Jeff Tambellini

He went on to be selected in the first round, 27th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings.

Returning to Michigan following his draft, his offensive production declined to 27 points over 39 games.

The Wolverines returned to the CCHA finals, but were defeated by the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Jeff Tambellini (born April 13, 1984) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger and current Director of Player Development for the Seattle Kraken of the NHL.

Tambellini played one season in the third-tier Pacific International Junior Hockey League (PIJHL) with the Port Coquitlam Buckaroos in 1999–2000.

He scored 31 goals and 64 points over 41 games, earning PIJHL First Team All-Star and Rookie of the Year honours.

The following season, he joined the Junior A ranks with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), recording 51 points over 54 games in his rookie season.

In 2001–02, he improved to 117 points (46 goals and 71 points), receiving the Brett Hull Trophy as the league's leading scorer along with Matt Ellison of the Cowichan Valley Capitals, who also scored 117 points.

He was further distinguished with the Verne Dye Memorial Trophy as the Coastal Conference's most valuable player.

Tambellini went on to help the Chiefs to a Fred Page Cup as league champions, defeating the Vernon Vipers four games to two in the finals.

Advancing to the Doyle Cup, the Chiefs beat the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) champion Drayton Valley Thunder by the same series score to capture the regional title.

Competing for the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) title, Chilliwack lost in the Royal Bank Cup semifinals.

During the tournament, Tambellini was chosen as the CJHL player of the year, beating out Jade Galbraith of the Drayton Valley Thunder and Tim Vokey of the Cornwall Colts.

Tambellini left the Chiefs after two seasons to play college hockey with the Michigan Wolverines of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), where he served as an alternate captain.

After scoring 45 points over 43 games in his freshman year, he received All-Rookie Team, Second All-Star Team and Rookie of the Year honours in the CCHA.

In the playoffs, Tambellini helped the Wolverines to his first of two Mason Cups in his college career as CCHA champions.

In 2002, he joined the college ranks with the Michigan Wolverines of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).

Originally selected 27th overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, he joined the National Hockey League in 2005.

During his rookie season, he was traded to the New York Islanders.

He split his first three professional seasons between the NHL and his clubs' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliates, the Manchester Monarchs (Los Angeles) and Bridgeport Sound Tigers (New York).

Over three seasons, he won two Mason Cups with Michigan as CCHA champions, while earning several individual honours, including league rookie of the year in 2003 and playoff MVP in 2005.

Going into the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, he was ranked 21st among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau.

Scouts listed him as a superior skater and defensively responsible with leadership qualities.

Internationally, he competed for Canada's under-20 team at the 2004 World Junior Championships, earning a silver medal.

Returning to form in 2004–05, Tambellini notched 24 goals and 57 points over 42 games, earning CCHA First All-Star Team honours.

He led the Wolverines to a second Mason Cup championship in three years and was chosen as the CCHA Tournament MVP.

Competing in the NCAA tournament, Tambellini was named to the NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament and NCAA West Second All-Star Teams.

On August 15, 2005, Tambellini signed an entry-level contract with the Kings, foregoing his senior year with Michigan.

In late-September, he was assigned to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manchester Monarchs, following his training camp with Los Angeles.

Two months into the season, Tambellini was called up to the Kings, making his NHL debut on November 30, 2005, against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The Kings lost the game 3–2, while Tambellini earned nine minutes of ice time.

After four pointless NHL games, he was sent back down to Manchester.

He left Manchester with 25 goals and 56 points in 56 games, which finished the 2005–06 AHL season ranked as the third-best points-per-game rate among league rookies.

On March 8, 2006, Tambellini was traded by the Kings, along with defenceman Denis Grebeshkov, to the New York Islanders, in exchange for forward Mark Parrish and defenceman Brent Sopel.

Upon being dealt, he was called up from the AHL and played the remainder of the season with New York.

Playing in his third game with the Islanders, he scored his first NHL goal against Martin Brodeur in a 6–1 win against the New Jersey Devils on March 14, 2006.

He finished the campaign with a goal and four points in 21 games with New York.

As the Islanders failed to qualify for the playoffs, they assigned Tambellini to their AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, for their Calder Cup playoffs.

In July 2010, Tambellini signed with the Vancouver Canucks and spent a season with the organization.

During his junior career, Tambellini earned MVP honours in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), while also leading the Chilliwack Chiefs to a Fred Page Cup as league champions and a Doyle Cup as Pacific regional champions.