Paul Albers

Paul Albers (born October 15, 1985) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Houston Aeros.

Playing career Albers played major junior in the Western Hockey League (WHL) for five seasons with the Calgary Hitmen, Regina Pats, and Vancouver Giants. As an overaged player with the Giants in 2005–06, Albers recorded a major junior career high 17 goals, 45 assists, and 62 points. He was named to the WHL West First All-Star Team, along with teammate Dustin Slade, and earned a nomination for the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as the league's top defenceman (awarded to Kris Russell of the Medicine Hat Tigers). His +39 plus/minus was a league high and earned him the WHL Plus-Minus Award. Albers added 19 points in 18 postseason games, helping lead the Giants to a President's Cup as WHL champions. Playing in the subsequent 2006 Memorial Cup in Moncton, he was named to the Tournament All-Star Team with teammate Gilbert Brulé.

Undrafted by a National Hockey League (NHL) club, Albers signed an entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild and turned pro in the ECHL with the Texas Wildcatters in 2006–07. He recorded 43 points as a rookie and moved up to the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Houston Aeros the next season. On July 31, 2009, he left the United States and signed for German club Nürnberg Ice Tigers.

Albers spent six seasons of his professional career abroad, the last three with SG Cortina in the Italian Serie A before retiring after the 2014–15 season.

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2001–02 Calgary Hitmen WHL 54 1 5 6 32 7 0 0 0 6 2002–03 Calgary Hitmen WHL 72 4 20 24 51 5 0 0 0 0 2003–04 Calgary Hitmen WHL 8 0 1 1 6 — — — — — 2003–04 Regina Pats WHL 54 5 18 23 30 4 0 0 0 2 2004–05 Regina Pats WHL 23 0 4 4 6 — — — — — 2004–05 Vancouver Giants WHL 48 4 19 23 42 6 2 3 5 0 2005–06 Vancouver Giants WHL 70 17 45 62 33 18 3 16 19 8 2006–07 Texas Wildcatters ECHL 68 12 31 43 32 9 1 5 6 8 2006–07 Houston Aeros AHL 5 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 2007–08 Houston Aeros AHL 69 5 16 21 26 4 0 0 0 0 2008–09 Houston Aeros AHL 73 4 7 11 52 12 0 1 1 2 2009–10 Thomas Sabo Ice Tigers DEL 49 3 10 13 24 5 0 0 0 4 2010–11 Krefeld Pinguine DEL 46 0 12 12 50 8 0 2 2 6 2011–12 Tohoku Free Blades AL 36 10 21 31 54 — — — — — 2012–13 SG Cortina ITL 43 7 18 25 10 12 5 3 8 2 2013–14 SG Cortina ITL 42 7 22 29 4 10 0 4 4 4 2014–15 SG Cortina ITL 40 7 30 37 24 — — — — — AHL totals 147 9 23 32 80 16 0 1 1 2

Awards Named to the WHL West First All-Star Team in 2006 Won the WHL Plus-Minus Award in 2006 Won a President's Cup as WHL champions with the Vancouver Giants in 2006 Named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team in 2006