Tom Kostopoulos

Thomas George Kostopoulos (Greek: Θωμάς Κωστόπουλος; born January 24, 1979) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He most notably played in the National Hockey League (NHL) before playing his career with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 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 2017–18 season was his 19th year as a professional hockey player.

Tom Kostopoulos
Born	January 24, 1979 Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	204 lb (93 kg; 14 st 8 lb)
Position	Right Wing
Shot	Right
Played for	Pittsburgh Penguins Los Angeles Kings Montreal Canadiens Carolina Hurricanes Calgary Flames New Jersey Devils
NHL Draft	204th overall, 1999 Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career	1999–2018

Playing career

In his early years, Kostopoulos graduated from Fairwind Senior Public School in 1993. As a youth, he played in the 1993 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the Toronto Red Wings minor ice hockey team.[1] After playing much of his minor hockey in the GTHL with the Toronto Marlboros and Mississauga Reps, Kostopoulos played one 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 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.[2] On July 3, 2007 he signed a free-agent contract with the Montreal Canadiens.[3]

On January 22, 2008, he recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick in an 8–2 victory against the Boston Bruins.[4]

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 also forfeited US-$33,000 in pay.[5] 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."[6] 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.[7]

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.[8]

On January 23, 2013, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL announced Kostopoulos had signed with the team on a Professional Try Out.[9] On March 5, 2013, the Pittsburgh Penguins signed Kostopoulos to a one-year two-way contract[10] but was claimed off waivers by the New Jersey Devils the following day.[11]

On September 3, 2013, Kostopoulos signed a one-year AHL contract to continue to play with and lead the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.[12]

Coaching career

On April 4, 2018, Kostopoulos announced he planned on retiring at the conclusion of the 2017–18 season, his 19th professional year.[13] After retiring, he joined the Penguins organization as a player development coach.[14]

Personal life

Kostopoulos was born in Mississauga, Ontario, on January 24, 1979.[15] He names his brother Chris, a coach in Texas, as his biggest influence in hockey. Kostopoulos has three nephews, Cameron, Tyler, and Josh who live in Texas with his brother Chris.[16] Kostopoulos also has one half sister, Laurie Bodley. They spend their offseasons in Oakville, Ontario.[16]

Kostopoulos and his wife Lisa have two children together.[17][18]

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.[19] Kostopoulos is involved with the Canadian Cancer Society as well as Garth Brooks' Teammates For Kids Foundation.[16]

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1995–96	Brampton Capitals	OPJHL		24	9	9	18	28		—	—	—	—	—
1996–97	London Knights	OHL		64	13	12	25	67		—	—	—	—	—
1997–98	London Knights	OHL		66	24	26	50	108		16	6	4	10	26
1998–99	London Knights	OHL		66	27	60	87	114		25	19	16	35	32
1999–00	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		76	26	32	58	121		—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		80	16	36	52	120		21	3	9	12	6
2001–02	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		11	1	2	3	9		—	—	—	—	—
2001–02	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		70	27	26	53	112		—	—	—	—	—
2002–03	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		71	21	42	63	131		6	1	2	3	7
2002–03	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		8	0	1	1	0		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		21	7	13	20	43		24	7	16	23	3
2003–04	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		60	9	13	22	67		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Manchester Monarchs	AHL		64	25	46	71	99		6	0	7	7	10
2005–06	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		76	8	14	22	100		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		76	7	15	22	73		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		67	7	6	13	113		12	3	1	4	6
2008–09	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		78	8	14	22	106		4	0	1	1	4
2009–10	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		82	8	13	21	106		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		17	1	3	4	30		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Calgary Flames	NHL		59	7	7	14	44		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Calgary Flames	NHL		81	4	8	12	57		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		17	3	4	7	43		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	New Jersey Devils	NHL		15	1	0	1	18		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		71	22	25	47	72		17	4	6	10	20
2014–15	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		72	16	28	44	62		8	3	2	5	12
2015–16	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		75	19	33	52	97		10	5	7	12	4
2016–17	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		74	24	30	54	49		5	0	2	2	4
2017–18	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins	AHL		31	5	14	19	31		3	0	0	0	6
AHL totals				722	211	329	540	980		100	23	51	74	101
NHL totals				630	61	96	157	723		16	3	2	5	10

References

1. "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
2. Bresnahan, Mike (July 10, 2004). "Kings Sign Visnovsky to a Four-Year Contract". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
3. "Habs sign Kostopoulos to two-year deal". NHL.com. July 4, 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
4. "Kostopoulos by numbers". NHL.com. May 22, 2008. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
5. "Canadiens forward Tom Kostopoulos suspended three games by NHL". NHL.com. Toronto. November 10, 2008. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
6. "NHL suspends Canadiens' Kostopoulos for hit on Van Ryn". The Sports Network.ca. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
7. Zwolinski, Mark (November 8, 2008). "Van Ryn hit puts more heat on NHL". The Toronto Star. Retrieved November 10, 2008.
8. Brehm, Mike (January 10, 2011). "Kostopoulos will sit six games for hit that broke Stuart's jaw". USA Today. Retrieved January 12, 2011.
9. "Tom Kostopoulos signs PTO with Penguins". Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. January 23, 2013. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2013.
10. "Penguins sign Tom Kostopoulos to one-year deal". Pittsburgh Penguins. March 5, 2013. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
11. Anderson, Shelly (March 6, 2013). "No reunion: Kostopoulos claimed from Penguins by New Jersey". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
12. "Wilkes-Barre/Scranton sign Kostopoulos to AHL deal". Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. September 3, 2013. Archived from the original on September 6, 2013. Retrieved September 3, 2013.
13. Coe, Brian (April 4, 2018). "TOM KOSTOPOULOS TO RETIRE FOLLOWING 2017-18 SEASON". wbspenguins.com. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
14. Werner, Sam (July 3, 2018). "Tom Kostopoulos is still teaching young Penguins. But now he's doing it as a coach". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
15. "Tom Kostopoulos player profile". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
16. Sundheim, Mark; Hanlin, Kyle, eds. (2010). 2010–11 Carolina Hurricanes Media Guide. Carolina Hurricanes Hockey Club. p. 36.
17. Stubbs, Dave (January 18, 2011). ""Tough watching your team play," Tom Kostopoulos says". Montreal Gazette. Archived from the original on January 19, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
18. Hart, Nick (May 8, 2017). "KOSTOPOULOS HAS BLESSING FROM BOTH FAMILIES FOR RETURN". wbspenguins.com. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
19. "Greek community honours past and celebrates its future". Montreal Gazette. March 31, 2008. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2011.

External links

• Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or Legends of Hockey, or The Internet Hockey Database