Jeff Norton, an American defenseman, embarked on his professional hockey journey after being drafted by the New York Islanders in the third round of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft. Before joining the NHL, Norton honed his skills at the University of Michigan, where he played college hockey and developed a reputation for his offensive capabilities from the blue line.
Norton's NHL career began with the Islanders, where he quickly established himself as a reliable defenseman. Known for his skating ability and offensive instincts, he contributed significantly to the team's defensive and offensive plays. During his tenure with the Islanders, Norton was part of the squad that reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs multiple times, providing valuable experience and stability to the team's defensive corps.
In 1993, Norton was traded to the San Jose Sharks, where he continued to demonstrate his offensive prowess. His time with the Sharks was marked by his ability to contribute to the team's power play and his knack for generating scoring opportunities from the back end. Norton's performance with the Sharks solidified his reputation as a defenseman who could effectively transition the puck and support the offensive play.
Norton's career saw him move through several teams, including the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Each stop in his career showcased his adaptability and ability to integrate into different team dynamics. While with the Blues and Oilers, Norton continued to be a valuable asset on the power play, using his vision and passing skills to set up scoring chances.
In the latter part of his career, Norton joined the Tampa Bay Lightning and later the Florida Panthers, where he continued to provide veteran leadership and experience. His time with the Panthers included a memorable playoff run, where his experience and steady play were instrumental in the team's performance.
Norton's final NHL stint was with the Boston Bruins, where he played a limited number of games before retiring from professional hockey. Over his career, Norton played in over 700 NHL games, amassing a respectable number of goals and assists for a defenseman. His ability to contribute offensively while maintaining his defensive responsibilities made him a valuable player throughout his career.
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