Devin Setoguchi
Taber Alberta 49° 53' 22.32" N, 112° 2' 55.71" W Sports and Athletics Hockey Sports Person
Devin Charlie Kenichi Setoguchi (born January 1, 1987 in Taber, Alberta) is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). Known by the nicknames The Gooch,and Seto, Setoguchi is Half-Yonsei (fourth-generation Japanese Canadian). He was drafted by the Sharks in the first round, eighth overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.
Playing Career:[edit]
Setoguchi played 1 season with the now-defunct Crowsnest Pass Timberwolves of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). He then spent three seasons with the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League (WHL). In the 2005–06 season, he finished seventh in the league in scoring with 83 points. In the 2006–07 season, he joined the Prince George Cougars.
Setoguchi was expected to begin the 2007–08 season in the NHL with the San Jose Sharks. He was injured, however, and placed on the injured reserve. He started off the season with the Worcester Sharks, San Jose's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate located in Worcester, Massachusetts. There he played two games before getting called back up to San Jose. Setoguchi scored his first two regular-season NHL goals on October 29, 2007, in his first NHL game, playing against the Dallas Stars. He became the first Sharks rookie ever to score two goals in his first NHL game.
On December 28, 2007, Setoguchi was sent back down to Worcester. On January 18, 2008, the Sharks recalled Setoguchi back up to San Jose. The following day, San Jose lost to the Detroit Red Wings 6–3, in which Setoguchi scored a power play goal.
On January 25, 2008, Setoguchi was sent back down to Worcester to get additional playing time during the NHL All-Star break, then recalled back to San Jose on January 28, 2008.
On April 15, 2008, Setoguchi appeared in his first NHL playoff game, where he assisted on the game-tying goal in the third period. The Sharks went on to score one more goal to win that game.
During the 2008–09 season, Setoguchi spent most of his ice-time with teammates Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau on San Jose's first line.
On April 25, 2009, in the fifth game of the first round of the playoffs, Setoguchi scored his first playoff goal in the second period, helping the Sharks to a 3-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks.
On February 19, 2011, Setoguchi scored his first ever NHL Hat-trick in a 4-0 win against the Colorado Avalanche.
On April 19, 2011, Setoguchi scored the game winner in overtime against the Los Angeles Kings to make the 1st round playoff series 2-1
On May 4, 2011 Setoguchi completed a hat trick in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semi-finals against the Detroit Red Wings by scoring an OT goal to give the Sharks a 3-0 lead in the series.
During the 2011 NHL Entry Draft Setoguchi, along with Charlie Coyle and a first round pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, was traded to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for Brent Burns and second round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Setoguchi was a bit sad to leave the Sharks because he said "it was my dream to play for this team, and I'll sure miss playing here. Thank you for everything." This trade happened only a day after Setoguchi signed a 3-year contract extension with the Sharks.
On Dec 3, 2011, Setoguchi helped the Wild top the NHL standings, however as of the 2011-2012 All Star Break, the Wild currently sit in 8th position in the West. Setoguchi has been asked to contribute to a team that in the past has lacked scoring. He has consistently played on the top line with Mikko Koivu and Dany Heatley, however the team as of the 2011-2012 All Star Break is second last in goals scored only ahead of the Los Angeles Kings. Setoguchi has scored 10 goals and has 8 assists as of February 3, 2012.