Western Conference Hottie: Shea Weber (Nashville Predators)

IMPORTANT HOCKEY STUFF: On September 10, 2004, Weber signed a three-year, $1.425–million contract with his draft team, the Nashville Predators. A year and a half later, Weber made his NHL debut on January 6, 2006 versus the Detroit Red Wings, recording three shots on goal in 11:08 of icetime. Three months later, on April 6, 2006, Weber scored his first NHL goal against Reinhard Divis of the St. Louis Blues in a 3–0 Nashville victory. Weber would go on to play in 28 games in his rookie season, finishing with two goals and ten assists. He then added an addition two goals in four playoff games with the Predators before the team was eliminated in the first round by the San Jose Sharks. With Nashville's AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, still in playoff action, Weber was reassigned to the Admirals roster for the remainder of the AHL playoffs. There he compiled six goals and five assists in fourteen games as the Admirals nearly clinched the Calder Cup, losing to the Hershey Bears in six games in the Calder Cup Finals. In his sophomore season, Weber evolved into one of Nashville's most important players. At the midway point of the season, Weber had already compiled 26 points. His play was rewarded on January 14, 2007 when he was named to the Western Conference roster for the 2007 NHL YoungStars Game in Dallas, Texas. Weber went on to finish the season with forty points, finishing eighth on the Predators roster in total points. Weber added an additional three assists in five playoff games before the Predators were eliminated by the San Jose Sharks for the second consecutive season. Weber's third season with the Predators began with a rash of injuries. After playing only 2:19 of the first period in Nashville's season opening game versus the Colorado Avalanche, Weber fell awkwardly and dislocated his kneecap. As a result, Weber missed the next six weeks of games before returning to the Nashville lineup versus the St. Louis Blues on November 17, 2007. Shortly thereafter, Weber suffered another injury, this time injuring his leg and missing eleven games before he returned to the Predators lineup for a January 15, 2008 game versus the Calgary Flames. On June 23, 2008, Weber signed a three-year, $13.5 million contract extension with the Predators.

REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF: Weber was born on August 14, 1985 in Sicamous, British Columbia to parents Tracy, a hairdresser, and James Weber, a sawmill worker. (A blue collar guy) Growing up in the Sicamous and District Minor Hockey Association of the BCAHA, Weber often switched between forward and defenceman. (woo hoo, he's multi-talented, and I for one can't help but speculate on his other "talents"...) He credits his father for convincing him to make the switch to defence because he thought Weber would "have a better shot at a pro career as a defenceman". (He was quite right.) Shea has a younger brother named Brandon who also plays hockey. (always a delicious thought...) At 6'4 and 235, he's a solid chunk of a man, enough to stimulate, the um... thoughts?.... of any woman.

Oh yea, and he's one of those Gold Medal winning team Canada guys. I mean, do you even believe this goal was real?

oh, and the mouth-guard is pretty nice too.