Michael Sauer (ice hockey)

Michael Curtis "Mike" Sauer (born August 7, 1987) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played three seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the New York Rangers. He is the younger brother of Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Kurt Sauer, and of former Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings (NFL) linebacker Craig Sauer.[1][2][3] Sauer was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, but grew up in Sartell, Minnesota.

For the Washington wine grower, see Mike Sauer (wine).
Michael Sauer
Born (1987-08-07) August 7, 1987
St. Cloud, Minnesota, U.S.
Height 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight 220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position Defense
Shot Right
Played for New York Rangers
NHL Draft 40th overall, 2005
New York Rangers
Playing career 2007–2012

Playing career

He was drafted in the 2nd round, 40th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft; the Rangers acquired this draft pick from the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of the Brian Leetch trade a year prior.

Sauer signed his first professional contract with the Rangers on August 8, 2006. He played for the Rangers' minor league affiliate in Hartford of the AHL for most of the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 seasons, and was promoted to the Rangers on March 23, 2009.[4][5][6][7] He made his NHL debut with the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on March 24, 2009, against the Minnesota Wild.[8]

After spending all of 2009 with Hartford, Sauer began the 2010 season in the NHL with the Rangers, and was in the Rangers' opening night lineup.[9] He scored his first NHL goal on December 9, 2010, against Brian Elliott of the Ottawa Senators.[10][11] On July 8, 2011, Sauer, a restricted free agent, re-signed with the Rangers to a two-year, $2.5 million deal.

Sauer suffered a concussion as a result of a hard hit by Dion Phaneuf on December 5, 2011. No penalty was assessed and he has not played since.[12] After the 2012-13 season, Sauer's contract expired and he did not receive a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.[13]

Career statistics
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2004–05 Portland Winterhawks WHL 32 2 11 13 10 — — — — —
2005–06 Portland Winterhawks WHL 59 8 23 31 68 12 4 2 6 8
2006–07 Portland Winterhawks WHL 33 4 8 12 46 — — — — —
2006–07 Medicine Hat Tigers WHL 32 1 10 11 29 23 1 5 6 34
2007–08 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 71 4 7 11 80 2 0 0 0 0
2008–09 New York Rangers NHL 3 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2008–09 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 64 6 17 23 35 6 0 0 0 10
2009–10 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 42 3 9 12 45 — — — — —
2010–11 New York Rangers NHL 76 3 12 15 75 5 0 1 1 0
2011–12 New York Rangers NHL 19 1 2 3 21 — — — — —
NHL totals 98 4 14 18 96 5 0 1 1 0

References
  1. "SAUER FEELING RIGHT AT HOME". National Hockey League. November 3, 2008. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
  2. "Youngest Sauer skates past siblings". The Portland Tribune. December 10, 2004. Retrieved 2009-03-20.
  3. "Rangers Team Report March 25, 2009". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
  4. "Breaking News: Mike Sauer summoned (Update)". Newsday. Archived from the original on 2009-03-27. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  5. "Michael Sauer". ESPN. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  6. "Hartford Wolfpack Hockey Team". American Hockey League. Archived from the original on 2009-03-21. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  7. "Rangers recall Sauer from Hartford". New York Rangers. Archived from the original on 2009-03-27. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
  8. "Zherdev has goal, assist in Rangers' 2-1 win". Associated Press. Retrieved 2009-03-25.
  9. "NY Rangers 6, Buffalo 3". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
  10. "Sauer's 1st NHL goal leads Rangers over Senators". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2010-12-10.
  11. Cerny, J. "Sauer scores his first goal in style". New York Rangers. Retrieved 2010-12-13.
  12. http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-05-28/news/31879741_1_mats-zuccarello-john-tortorella-brandon-dubinsky
  13. http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2013/07/02/rangers-dont-extend-qualifying-offer-to-sauer/


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