Jarod Palmer

Jarod James Palmer (born February 10, 1986) is an American former professional ice hockey forward who played with the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League. He is a native of Fridley, Minnesota, and an alum of the USNTDP, where he played for two seasons. Palmer was a member of the silver medal-winning U.S. squad at the World Under-18 Championship in 2004. After graduating from high school, he spent two seasons in the USHL with the Tri-City Storm. Palmer then completed four years of collegiate hockey at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He made his NHL debut with the Wild on December 17, 2011.

Playing career

Prep/Junior Palmer played for two seasons at Fridley High School, beginning as an eighth grader. He spent his sophomore campaign at Spring Lake Park High School, where he teamed with future St. Louis Blues captain, David Backes. Subsequently, Palmer was selected to the U.S. National Team Development Program, and played for two seasons, appearing in 108 games. His greatest individual honor as a prep came in the 2004 World Championship semi-final game versus Czech Republic, where Palmer won player of the game honors. Later, his team went on to win the silver medal at the World Under-18 Championship in Belarus.

After two years with the USNTDP, Palmer joined the Tri-City Storm from 2004–2006 and appeared in 110 games. In his first year with the Storm, Palmer recorded 41 points on 15 goals and 26 assists. In his second year, he finished with 53 points, scoring 15 goals and 37 assists. He holds the team record for fastest goal to start a game, scoring 9 seconds in. He was named captain of the Storm for the 2005-06 season.

College Palmer was recruited to play for Miami University. He suited up for the Redhawks from 2006–2010 and appeared in all 169 games during his career, setting the school record. He competed in the 2009 NCAA National Championship game as a junior. He made his NHL debut for his hometown Wild on December 17, 2011, versus the New York Islanders. He recorded 6 shots on goal and finished with an even plus/minus rating. His first NHL goal occurred on Thursday December 29, 2011 against Nikolai Khabibulin of the Edmonton Oilers; time of the goal was 10:02 of the second period. Later in the same game, Palmer suffered a concussion which effectively ended his season with the Wild.

Palmer re-signed with the Wild as a restricted free agent to a one-year contract for the 2012–13 season. He was reassigned to Houston and was limited to only 17 games, producing 8 points, throughout the season due to lingering injury.

Following the season, Palmer opted to retire from professional hockey and on July 25, 2013, was announced as the inaugural head coach of the Sugar Land Imperials of the major junior NA3HL.

Personal life Born in Fridley, Minnesota. As an eighth grader, played varsity hockey for Fridley High School alongside his older sister and older brother. Graduated with honors from Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan while playing for the USNTDP. In 2010, Palmer completed an interdisciplinary business degree in Entrepreneurship, graduating with honors from the Farmer School of Business at Miami University. Palmer married in the summer of 2011, and resides in Minnesota. He is the youngest son of coach Jeff and Charlene Palmer.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2002–03 U.S. National Under-18 Team NAHL 33 3 7 10 39 — — — — — 2003–04 U.S. National Under-18 Team NAHL 54 8 11 19 37 — — — — — 2004–05 Tri-City Storm USHL 52 15 26 41 67 9 1 0 1 14 2005–06 Tri-City Storm USHL 58 15 37 52 91 5 1 1 2 9 2006–07 Miami Redhawks CCHA 42 11 19 30 26 — — — — — 2007–08 Miami Redhawks CCHA 42 10 25 35 32 — — — — — 2008–09 Miami Redhawks CCHA 41 8 19 27 34 — — — — — 2009–10 Miami Redhawks CCHA 44 18 27 45 40 — — — — — 2010–11 Houston Aeros AHL 65 9 19 28 64 24 3 2 5 7 2011–12 Houston Aeros AHL 35 5 6 11 27 — — — — — 2011–12 Minnesota Wild NHL 6 1 0 1 4 — — — — — 2012–13 Houston Aeros AHL 17 2 6 8 26 — — — — — 2015–16 Allen Americans ECHL 3 0 0 0 2 — — — — — NHL totals 6 1 0 1 4 — — — — —

International Year Team Comp GP G A Pts PIM 2004 United States WJC18 6 1 1 2 0 Junior int'l totals 6 1 1 2 0

Awards and achievements Award Year All-CCHA First Team 2009-10