An Ice Hockey Wiki article.

Position	Defenceman
Shoots	Right
Height Weight	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 212 lb (96 kg)
NHL Team F. Teams	Florida Panthers Washington Capitals Philadelphia Flyers Tampa Bay Lightning
Nationality	Canadian
Born	October 31 1983 (1983-10-31) (age 26), Woodbridge, ON, CAN
NHL Draft	12th overall, 2002 Washington Capitals
Pro Career	2003 – present

Steve Eminger (born October 31, 1983 in Woodbridge, Ontario) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He plays defence for the Florida Panthers in the NHL.

Playing career

Eminger, who is also known for his physical play, started his hockey career with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League in 1999. He was drafted in the first round, 12th overall by the Washington Capitals at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut the next season, but after 17 games in Washington he was sent back down to Kitchener. This proved to be a blessing in disguise, however, as Kitchener was strengthened by Eminger's return, and they won the Memorial Cup as the best team in Canadian junior hockey.

Since leaving junior hockey, Eminger has split his time between the Capitals and their AHL affiliate, the Portland Pirates. Despite the lofty projections that came with his first round pick status, Eminger has failed to live up to expectations. Throughout the 2007–08 NHL season, the final season of his contract, Eminger spent a great deal of time as a healthy scratch. However, during the 2008 playoffs the Capitals were decimated by injuries and Eminger was put into the lineup with a larger role. During these playoffs, Eminger suddenly found his niche and proved himself to be a solid defenceman. During the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Eminger, along with the 84th overall pick (Jacob Deserres) were traded to the Philadelphia Flyers for the 27th pick overall (John Carlson).

On June 29, 2008, Eminger and the Flyers came to terms on a one-year contract. After only 12 games with the Flyers, Eminger was traded to Tampa Bay on November 7, 2008 along with Steve Downie and a 4th round draft pick for Matt Carle and a 3rd round draft pick.

On March 4, 2009, on the day of the trade deadline, Tampa Bay traded Eminger to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Noah Welch and a 3rd round draft pick.

Career statistics

International play

Played for Canada in:

• 2003 World Junior Championships (silver medal)

International statistics

External links

• Steve Eminger's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
• Steve Eminger's biography at Legends of Hockey