Playing career

Early career

In the summer of 1989, Zubrus moved to Kharkiv, Ukraine to train under Ivan Pravilov on the Druzhba-78 squad. He continued to develop his play there until the end of 1995. Like Darius Kasparaitis, Dainius trained with Aleksey Nikiforov.

Professional

Dainius Zubrus was drafted 15th overall in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers from the Caledon Canadians of the Metro Junior A Hockey League. As of the 2006 draft, Zubrus was the highest drafted Tier II Junior "A" player since the Canadian Junior A Hockey League's 1993 inception (since surpassed by Kyle Turris at 2007 NHL Entry Draft). Prior to being traded to Caledon, Zubrus played for the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the Central Junior A Hockey League. He made his NHL debut on October 5, 1996, scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers. In his rookie season, he helped the Flyers reach the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals. The Flyers traded him to the Montreal Canadiens on March 10, 1998 with a pair of draft picks for Mark Recchi. He registered his first career hat-trick on October 14, 2000, against the Chicago Blackhawks, and was traded by the Canadiens to the Washington Capitals along with Trevor Linden for Richard Zednik and Jan Bulis on March 13, 2001.

During the 2004-05 NHL lockout, Zubrus decided to play abroad with Washington Capitals teammate Alexander Semin. He played 42 regular season games for HC Lada Togliatti, tallying 19 points on eight goals and 11 assists. He also appeared in ten playoff games while in the former Russian Superleague (RSL), scoring three goals and one assist.

Zubrus returned to the Capitals the following 2005-06 season and posted a career-high 57 points playing alongside star rookie Alexander Ovechkin. In the 2006-07 season, Zubrus continued his impressive form posting 52 points in 60 games before he was traded to the Buffalo Sabres, along with Timo Helbling, for Jiri Novotny and a first round draft pick on February 27, 2007./g

On July 3, 2007, as a free agent, Zubrus signed a six-year, $20.4 million contract with the New Jersey Devils.

On November 23, 2008, Zubrus had one of the best offensive games in Devils history. Zubrus tied a team record with four goals to help New Jersey win its season-high fourth straight game, 7-3 over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

On July 29, 2015, after 8 seasons with the Devils, he was placed on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating the final year of his contract.

On October 27, 2015, it was announced that Zubrus was invited to Professional Tryout (PTO) with the St. Louis Blues. However, on November 6, 2015, Zubrus was released from his Professional Tryout after Blues decided to sign Martin Havlat to a one-year deal.

On November 16, 2015, Zubrus was invited to a professional tryout by the San Jose Sharks. On November 24, 2015, it was announced that Zubrus signed a contract with the Sharks.

International play

Originally, Zubrus had suited up for the Russian national team during the World Cup of Hockey in 2004. But since then, he has played internationally for Lithuania, most notably in the 2005 World Championships. He had told the press that, "Lithuania needs me more than Russia." Because of the existence of the Soviet Union, players born during its time as a nation were able to choose to play for any of the newly formed countries after the breakup, and even considered representing Ukraine due to his training there. He now plans to represent Lithuania in all of his future international hockey appearances.

Personal life

He is married to Canadian model Nathalie Sanschagrin. They have a son, Thomas and a daughter, Emma.

Zubrus holds dual nationality and is a citizen of Lithuania and the United States.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1995-96	Pembroke Lumber Kings	CJHL		28	19	13	32	73		—	—	—	—	—
1995-96	Caledon Canadians	MTJHL		7	3	7	10	2		17	11	12	23	4
1996-97	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		68	8	13	21	22		19	5	4	9	12
1997-98	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		69	8	25	33	42		5	0	1	1	2
1998-99	Philadelphia Flyers	NHL		63	3	5	8	25		—	—	—	—	—
1998-99	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		17	3	5	8	4		—	—	—	—	—
1999-00	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		73	14	28	42	54		—	—	—	—	—
2000-01	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		49	12	12	24	30		—	—	—	—	—
2000-01	Washington Capitals	NHL		12	1	1	2	7		6	0	0	0	2
2001-02	Washington Capitals	NHL		71	17	26	43	38		—	—	—	—	—
2002-03	Washington Capitals	NHL		63	13	22	35	43		6	2	2	4	4
2003-04	Washington Capitals	NHL		54	12	15	27	38		—	—	—	—	—
2004-05	Lada Togliatti	RSL		42	8	11	19	85		10	3	1	4	22
2005-06	Washington Capitals	NHL		71	23	34	57	84		—	—	—	—	—
2006-07	Washington Capitals	NHL		60	20	32	52	50		—	—	—	—	—
2006-07	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		19	4	4	8	12		15	0	8	8	8
2007-08	New Jersey Devils	NHL		82	13	25	38	38		5	0	1	1	8
2008-09	New Jersey Devils	NHL		82	15	25	40	69		7	0	1	1	10
2009-10	New Jersey Devils	NHL		51	10	17	27	28		5	1	0	1	8
2010-11	New Jersey Devils	NHL		79	13	17	30	53		—	—	—	—	—
2011-12	New Jersey Devils	NHL		82	17	27	44	34		24	3	7	10	18
2012-13	New Jersey Devils	NHL		22	2	7	9	12		—	—	—	—	—
2013-14	New Jersey Devils	NHL		82	13	13	26	46		—	—	—	—	—
2014-15	New Jersey Devils	NHL		74	4	6	10	42		—	—	—	—	—
2015-16	San Jose Sharks	NHL		50	3	4	7	20		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				1293	228	363	591	791		92	11	24	35	72

[ Source: Wikipedia ]