Derek Meech

Derek Meech (* April 21, 1984 in Winnipeg, Manitoba ) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defender who has a contract with HC Dinamo Minsk in the Kontinental Hockey League since July 2013.

Career

Derek Meech began his career during the 1999/2000 season with the Red Deer Rebels in the Canadian Junior Football League WHL, where he was five times used. As of the 2000 /01 season he belonged to the tribe of the Rebels squad. Meech played his role as a defender very defensive and only came on two goals and nine assists in 60 games, although the season was crowned with success. After the Rebels were able to win the playoffs the WHL, they also won the Canadian Junior Championship at the Memorial Cup.

In his second year, Meech was able to boost and also put more offensive accents. At the end of the season, in which the Rebels failed only in the finale of the WHL playoffs, he had with the best 35 plus / minus value of the team and was a few months later by the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL Entry Draft 2002 seventh in the round selected at position 229. But he remained for the time being with the Red Deer Rebels.

In the season 2002/ 03 Meech was able to repeat his performance from the previous season and the team again reached the finals of the playoffs, but he missed several games of the finals due to a broken jaw. On the side of Dion Phaneuf he played during the 2003/ 04 season in a defensive line and led the Rebels to as team captain. He played his best year and scored 38 points in 62 games. In addition, he showed with four goals and seven assists in the playoffs his class, but this time they failed in the semifinals. In the course of the season he was appointed to the Canadian U20 National Team and participated in the Junior World Championships where he won the silver medal.

In the summer of 2004 he moved to the pros and got a place in the squad of the Grand Rapids Griffins, the farm team of the Detroit Red Wings in the AHL. Meech had a difficult start to his first pro season, but then was able to establish himself in the team. After an average second year, he finally belonged in the season 2006/ 07 to the fixed sizes in the team and was first appointed in December 2006 in the NHL squad of the Red Wings, where he came to four inserts. His good performances also earned him participate in the AHL All- Star Classic in January 2007. At the end of the season he was with Jonathan Ericsson, who also scored 29 points, top scoring defender at the Grand Rapids Griffins.

In August 2007, Meech was awarded a three - year contract with the Detroit Red Wings and was able to recommend a month later in training camp for a spot in the NHL squad. However, he was only used occasionally, when one of the six root defender was injured or needed a break. In March 2008, had Meech also occasionally play in attack, as several strikers were injured and finished the season finally, from a total of 32 missions. In the playoffs, as the Red Wings won the Stanley Cup, he was no longer used. Since he had not completed enough games to keep his name is engraved on the Stanley Cup, the Red Wings claimed an exemption, which was eventually endorsed.

July 1, 2011 Meech signed a contract with the Winnipeg Jets. Only two games after beginning of the season he was injured, however, and fell for most of the season 2011/ 12. Only in the play-offs he gave for the St. John's IceCaps, the farm team of the Jets, his comeback in the AHL.

In July 2013, the defenders of HC Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League for one year was signed.

Derek Meech is considered as a defender with good all-round skills that can be used both on the powerplay and shorthanded situations, but he belongs with 1.80 meters Height of the smaller players at his position.

Awards and achievements

  • 2001 President's Cup win with the Red Deer Rebels
  • 2001 Memorial Cup win with the Red Deer Rebels
  • 2004 WHL East Second All-Star Team
  • 2004 Silver medal at the U20 World Junior Championships
  • 2008 Stanley Cup win with the Detroit Red Wings
  • 2013 AHL All- Star Classic

Career Stats

Internationally

Represented Canada at:

  • U20 Junior World Championship 2004
2002 NHL Entry Draft Western Hockey League Plus/Minus Canada men's national ice hockey team 2004 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships Farmteam 2006–07 AHL season 2011–12 NHL season Ed Chynoweth Cup 2013–14 KHL season Lars Haugen Kevin Lalande Geoff Platt
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