Charlie Stephens

Charles Stephens ( born April 5, 1981 in London, Ontario ) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a center at the Cologne Sharks of the German Ice Hockey League since 2011.

Career

Already in his youth was Stephens as a great talent, not a few voices certified him a career in the North American professional league NHL, which is considered the best in the world. In fact, the Center, who was on the ice for several teams in the Canadian Junior Football League Ontario Hockey League between 1997 and 2002 was selected in the second round of the NHL Entry Draft in 1999 by the Washington Capitals. After the capital club Stephens but not signed her, he was drafted again in the NHL Entry Draft in 2001, this time from Colorado Avalanche, where he completed a total of eight NHL games. Usually, however, the right-handed shooter came to the farm team in the AHL Hershey Bears used and finally in 2004 moved within the AHL with the Binghamton Senators, an official partner of the Ottawa Senators. Here Stephens remained for three seasons and made in the 2005/06 season with 67 points in 80 games his personal points record in the AHL on.

2006, Stephens decided for a change to Germany after in recent years, many players had recommended a commitment in Europe for the NHL. Already in his first appearances for the DEG Metro Stars of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga he knew playful to convince, but collected too many penalty minutes, including some Game Misconduct. As Stephens, who had never noticed in North America as unfair players, stressed in numerous interviews, fell in the transition from extremely body-hugging game of the North American leagues to the DEL difficult, often it had been designed in North America than normal force actions as violations of the rules. The Canadians, however, quickly succeeded disciplined and act to reduce the number of its penalties, but suffered from his goal tally. However, after a period of 21 games, the attacker met regularly and often scored game-winning hit. Its responsive services meant that his temporary until the end of the season contract was extended for two more years and thus to the end of season 2008 /09.

In the 2007 /08 season, however, Stephens fell far short of the expectations of the sports management and the environment, so that club and players finally agreed on a contract. For the season 2008/ 09, the Canadian was then obliged by the Krefeld Penguins, where his contract has now been extended to 2011. After the 2010/11 season Stephens joined the Cologne Sharks. In January 2013 his contract was prematurely extended until 2014.

Awards and achievements

Career Stats

( Key to Career statistics: Sp or GP = Games Played, T or G = goals scored, V or A = achieved assists; Pts or Pts = scored points scorer, SM or PIM = received penalty minutes, / - = Plus / Minus balance sheet; PP = scored majority gates; SH = scored shorthanded goals, GW = achieved victory gates; Play-downs/Relegation 1 )