Sean Zimmerman

Sean Zimmerman (born May 24, 1987) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He most recently played for the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL. Born in Denver, Colorado Zimmerman represented the United States at the 2007 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships helping Team USA win a Bronze medal.

Personal life Zimmerman grew up in Littleton, Colorado. Him and his sister, Michelle Zimmerman began playing Ice Hockey in 1995, right after the Colorado Avalanche moved from Quebec to Denver. Zimmerman and his sister played competitive youth hockey in Denver until their parents sent them to Canada for more opportunity.

Zimmerman and his sister moved to Langley, British Columbia in 2000 to attend Delphi Academy, where they could focus on training and school simultaneously. In 2001, Delphi moved to Gold River, British Columbia and turned into Westpointe Collegiate Academy. After the school folded, Zimmerman moved to Spokane, Washington to play Junior B for the Spokane Braves. Zimmerman's younger sister, Michelle, moved to Lake Placid, New York to attend National Sports Academy. She then went on to play Division I hockey for St. Lawrence University on a full ride athletic scholarship.

After playing a few seasons with the Spokane Braves, Zimmerman was drafted to the Spokane Chiefs in the WHL draft.

Playing career Zimmerman played Major junior with the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He played four season with Spokane registering 10 goals and 59 points to go with 165 PIMs in 270 games. He is brother of Washington nationals player Ryan Zimmerman He was drafted in 2005 by the New Jersey Devils in the sixth round (170th overall). After seeing time in the Devils farm system he was traded in September 2008 from New Jersey to the Phoenix Coyotes. New Jersey received Kevin Cormier in exchange for Zimmerman. In the minors he split time between Phoenix's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the San Antonio Rampage and their Central Hockey League (CHL) affiliate the Arizona Sundogs. Zimmerman recorded 2 goals and 5 points in 56 games with the two clubs. He again participated in Coyotes training camp the following season, but was once again sent to the minors. He played in 72 games during the year for the Rampage and improved his point total to 9 and added a +13 rating (up from a combined -10 the season before).

During the off season Zimmerman re-signed with the Canucks organization. However, Vancouver traded him shortly into the season to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Nathan Paetsch. Just two months later on December 9, 2010, Florida traded him and a conditional 7th round pick to the Boston Bruins for Jeff LoVecchio and Jordan Knackstedt. On February 27, 2011, Zimmerman was on the move again for the third time in the season when he was dealt by the Bruins along with Brian McGrattan to the Anaheim Ducks for David Laliberte and Stefan Chaput.

On September 13, 2012, Zimmerman returned to his native state, signing as a free agent with the Denver Cutthroats of the CHL. He played with the team through the 2013–14 season. However, in August 2014, he became a free agent when the team suspended operations, effective immediately.

On September 8, 2014, the Colorado Eagles announced that they had signed Zimmerman.

After helping guide the Eagles as Captain to their first Kelly Cup in his third season with the club in 2016–17, Zimmerman left his home state as a free agent to sign a one-year deal with the Orlando Solar Bears on August 8, 2017.

International play

In 2007 Zimmerman represented the United States at the World Junior Championships. Team USA defeated Finland in the opening round of the play-offs 6–3, but lost to Canada in their next game 2–1. They rebounded in the bronze medal game to defeat host Sweden 2–1 giving Zimmerman his first and only international medal.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs

International Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM 2007 United States WJC 7 0 0 0 6 Junior totals 7 0 0 0 6 All statistics taken from NHL.com