Shea Weber
Shea Weber (born August 14, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), primarily with the Nashville Predators and Montreal Canadiens.[1] Known for his blistering slapshot—often clocked over 100 mph—and physical, two-way defensive play, Weber captained both teams, earning the 2016 Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award for his exemplary on- and off-ice contributions.[2] Over his career, he recorded 589 points (224 goals, 365 assists) in 1,038 regular-season games and added 42 points in 97 playoff contests, while representing Canada internationally with four gold medals, including at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics.[3] Weber was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2024 in his first year of eligibility, recognizing his impact as one of the premier defencemen of his era.[2] Born in Sicamous, British Columbia, Weber developed his game in local minor hockey before joining the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he helped win the 2004 Memorial Cup championship.[3] Selected 49th overall in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft by the Predators, he made his league debut in the 2005–06 season and quickly emerged as a cornerstone player, earning his first NHL All-Star selection in 2009 and becoming a perennial contender for the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the league's top defenceman.[1] Named Predators captain in 2010, Weber led the team to the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, where they fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.[2] In a blockbuster 2016 trade that sent P.K. Subban to Nashville, Weber joined the Canadiens, where he continued his elite production despite injury challenges, including multiple surgeries on his ankles and thumb.[2] He assumed the Canadiens captaincy in 2018 and guided them to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final, their first appearance since 1993, before foot injuries sidelined him for the remainder of that series and his final season.[2] His contract was traded multiple times after 2022 and remains with the Chicago Blackhawks as of 2025; Weber has not played since 2021 due to chronic injuries.[1][4]Early years
Early life
Shea Weber was born on August 14, 1985, in Sicamous, British Columbia, a small rural community, to parents James and Tracy Weber. His father worked at a local sawmill, instilling a strong work ethic in his sons, while his mother provided unwavering family support until her death from brain cancer on August 11, 2010. Weber has a younger brother, Brandon, born two years later, who also pursued hockey through local leagues and later played in adult recreational circuits.[2][5][6] Growing up in Sicamous, Weber began playing organized hockey at age six with the Sicamous and District Minor Hockey Association, where smaller team sizes allowed for extensive ice time and skill development. He initially played as a forward but permanently switched to defense during his second year of bantam hockey, a decision influenced by his father's encouragement to leverage his physical attributes on the blue line. This early involvement in the sport was shaped by the tight-knit community, where hockey served as a central activity amid the town's limited amenities.[5][7] Weber's physical development accelerated in his early teens with a notable growth spurt of five inches in one year, transforming him from a 5-foot-9 frame to 6-foot-2 and eventually reaching his adult height of 6 feet 4 inches and 230 pounds. Beyond hockey, he engaged in baseball and other local sports typical of rural British Columbia life, with his parents supporting diverse interests without pressuring a singular athletic path. At age 16, this foundation led to his transition to junior hockey with the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League.[8][2][9]Junior career
Weber joined the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL) after going unselected in the league's Bantam Draft and being added to the team's protected players list.[10] He appeared in five games during the 2001–02 season before establishing himself as a full-time player the following year. In 2002–03, his rookie campaign, Weber registered 2 goals and 16 assists for 18 points in 70 regular-season games, while accumulating 167 penalty minutes. The Rockets captured the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions that spring, with Weber contributing 5 points in 19 playoff contests.[11][12] During the 2003–04 season, Weber elevated his production to 12 goals and 20 assists for 32 points in 60 games. The Rockets, as the host team, advanced to the Memorial Cup where they defeated the Medicine Hat Tigers in overtime in the semifinals before beating the Quebec Remparts 2–1 in the final to claim the national title; Weber was named to the tournament all-star team after posting 1 goal and 3 assists in four games.[11][13][14] As an alternate captain in his overage year of 2004–05, Weber recorded 12 goals and 29 assists for 41 points in 55 regular-season games, helping the Rockets secure the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions for the second time in three seasons. He added 9 goals and 17 points in 18 playoff games en route to the WHL final. Over four WHL seasons, Weber totaled 26 goals and 91 points in 190 regular-season games, along with 388 penalty minutes.[11][14][12] Weber was selected by the Nashville Predators in the second round, 49th overall, of the 2003 NHL Entry Draft following his rookie season, but opted to return to Kelowna for two more years of development. He signed a three-year entry-level contract with Nashville on September 14, 2004, prior to his final junior campaign, paving the way for his professional debut in the 2005–06 season.[11][15]NHL career
Nashville Predators (2005–2016)
Shea Weber signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators on September 10, 2004, valued at $1.425 million.[16] He split his first professional season between the Predators' American Hockey League affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, and the NHL club, appearing in 46 AHL games before making his NHL debut on January 6, 2006.[9] In 28 games with Nashville during the 2005–06 season, Weber recorded 2 goals and 8 assists, establishing himself as a promising defenseman with a powerful shot.[1] Weber's development accelerated in subsequent seasons, culminating in a breakout 2008–09 campaign where he tallied 23 goals and 53 points in 81 games, showcasing his offensive prowess from the blue line.[17] Paired with fellow defenseman Ryan Suter, the duo formed one of the NHL's premier shutdown pairings, combining physicality, mobility, and playmaking to anchor Nashville's defense through multiple playoff runs.[18] The Predators qualified for the postseason five times during Weber's early tenure, including deep Western Conference Semifinal appearances in 2011 and 2012, where Weber contributed significantly with his end-to-end rushes and point production.[1] On July 8, 2010, at age 25, Weber was named the Predators' captain, succeeding Kimmo Timonen and becoming the first draft pick in franchise history to wear the "C."[19] His leadership emphasized accountability and competitiveness, helping stabilize the team amid roster changes. Following a one-year, $7.5 million contract secured through salary arbitration for the 2011–12 season, Weber entered restricted free agency in 2012, prompting the Philadelphia Flyers to extend a 14-year, $110 million offer sheet—the richest in NHL history at the time.[20] Nashville matched the offer on July 24, 2012, committing to Weber long-term and underscoring his value as the organization's cornerstone.[21] Weber reached peak performance in the 2013–14 season, leading all NHL defensemen with 23 goals while logging heavy minutes on a resurgent Predators squad.[22] His blistering slapshot gained further acclaim when he won the NHL All-Star Skills Competition's Hardest Shot event in 2015 with a 108.5 mph blast, the second-fastest ever recorded, marking the first of multiple victories in the category during his Nashville years.[23] Over 763 regular-season games with the Predators from 2005 to 2016, Weber amassed 166 goals and 277 assists, solidifying his legacy as one of the league's elite two-way defensemen.[1]Montreal Canadiens (2016–2022)
On June 29, 2016, the Montreal Canadiens acquired Shea Weber from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defenseman P.K. Subban.[24] Immediately following the trade, Weber signed an eight-year contract extension with Montreal worth $68 million.[25] In his first season with the Canadiens during 2016–17, Weber recorded 17 goals and 25 assists in 78 games, contributing to a strong defensive presence on the blue line.[9] His performance earned him consideration as a finalist for the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman, marking the third such nomination in his career.[26] Weber was named the 30th captain in Montreal Canadiens history on October 1, 2018, succeeding Max Pacioretty.[27] His prior experience as Nashville's captain from 2010 to 2016 helped inform his leadership role with the Canadiens. Weber's tenure in Montreal was significantly impacted by injuries starting in the 2017 playoffs, where he sustained damage that led to ongoing issues.[28] In the opening game of the 2017–18 regular season on October 5, 2017, he blocked a shot and suffered a fractured left foot, which he played through for two months before undergoing surgery in March 2018 to repair damaged tendons.[29] That summer, in July 2018, Weber had arthroscopic surgery to address a meniscal tear in his right knee.[30] Additional setbacks included a thumb injury during the 2020–21 season, which required management but did not prevent playoff participation, and an ankle sprain in February 2020 that sidelined him briefly during the 2019–20 campaign.[31] These injuries limited his availability, including missing the final 56 games of 2017–18 and the first 24 of 2018–19, as well as the entire 2021–22 season due to cumulative effects on his ankle, knee, foot, and thumb.[29] Despite the physical toll, Weber's leadership shone during the Canadiens' unexpected 2021 Stanley Cup playoff run, where he captained the team to the Eastern Conference championship and the Finals against the Tampa Bay Lightning.[32] Playing through multiple injuries—including a torn meniscus in his knee, a fractured ankle, torn thumb tendons, and a subsequent groin tear in the conference finals—Weber logged significant minutes and provided stability on defense, helping guide the underdog squad deep into the postseason.[33] Over his time with Montreal from 2016 to 2022, Weber appeared in 275 regular-season games, tallying 58 goals and 88 assists for 146 points.[1] He played all 48 games in the injury-shortened 2020–21 season before contributing to 22 playoff contests that spring.[1]Contract movements and injuries (2022–present)
In July 2022, the Montreal Canadiens traded defenseman Shea Weber to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for forward Evgenii Dadonov, allowing Montreal to gain immediate salary cap relief from Weber's existing contract while acquiring a playing asset.[34] The move was part of broader cap management for the Canadiens, as Weber had not played since the 2021 Stanley Cup Final due to ongoing injuries.[35] Weber's contract, originally a 14-year, $110 million extension signed with the Nashville Predators in 2012, carried an annual cap hit of $7.857 million through the 2025–26 season, making it a valuable non-playing asset for teams seeking long-term flexibility.[36] On February 22, 2023, the Golden Knights traded Weber and a 2023 fifth-round draft pick to the Arizona Coyotes in exchange for defenseman Dysin Mayo, further distributing the cap burden ahead of the trade deadline.[37] When the Coyotes relocated and rebranded as the Utah Hockey Club on June 13, 2024, Weber's contract transferred with the franchise.[9] The cumulative toll of Weber's injuries—stemming from an ankle fracture in 2017, multiple knee surgeries between 2019 and 2020, and thumb issues that limited him in the 2020–21 season—effectively ended his playing career, with his last game occurring on June 24, 2021, during the Stanley Cup Final.[29][38] Although Weber has not officially retired, medical assessments and team statements indicate a return to the ice is highly unlikely.[31] On March 7, 2025, the Utah Hockey Club traded Weber, along with forward Aku Räty and defenseman Victor Söderström, to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round draft pick, positioning Chicago to manage its cap space through the final year of Weber's deal.[39] As of November 2025, Weber remains listed on the Blackhawks' roster but is inactive due to his long-term injuries, serving solely as a cap asset with no expectation of on-ice participation.[9][40]International career
Junior international play
Weber made his international debut with Canada's national junior team at the 2005 IIHF World Junior Championships in Grand Forks, North Dakota and Thief River Falls, Minnesota, selected following a strong 2004–05 season with the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League where he recorded 16 goals and 24 assists in 58 games.[41][14] Playing as a defenseman, Weber appeared in all six games for Canada, registering no goals or assists but earning a plus-10 rating and 10 penalty minutes while blocking shots and providing physical presence on the blue line.[42] Canada dominated the tournament, outscoring opponents 41–7 en route to a gold medal victory over Russia in the final (3–1), securing the nation's first World Junior title since 1997.[43] Weber's selection marked his first major exposure on the international stage, contributing to a roster loaded with future NHL stars amid the ongoing league lockout, which allowed for an exceptionally talented Canadian squad.[41]Senior international play
Weber made his senior international debut with Team Canada at the 2007 IIHF World Championship in Moscow, Russia, where he recorded 1 goal and 1 assist for 2 points in 6 games, contributing to Canada's gold medal victory.[44][3] He returned at the 2009 IIHF World Championship in Switzerland, where he contributed offensively from the blue line with 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points in 9 games, leading all defensemen in scoring and helping Canada secure a silver medal after a 2–1 gold-medal loss to Russia.[45] His performance earned him recognition as the tournament's best defenseman.[3] At the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Weber played a pivotal defensive role for the host nation, registering 2 goals and 4 assists in 7 games en route to a gold medal, including strong shutdown minutes in the overtime victory against the United States in the final.[41][46] Paired with veterans like Chris Pronger, his physical presence and shot-blocking were instrumental in Canada's undefeated tournament run. Weber returned for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, partnering with Drew Doughty on the top defensive pair and tallying 3 goals and 3 assists in 6 games as Canada defended its title with another gold medal, outscoring opponents 17–3 in the knockout rounds.[47][41] In the 2016 World Cup of Hockey in Toronto, Weber anchored the defense for the eventual champions, appearing in all 5 games without recording a point but providing crucial stability during Canada's 2–0 final win over Team Europe.[48][49] Across these major senior tournaments, Weber amassed 26 points in 33 games while earning three gold medals at the IIHF World Championship and Olympics, plus a World Cup title.[14]Off-ice contributions
Personal life
Weber married his high school sweetheart, Bailey Munro, whom he met while playing junior hockey in Kelowna, in 2013.[50][8] The couple has three children, including a son named Beckett.[51][52] Weber's mother, Tracy, was diagnosed with brain cancer when he was 15 years old; her health deteriorated during his preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics, and she passed away on August 11, 2010, after being placed in an induced coma due to severe seizures.[5][53][50] He has a younger brother, Brandon, who is two years his junior and grew up playing hockey alongside Weber's former Nashville Predators teammate Cody Franson.[5] Weber maintains a longtime residence in Kelowna, British Columbia, where he and his family enjoy a lifestyle connected to his roots in the nearby town of Sicamous.[54][55]Philanthropy and community work
Shea Weber co-founded the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund with Nashville Predators teammate Pekka Rinne during the 2012-13 season to support cancer research and clinical care programs at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in the Nashville area.[56][57] The initiative has raised over four million dollars through fan donations, auctions, and annual Hockey Fights Cancer events since its inception.[58] The fund holds particular personal significance for Weber, who lost his mother to cancer in 2010.[59] In 2019, Weber partnered with fellow Kelowna native and Montreal Canadiens teammate Carey Price to raise funds for local Okanagan charities during the holiday season, including an auction of a signed portrait to benefit organizations supporting families and youth programs.[60][61] Weber has supported broader Hockey Canada and NHL initiatives, including participation in events aligned with the Hockey Canada Foundation's Assist Fund, which subsidizes registration fees for youth players to promote access to the sport.[62] He has also contributed to animal welfare causes through personal interests, such as donating a signed jersey for a raffle benefiting the Shuswap Paws Rescue Society in 2021.[63] Fines incurred during his career, including a $2,500 penalty in 2011 and $5,000 in 2021, were directed to the NHL Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.[64] Following his retirement, Weber has remained active in community engagement, including serving as a coach at the 2024 Kelowna Hockey Fest, where he helped raise $31,682 as of October 2025 for low-income children and at-risk youth through on-ice events and auctions.[65][66][67] In April 2025, Weber was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing his on-ice achievements and off-ice philanthropic contributions.[68] He maintains ties to his hometown of Sicamous by co-hosting the annual Weber-Franson Golf Classic, which supports the BC Cancer Foundation's cancer research and care programs.[69][70] Weber's philanthropic efforts emphasize pediatric cancer support and youth sports accessibility, with personal donations including a $25,000 contribution from the 2019 Jean Béliveau Trophy to a charity of his choice.[71]Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
Shea Weber's NHL regular season career spanned 16 seasons from 2005–06 to 2020–21, during which he played 1,038 games, scored 224 goals (including 106 on the power play and 5 shorthanded), recorded 365 assists for 589 total points, achieved a +79 plus/minus rating, and accumulated 714 penalty minutes.[72] The following table details his regular season performance by season:| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–06 | Nashville Predators | 28 | 2 | 8 | 10 | +8 | 42 |
| 2006–07 | Nashville Predators | 79 | 17 | 23 | 40 | +13 | 60 |
| 2007–08 | Nashville Predators | 54 | 6 | 14 | 20 | -6 | 49 |
| 2008–09 | Nashville Predators | 81 | 23 | 30 | 53 | +1 | 80 |
| 2009–10 | Nashville Predators | 78 | 16 | 27 | 43 | 0 | 36 |
| 2010–11 | Nashville Predators | 82 | 16 | 32 | 48 | +7 | 56 |
| 2011–12 | Nashville Predators | 78 | 19 | 30 | 49 | +21 | 46 |
| 2012–13 | Nashville Predators | 48 | 9 | 19 | 28 | -2 | 48 |
| 2013–14 | Nashville Predators | 79 | 23 | 33 | 56 | -2 | 52 |
| 2014–15 | Nashville Predators | 78 | 15 | 30 | 45 | +15 | 72 |
| 2015–16 | Nashville Predators | 78 | 20 | 31 | 51 | -7 | 27 |
| 2016–17 | Montréal Canadiens | 78 | 17 | 25 | 42 | +20 | 38 |
| 2017–18 | Montréal Canadiens | 26 | 6 | 10 | 16 | -8 | 14 |
| 2018–19 | Montréal Canadiens | 58 | 14 | 19 | 33 | +15 | 28 |
| 2019–20 | Montréal Canadiens | 65 | 15 | 21 | 36 | +8 | 33 |
| 2020–21 | Montréal Canadiens | 48 | 6 | 13 | 19 | -4 | 33 |
| Career | 1,038 | 224 | 365 | 589 | +79 | 714 |
| Playoff Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | +/- | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–06 | Nashville Predators | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -3 | 8 |
| 2006–07 | Nashville Predators | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 2007–08 | Nashville Predators | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 6 |
| 2009–10 | Nashville Predators | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -1 | 4 |
| 2010–11 | Nashville Predators | 12 | 3 | 2 | 5 | +3 | 8 |
| 2011–12 | Nashville Predators | 10 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -1 | 9 |
| 2014–15 | Nashville Predators | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2015–16 | Nashville Predators | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | -7 | 18 |
| 2016–17 | Montréal Canadiens | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | +1 | 5 |
| 2019–20 | Montréal Canadiens | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | +3 | 16 |
| 2020–21 | Montréal Canadiens | 22 | 1 | 5 | 6 | +4 | 28 |
| Career | 97 | 18 | 24 | 42 | -1 | 106 |
International
Shea Weber's international statistics reflect his contributions as a defenseman for Team Canada across junior and senior competitions, where the team secured gold medals in the 2005 World Junior Championship, 2007 IIHF World Championship, 2010 Winter Olympics, 2014 Winter Olympics, and 2016 World Cup of Hockey, along with silver in the 2009 IIHF World Championship.[73][14]Junior International Statistics
| Tournament | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 IIHF World Junior Championship | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Senior International Statistics
| Tournament | GP | G | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 IIHF World Championship | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2009 IIHF World Championship | 9 | 4 | 8 | 12 |
| 2010 Winter Olympics | 7 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 2014 Winter Olympics | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 2016 World Cup of Hockey | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |