Brad Norton

Bradley Norton (born February 13, 1975) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. Norton played for five seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career Norton started his professional career with the Detroit Vipers in the IHL in 1997. He was drafted in the 1993 NHL entry draft as the Edmonton Oilers' ninth-round pick, #215 overall. He has played a total of 124 NHL games with the Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Washington Capitals, Ottawa Senators and the Detroit Red Wings.

Norton signed with Jokerit in the Finnish SM-liiga. On December 15, 2006, he abruptly left the team to play in North America by invoking an NHL release clause in his contract. The Senators signed Norton to a one-year two-way deal on March 7, 2006. He gained viral video fame that year when his 16 April non-fight with Montreal Canadiens enforcer Aaron Downey. The two squared off with fists raised for forty seconds before being escorted to the penalty box without having thrown a punch or made contact in any way.

On June 23, 2006, Norton was signed by the Detroit Red Wings. He started the 2006–07 season, with the Red Wings, but injury struck and he was assigned to affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, upon recovery.

Norton signed a one-year contract with the San Jose Sharks on July 18, 2007. Norton did not play a game with the Sharks as a back injury caused him to miss the season.

Personal life He is the younger brother of former NHLer Jeff Norton, and is married to Playboy Radio afternoon advice show host Tiffany Granath. Norton was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, attended Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, but grew up in Acton, Massachusetts.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1994–95 UMass-Amherst HE 30 0 6 6 89 — — — — — 1995–96 UMass-Amherst HE 34 4 12 16 99 — — — — — 1996–97 UMass-Amherst HE 35 2 16 18 88 — — — — — 1997–98 UMass-Amherst HE 20 2 13 15 28 — — — — — 1997–98 Detroit Vipers IHL 33 1 4 5 56 22 0 2 2 87 1998–99 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 58 1 8 9 134 11 0 1 1 6 1999–00 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 40 5 12 17 104 10 1 4 5 26 2000–01 Hamilton Bulldogs AHL 46 3 15 18 114 — — — — — 2001–02 Hershey Bears AHL 40 0 10 10 62 2 0 0 0 6 2001–02 Florida Panthers NHL 22 0 2 2 45 — — — — — 2002–03 Los Angeles Kings NHL 53 3 3 6 97 — — — — — 2003–04 Los Angeles Kings NHL 20 0 1 1 77 — — — — — 2003–04 Washington Capitals NHL 16 0 1 1 17 — — — — — 2005–06 Jokerit SM-l 20 2 2 4 91 — — — — — 2005–06 Binghamton Senators AHL 36 0 4 4 102 — — — — — 2005–06 Ottawa Senators NHL 7 0 0 0 31 — — — — — 2006–07 Detroit Red Wings NHL 6 0 1 1 20 — — — — — 2006–07 Grand Rapids Griffins AHL 43 1 4 5 102 7 1 2 3 24 NHL totals 124 3 8 11 287 — — — — —

Awards and honours Award Year AHL All-Star Game 2000