Trent McCleary

Trent Kenneth McCleary (born September 8, 1972) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played for the Ottawa Senators, Boston Bruins, and Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). His career was ended in 2000 after he took a slapshot to the throat, an injury that required life-saving surgery moments after the incident. He played 192 games, scoring 8 goals and 23 points.

Playing career Early career A native of Swift Current, Saskatchewan, McCleary played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with his hometown Swift Current Broncos beginning in 1988. He played a total of four seasons with the Broncos, winning the WHL championship and Memorial Cup with the team in 1988–89 though he played only three games with the team. He was a defensive forward in the WHL, but scored 50 points in his final year in helping the Broncos win a second championship. He added a goal in four games at the 1993 Memorial Cup.

The Ottawa Senators signed McCleary as an undrafted free agent upon his graduation, and he spent the majority of the 1993–94 season with the Thunder Bay Senators of the Colonial Hockey League (CoHL).

He made his NHL debut in Ottawa in 1995–96, scoring 14 points in 75 games. The Senators traded McCleary, along with a draft pick, to the Boston Bruins for Shawn McEachern following the season.

His rights ultimately released by the Bruins, McCleary signed with the Montreal Canadiens as a free agent in 1998, appearing in 46 NHL games in 1998–99. He recovered, splitting the early part of the season between the Canadiens and the Quebec Citadelles of the AHL. The shot fractured McCleary's larynx and resulted in a collapsed lung. He regained the ability to talk after six weeks and several surgeries.

McCleary attempted a comeback at the start of the 2000–01 season. Despite doubts he would be capable of returning, the Canadiens signed him to a one-year, US$300,000 contract. He appeared in an exhibition game with the Canadiens, but found he was unable to play a full shift without running short of breath. He was examined by his doctor, who noted that because his air passage was left 15% narrower than before his injury, it was too dangerous for him to continue playing. As a result, on September 20, 2000, McCleary announced his retirement, calling it the "toughest day" in his seven-year career. The Canadiens kept him in the organization, naming him a WHL scout. He and his wife Tammy have three children.

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1988–89 Swift Current Broncos WHL 3 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1989–90 Swift Current Broncos WHL 70 3 15 18 43 4 1 0 1 0 1990–91 Swift Current Broncos WHL 70 16 24 40 53 3 0 0 0 2 1991–92 Swift Current Broncos WHL 72 23 22 45 240 8 1 2 3 16 1992–93 Swift Current Broncos WHL 63 17 33 50 138 17 5 4 9 16 1992–93 New Haven Senators AHL 2 1 0 1 6 — — — — — 1993–94 Prince Edward Island Senators AHL 4 0 0 0 6 — — — — — 1993–94 Thunder Bay Senators CoHL 51 23 17 40 123 9 2 11 13 15 1994–95 Prince Edward Island Senators AHL 51 9 20 29 60 9 2 3 5 26 1995–96 Ottawa Senators NHL 75 4 10 14 68 — — — — — 1996–97 Boston Bruins NHL 59 3 5 8 33 — — — — — 1997–98 Las Vegas Thunder IHL 54 7 6 13 120 3 1 0 1 2 1997–98 Detroit Vipers IHL 21 1 1 2 45 — — — — — 1998–99 Montreal Canadiens NHL 46 0 0 0 29 — — — — — 1999–00 Montreal Canadiens NHL 12 1 0 1 4 — — — — — 1999–00 Quebec Citadelles AHL 27 7 9 16 56 — — — — — NHL totals 192 8 15 23 134 — — — — —