Derek Meech

Derek Meech
File:Derek Meech2.jpg
Position	Defence and left wing
Shoots	Left
Height Weight	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 197 lb (90 kg)
NHL Team F. Teams	Winnipeg Jets Detroit Red Wings
Born	(1984-04-21)April 21, 1984, Winnipeg, MB, CAN
NHL Draft	229nd overall, 2002 Detroit Red Wings
Pro Career	2006 – present

Derek Meech (born April 21, 1984) is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman and winger for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League.

Playing career

Meech played his junior hockey for the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League. There, he teamed with future NHL star Dion Phaneuf as the team's top defensive pairing. On June 23, 2002, he was drafted 229th overall in the 7th round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Meech made his NHL debut on December 7, 2006 at Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan against the St. Louis Blues. He played in 4 NHL games during the 2006–07 NHL season. While playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, Meech was named an All Star after posting 6 goals, and 23 assists (29 points) in 67 games.

Meech was named to the Red Wings final roster during training camp prior to the 2007–08 NHL season. He would have been exposed to waivers had he been sent to the minor leagues, which factored into the team's decision.

In 2008, Meech was named "Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year" by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters' Association for his play in the 2007–08 season. Based on the system the Red Wings employ, Meech has sometimes been used as a left winger. His versatility to play both forward and defenseman has led to extra playing time.

Despite not playing the minimum 40 games (Meech only played 32) and not a minute in the playoffs, Meech had his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, due to a successful petition to the NHL by the Detroit Red Wings organization.

Meech scored his first career NHL goal with the Detroit Red Wings on December 4, 2008 against Curtis Sanford of the Vancouver Canucks.

On September 8, 2010, Meech was placed on waivers by the Red Wings. Unclaimed, Meech was assigned to the Griffins for the duration of the 2010–11 season.

Meech signed a two-way contract with the Winnipeg Jets on July 1, 2011.

Career statistics

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1999–00	Red Deer Rebels	WHL		5	1	0	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Red Deer Rebels	WHL		60	2	7	9	40		22	0	0	0	9
2001–02	Red Deer Rebels	WHL		71	8	19	27	33		13	1	1	2	6
2002–03	Red Deer Rebels	WHL		65	6	16	22	53		12	1	1	2	12
2003–04	Red Deer Rebels	WHL		62	10	28	38	40		19	4	7	11	10
2004–05	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL		78	6	8	14	40		—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL		79	4	16	20	85		16	0	2	2	4
2006–07	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL		67	6	23	29	40		7	0	1	1	4
2006–07	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		4	0	0	0	2		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL		6	1	1	2	0		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		32	0	3	3	6		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		41	2	5	7	12		2	0	0	0	0
2009–10	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		49	2	4	6	19		—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL		74	10	27	37	81		—	—	—	—	—
NHL totals				126	4	12	16	39		2	0	0	0	0

External links

• Derek Meech's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database