Deryk Engelland

Deryk Engelland (born April 3, 1982) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenseman. Engelland played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames and Vegas Golden Knights over his eleven-season career in the National Hockey League (NHL). Throughout his career, Engelland was best known for his physical play and fighting abilities.

Engelland was selected in the sixth round, 194th pick overall, by the New Jersey Devils at the 2000 NHL entry draft. He made his NHL debut with the Penguins in 2009 after six years in the minor leagues.

Playing career Early career Engelland played five seasons of junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for the Moose Jaw Warriors. He appeared in two games in 1998–99 before establishing a place as a regular defenceman for the team in the following four seasons where he peaked at 17 points in 2001–02 and 199 penalty minutes in 2002–03. The New Jersey Devils selected Engelland in the sixth round, 194th overall at the 2000 NHL entry draft, but never played with the team. He turned professional in 2003–04 and split that season between the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL and the Lowell Lock Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Returning to Las Vegas, Engelland played the entire 2004–05 season in the ECHL where he scored 5 goals, added 16 assists and recorded 138 penalty minutes. He again played all 80 games for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in 2008–09. After more than six years in the minor leagues, the 27-year-old Engelland made his NHL debut on November 10, 2009, against the Boston Bruins. During the season, the Penguins signed Engelland to a three-year contract extension through the 2013–14 season and which paid him an average of $566,700 per season.

On December 20, 2011, Engelland delivered a hit to the head of Chicago Blackhawks forward Marcus Krüger, who suffered a concussion as a result, resulting in a three game suspension for Engelland. He ended the 2011–12 playing in 73 games for Pittsburgh and improved to 4 goals and 13 assists for 17 points. He played 15 games for Rosenborg where he recorded 9 points before returning to Pittsburgh when the NHL resumed operation. In 42 games with the Penguins, Engelland had 6 assists. Though a regular in the Penguins line-up, Engelland was typically used in limited role.

Calgary Flames (2014–2017) Engelland opted to leave the Penguins following the season and signed a three-year, $8.7 million contract with the Calgary Flames, where he hoped to earn expanded responsibilities with the rebuilding team. The contract was for $2.9 million per season, a five-fold increase over his previous salary which was criticized as being among the worst value contracts signed during the 2014 free agency period.

However at the start of 2017 Engelland was made alternate captain of the Flames during the absence of Troy Brouwer, who was on injured reserve with a broken finger.

Vegas Golden Knights (2017–2020) As an impending free agent following the 2016–17 season, his third season with the Flames, Engelland was left exposed at the 2017 NHL expansion draft. Engelland, a resident of Las Vegas, was selected by the Vegas Golden Knights on June 21, 2017. Engelland immediately signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Golden Knights, marking his return to professional hockey in the city. On January 15, 2018, the Golden Knights signed Engelland to a one-year, $1.5 million extension through the 2018–19 season. On April 23, 2018, Engelland was nominated by the Knights for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy as a player who best exemplifies leadership qualities and gives back to his community although he would not be named a top three finalist by the league. The following day, Engelland was also named a finalist for the Mark Messier Leadership Award, which he won on June 20.

On July 23, 2019, the Golden Knights re-signed Engelland to a one-year, $700,000 contract extension.

As an original member of the Golden Knights for three seasons, Engelland announced his retirement from professional hockey after 11 NHL seasons on December 22, 2020. He remained with the Golden Knights, transitioning to the club's Foundation and serving as the Special Assistant to the Owner.

Personal life Engelland was born April 3, 1982, in Edmonton, Alberta. He met his wife Melissa while playing in the minors in Las Vegas, Since his retirement, Engelland has been a part of the Golden Knights’ television broadcast team, providing analysis during pregame, intermission, and postgame shows.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1998–99 Sicamous Eagles KIJHL 51 6 21 27 90 — — — — — 1998–99 Moose Jaw Warriors WHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1999–00 Moose Jaw Warriors WHL 55 0 5 5 62 4 0 0 0 0 2000–01 Moose Jaw Warriors WHL 65 4 11 15 157 4 0 0 0 10 2001–02 Moose Jaw Warriors WHL 56 7 10 17 102 12 0 2 2 27 2002–03 Moose Jaw Warriors WHL 65 3 8 11 199 13 1 1 2 20 2003–04 Las Vegas Wranglers ECHL 35 2 11 13 63 2 0 0 0 0 2003–04 Lowell Lock Monsters AHL 26 0 0 0 34 — — — — — 2004–05 Las Vegas Wranglers ECHL 72 5 16 21 138 — — — — — 2005–06 South Carolina Stingrays ECHL 35 3 13 16 20 — — — — — 2005–06 Hershey Bears AHL 37 0 4 4 77 1 0 0 0 0 2006–07 Hershey Bears AHL 44 4 6 10 95 14 0 0 0 14 2006–07 Reading Royals ECHL 6 0 3 3 8 — — — — — 2007–08 Wilkes–Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 80 2 15 17 141 23 1 3 4 14 2008–09 Wilkes–Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 80 3 11 14 143 12 0 2 2 6 2009–10 Wilkes–Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 71 5 6 11 121 4 0 1 1 7 2009–10 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 9 0 2 2 17 — — — — — 2010–11 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 63 3 7 10 123 — — — — — 2011–12 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 73 4 13 17 56 6 0 1 1 14 2012–13 Rosenborg IHK NOR 15 1 8 9 43 — — — — — 2012–13 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 42 0 6 6 54 7 0 0 0 8 2013–14 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 56 6 6 12 58 — — — — — 2014–15 Calgary Flames NHL 76 2 9 11 53 11 0 1 1 50 2015–16 Calgary Flames NHL 69 3 9 12 54 — — — — — 2016–17 Calgary Flames NHL 81 4 12 16 85 4 0 0 0 2 2017–18 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 79 5 18 23 24 20 0 2 2 26 2018–19 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 74 2 10 12 18 7 0 1 1 8 2019–20 Vegas Golden Knights NHL 49 1 5 6 37 — — — — — NHL totals 671 30 97 127 579 55 0 5 5 108 AHL totals 338 14 42 56 611 54 1 6 7 41

Awards and honours Award Year AHL Calder Cup (Hershey Bears) 2006 NHL Mark Messier Leadership Award 2018