Brian Cazenuve (2006-11-08). "Streaking Ducks, sinking Sens and other notes". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2014-05-01.
  2. "NHL suspends Canadiens' Kostopoulos for hit on Van Ryn". The Sports Network.ca. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
  3. Zwolinski, Mark (2008-11-08). "Van Ryn hit puts more heat on NHL". The Toronto Star. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
  4. Brehm, Mike (2011-01-10). "Kostopoulos will sit six games for hit that broke Stuart's jaw". USA Today. Retrieved 2011-01-12.
  5. "Tom Kostopoulos signs PTO with Penguins". Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 2013-01-23. Retrieved 2013-01-23.
  6. "Penguins sign Tom Kostopoulos to one-year deal". Pittsburgh Penguins. 2013-03-05. Retrieved 2013-03-05.
  7. "Wilkes-Barre/Scranton sign Kostopoulos to AHL deal". Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. 2013-09-03. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
  8. "Tom Kostopoulos player profile". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  9. 1 2 3 Sundheim, Mark; Hanlin, Kyle, eds. (2010). 2010–11 Carolina Hurricanes Media Guide. Carolina Hurricanes Hockey Club. p. 36.
  10. Stubbs, Dave (January 18, 2011). ""Tough watching your team play," Tom Kostopoulos says". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
  11. "Greek community honours past and celebrates its future". Montreal Gazette. March 31, 2008. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Jason MacDonald




Joey Mormina
Captain of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
2002–04
(shared with)
Kris Beech (2003–04)
Patrick Boileau (2003–04)

2013–present
Succeeded by
Rob Scuderi




Incumbent
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