18th year veteran German-born defenseman Christian Ehrhoff(10) was given a tryout agreement to join Boston Bruins‘ training camp after a good showing with team Europe in the 2016 World Cup Of Hockey that got them interested, as they were/are still looking.
Unfortunately the sides didn’t meet and he was released but that didn’t stop him as he quickly signed with Kolner Haie to head home to where it all started with 9 games in 1999/2000.
He actually played three full seasons in DEL for Krefeld Pinguine and was San Jose Sharks‘ 4th round pick in the 2001 draft (#106 overall) at the conclusion of his rookie season.
The 6’2″ 205 lbs. started his North American pro career with 41 games in the big league getting his first NHL goal but also played 27 games with farm team Cleveland Barons.
In his sophomore campaign, he spent the full ride in the minors before making the opening night roster in 2005/2006 and not looking back.
He would spend the 6 years with the team he was selected by before a trade prior to 2009/2010 sent him to Vancouver Canucks for a pair of campaigns.
It would be his next contract that maybe baffled some outsiders, a lucrative 10-year $40 million contract with Buffalo Sabres.
After his third season with them though, the 7-time 20+ assists (30+ on 3 occasions) d-man would be bought out of the remaining time of his contract.
In 2014/2015 he signed with Pittsburgh Penguins, then split time with Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks last year.
The 34-year old blue liner with 789 games (74-266-340) and +48 rating may have seen his last time on the ice this side of the pond but will continue to make just under $1 million until 2021, when his buyout finishes.
What a career! And it’s still going.