Playing career

Holzinger was drafted in the sixth round, 124th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. He played High School Hockey at Padua Franciscan High School in Parma, Ohio and four years of college hockey at Bowling Green State University, and was the recipient of the Hobey Baker Award for top men's collegiate hockey player during his senior season. He made his National Hockey League debut with the Sabres during the 1994-95 season, appearing in four regular season games and four playoff games (scoring two goals during the Sabres' playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers). After four and a half seasons with the Sabres, he was traded at the trade deadline of the 1999-2000 season (along with Cory Sarich and Wayne Primeau) to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Chris Gratton and a second-round draft pick.

In his first full season with the Lightning in 2000-01, Holzinger posted 36 points in 70 games. The following 2001-02 season, Brian was hampered by a shoulder injury that limited him to only 23 games. A broken leg suffered just prior to the 2002-03 season ensured Holzinger was again on the sidelines for the first half of the year. After being nursed back to health by wife Jenna, Holzinger was traded at the trade deadline, this time to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Marc Bergevin. In the 2003-04 season, once again at the trade deadline, the Penguins traded Holzinger to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for Lasse Pirjetä.

In his NHL career, Holzinger appeared in 547 regular season games. He scored 93 goals and added 145 assists. In 52 Stanley Cup playoff games, he scored 11 goals and 18 assists.

Career statistics

				Regular Season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1991-92	Bowling Green State U.	CCHA		30	14	8	22	36		—	—	—	—	—
1992-93	Bowling Green State U.	CCHA		41	31	26	57	44		—	—	—	—	—
1993-94	Bowling Green State U.	CCHA		38	22	15	37	24		—	—	—	—	—
1994-95	Bowling Green State U.	CCHA		38	35	34	69	42		—	—	—	—	—
1994-95	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		4	0	3	3	0		4	2	1	3	2
1995-96	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		58	10	10	20	37		—	—	—	—	—
1995-96	Rochester Americans	AHL		17	10	11	21	14		19	10	14	24	10
1996-97	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		81	22	29	51	54		12	2	5	7	8
1997-98	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		69	14	21	35	36		15	4	7	11	18
1998-99	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		81	17	17	34	45		21	3	5	8	33
1999-00	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		59	7	17	24	30		—	—	—	—	—
1999-00	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		14	3	3	6	21		—	—	—	—	—
2000-01	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		70	11	25	36	64		—	—	—	—	—
2001-02	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		23	1	2	3	4		—	—	—	—	—
2002-03	Tampa Bay Lightning	NHL		5	0	1	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2002-03	Springfield Falcons	AHL		28	6	20	26	16		—	—	—	—	—
2002-03	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		9	1	2	3	6		—	—	—	—	—
2003-04	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL		61	6	15	21	38		—	—	—	—	—
2003-04	Columbus Blue Jackets	NHL		13	1	0	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				547	93	145	238	339		52	11	18	29	61

Awards and honours

Award	Year
All-CCHA Second Team	1992-93
All-CCHA First Team	1994-95
AHCA West First-Team All-American	1994-95
NCAA Hobey Baker Award	1994-95
Calder Cup Rochester Americans	1995-96

[ Source: Wikipedia ]