TJ Galiardi

After suffering an ankle injury in his first appearance in his birthplace of Calgary against the Calgary Flames, he returned to play in 70 games placing 6th in rookie scoring with 15 goals and 39 points.

Terry Joseph Galiardi (born April 22, 1988) is a Canadian-born American former professional ice hockey forward.

He most notably played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks, Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets.

Galiardi is the son of Terry and Lori Galiardi.

He has two brothers, Rylan and Daniel.

His mother is a United States citizen and Galiardi holds dual Canadian and U.S. citizenship.

In international competition, Galiardi plays for the United States.

Leading the Avalanche forwards on the penalty kill he posted a team high 4 short-handed points, the most by any Colorado player since Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic in 2000–01.

He graduated from St. Mary's High School, in 2006.

Galiardi played junior hockey with the Calgary Royals of the Alberta Junior Hockey League before he was selected by the Portland Winterhawks in the WHL Bantam Draft in 2006.

Galiardi however opted to play collegiate hockey with Dartmouth College for the 2006–07 season.

He finished the season with 31 points in 33 games for the Big Green, second to fellow Avalanche prospect David Jones.

Galiardi was drafted in the second round, 55th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche.

Galiardi left collegiate hockey to return to the Western Hockey League for the 2007–08 season.

Upon his return the Calgary native had a homecoming of sorts when he was traded by the Winterhawks to the Calgary Hitmen for a 3rd round pick on August 30, 2007.

Galiardi had a successful season with the Hitmen, placing second in the WHL among rookies, with 70 points, then leading the entire WHL in playoff scoring.

On May 13, 2008, Galiardi was signed by the Avalanche to a three-year entry level contract.

He made his professional debut with the Avalanche's affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL at the start of the 2008–09 season.

On March 19, 2009, Galiardi received his first NHL recall.

He made his NHL debut with the Avalanche the same day in an 8–1 loss against the Edmonton Oilers.

Galiardi scored his first NHL goal on March 27, against Roberto Luongo of the Vancouver Canucks despite the team losing 4–1.

In the 2009–10 season, Galiardi made Colorado's opening night roster and established himself within the team as a versatile forward.

Due to injury, Galiardi also found a role on the Avalanche top scoring line with Paul Stastny and Chris Stewart and posted a career high four assists in a 5–1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on February 2, 2010.

TJ made his playoff debut and in 6 games posted 2 assists as one of the Avalanche's most notable players in the Western Conference Quarterfinals defeat to the San Jose Sharks.

On July 12, 2011, Galiardi re-signed to a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche.

In the 2011–12 season, Galiardi continued to struggle to recapture his rookie season form and at the trade deadline on February 27, 2012, Galiardi was traded by the Avalanche, along with Daniel Winnik and a seventh-round pick, to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for Jamie McGinn and prospects Mike Connolly, Michael Sgarbossa.

Galiardi struggled to immediately make an impact with the Sharks, demoted as a healthy scratch on occasion while scoring 1 goal in 14 games.

As a restricted free agent at season end, Galiardi initially opted to take the Sharks to salary arbitration before agreeing to a one-year extension on July 9, 2012.

With the 2012 NHL lockout in effect and in order to keep in shape, Galiardi signed his first European contract with German second division club, SC Bietigheim Steelers on October 3, 2012.

Galiardi appeared in 7 games, posting 6 points with Bietigheim before suffering a minor knee injury, which forced a return to North America for rehabilitation.

Upon recovery, he returned to practice with his former WHL junior team, the Calgary Hitmen.

At the conclusion of the lockout and return to health, Galiardi struggled initially as a healthy scratch for the Sharks before securing a regular role on the team by the playoffs, to finish with 14 points in 36 games.

During the 2013 Playoffs, Galiardi played on the team's top line alongside Brent Burns and Joe Thornton.

On May 26, 2013, Galiardi scored his first career playoff goal, a game-winner against the Los Angeles Kings, as the Sharks went on to win 2–1.

With Galiardi again a restricted free agent, the Sharks decided to shop his rights around the league.

On July 2, 2013, he opted to be traded to his hometown team, the Calgary Flames, for a fourth round draft pick in the 2015 entry draft.

The Flames announced immediately that they signed Galiardi to a one-year deal worth $1.25 million.

In the 2013–14 season, Galiardi failed to make the impact intended with the Flames.

In 62 games he produced 4 goals and 13 assists, and was a healthy scratch a dozen times on the rebuilding Flames.

He was not tendered a qualifying offer to remain with the Flames and was released to free agency.