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Maxime Talbot

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Maxime Talbot
Talbot with the Boston Bruins in 2015
Born (1984-02-11) February 11, 1984 (age 40)
LeMoyne, Quebec, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 186 lb (84 kg; 13 st 4 lb)
Position Centre
Shot Left
Played for Pittsburgh Penguins
Philadelphia Flyers
Ilves
Colorado Avalanche
Boston Bruins
Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Avangard Omsk
NHL draft 234th overall, 2002
Pittsburgh Penguins
Playing career 2005–2019

Maxime Talbot (born February 11, 1984) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, Colorado Avalanche and Boston Bruins. He was drafted into the NHL out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) by the Pittsburgh Penguins, 234th overall, in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He led the Hull/Gatineau Olympiques to back-to-back President's Cups while earning the Guy Lafleur Trophy as playoff MVP both years.

During the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings, while still playing for Pittsburgh, Talbot scored his team's only two goals in Pittsburgh's 2–1 victory over Detroit in the series-deciding Game 7, securing the Penguins' Stanley Cup championship win.

Talbot finished his career playing three seasons in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl and Avangard Omsk.

Playing career

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Amateur

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Talbot was selected by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)'s Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the first round of the 2000 QMJHL Draft. At the league trade deadline that year, Talbot was traded to the Hull Olympiques in exchange for Alexandre Giroux.[1] Talbot completed his major junior rookie season with a combined 37 points between the two teams.

Before the start of the 2002–03 season, Talbot was named team captain for the Olympiques and finished the year with a major junior career-high 46 goals and 104 points in 69 games, good for fifth in QMJHL scoring and for QMJHL Second All-Star Team honours.[1] In the playoffs that year, he led the league in scoring with 44 points in 20 games as he captained the Olympiques to a QMJHL Championship, also earning the Guy Lafleur Trophy as playoff MVP in the process. Playing the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)'s Kitchener Rangers in the final of the subsequent 2003 Memorial Cup, they were defeated 6–3.

In the 2003–04 season, Talbot finished third in scoring in the QMJHL with 98 points (25 goals and 73 assists) in 51 games as the team became the Gatineau Olympiques through the amalgamation of Hull into the City of Gatineau. He led the team to a second consecutive QMJHL championship while again being named playoff MVP and leading the league in playoff scoring for the second-straight year. He was the first to earn back-to-back Guy Lafleur Trophies since Marc Saumier in 1987 and 1988.[1] However, the Olympiques were defeated for the second-straight year in the Memorial Cup Final, losing 2–1 to the Western Hockey League (WHL)'s Kelowna Rockets.

Pittsburgh Penguins

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Talbot during his final season with the Pittsburgh Penguins in January 2011

As the 2004–05 season approached, Talbot was signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins and was assigned to make his professional debut with the team's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He was assigned to various linemates and was placed in many role playing opportunities.[1] He did not have the offensive power in the AHL, however, that he did in the QMJHL, but nonetheless Talbot showed quality traits in other aspects of the game as he finished his debut season with 19 points (7 goals and 12 assists) in 75 games.[1]

With an impressive training camp, Talbot made the Penguins' opening roster for the 2005–06 season, making his NHL debut against the New Jersey Devils. He scored his first career NHL goal on October 14, 2005, from centre ice against the Philadelphia Flyers. His primary role during his rookie season was that of a penalty killer.[1] He would later be sent down to the AHL after 48 games in the NHL, during which time he recorded eight points (five goals and three assists).

Talbot did not start the 2006–07 season in the NHL but was recalled by Pittsburgh on October 24, 2006, just five games into the AHL season.[2] He would play that same night against New Jersey. Talbot continued to play a key role on the penalty kill, recording four short-handed goals to go with a season total of 24 points (13 goals and 11 assists).

Talbot scored four goals in the first five games of the 2007–08 season. He was the part of an on-ice prank on December 1, 2007, when he briefly donned the jersey of teammate Sidney Crosby during an optional practice that Crosby had chosen to skip. He initially drew a large cheer from the crowd in Toronto before they realized the jersey switch.

In Game 3 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, Talbot scored a backhand goal against Ottawa Senators goaltender Martin Gerber less than five minutes after the Senators had taken the lead in that game. In the Conference Finals against the Philadelphia Flyers, Talbot scored the game-winning goal in the third period of Game 2. He did this in his first game back from a broken foot that had sidelined him for the previous four playoff games. In Game 5 of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings, he scored the tying goal with 35 seconds remaining, allowing the Penguins to score in triple overtime to force a Game 6.

Talbot at the Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup parade on June 15, 2009

Midway through the final year of his initial contract with the Penguins, 2008–09, on December 19, 2008, Talbot signed a new two-year contract with Pittsburgh through to the end of the 2010–11 season. The Penguins returned to the Stanley Cup Finals for the second consecutive year against Detroit. Talbot scored both of the Penguins' goals in the seventh and deciding game of the series to capture Pittsburgh's third Stanley Cup.[3]

For the 2009–10 season, Talbot served as the Penguins' representative to the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA), a position he took over from Matt Cooke.[4]

While playing for the Penguins, Talbot has appeared in numerous television commercials, including Valley Pool and Spa, City of Champions Crunch cereal (which featured Talbot on one side of the box and Pittsburgh Steeler Hines Ward on the other) and three commercials for Pittsburgh A&L Motor Sales (these A&L commercials have earned him the nickname "Superstar"). He also appeared in a Reebok commercial with teammate Sidney Crosby, which aired during the 2010 NHL Winter Classic.

While promoting the 2011 NHL Winter Classic, Talbot called-out Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin during an interview with a Pittsburgh radio station, calling him "a real douche".[5]

Philadelphia Flyers and Colorado Avalanche

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Talbot returns to Pittsburgh as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers, December 2011

After being unable to come to terms with the Penguins on a new contract, Talbot signed a five-year, $8.75 million contract with the Penguins' in-state rival Philadelphia Flyers on July 1, 2011. On December 29, 2011, during a 4–2 Philadelphia victory, Talbot scored an empty net goal in his first game back in Pittsburgh against the Penguins since signing with the Flyers. He would finish his first season in Philadelphia appearing in 81 regular season games, scoring 19 goals and 15 assists for a total of 34 points; all three statistics were NHL career-highs for Talbot. Talbot and the Flyers would ultimately face the Penguins in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2012 playoffs, a series that saw the Flyers defeat the Penguins in six games. Talbot scored four goals during the series, two of which were short-handed.

After the first month of the 2013–14 season with the Flyers, on October 31, 2013, Talbot was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Steve Downie.[6] On December 6, 2013, Talbot scored his first Avalanche goal in a 3–2 win over the Calgary Flames.[7]

Boston Bruins

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With the Avalanche on the outside of the 2015 playoff picture, Talbot was traded at the NHL trade deadline on March 2, 2015, (along with Paul Carey) to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Jordan Caron and a sixth-round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.[8]

On December 21, 2015, the NHL announced that it was suspending Talbot for two games because of a hit on New Jersey Devils forward Jiří Tlustý in a game played the day prior.[9]

Kontinental Hockey League

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At the conclusion of his contract with the Bruins, and as an impending free agent, Talbot opted to continue his playing career abroad in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), agreeing to a one-year deal with Russian club Lokomotiv Yaroslavl on May 27, 2016.[10] Talbot played two seasons with Lokomotiv before leaving as a free agent and signing a one-year contract on August 25, 2018, to remain in the KHL with Avangard Omsk for the 2018–19 season.[11]

International play

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Medal record
Representing Canada Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Silver medal – second place 2004 Canada

Talbot helped Canada win a silver medal as an alternate captain during the 2004 World Junior Championships held in Helsinki.[1]

In 2016, Talbot was a member of Team Canada at the 2016 Deutschland Cup.[12]

Personal life

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Talbot's father, Serge, is a construction worker; his mother Lucie is a high school teacher.[13] Talbot has two older brothers, Will and Frank.[13]

Talbot married Canadian former figure skating champion Cynthia Phaneuf on July 11, 2014.[14][15] The couple have three children.[16]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Maxime Talbot playing for Tampereen Ilves during the 2012 NHL lock-out
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1999–2000 Collège Antoine–Girouard QMAAA 42 19 21 40 32 7 3 6 9 0
2000–01 Rouyn-Noranda Huskies QMJHL 40 9 15 24 78 — — — — —
2000–01 Hull Olympiques QMJHL 24 6 7 13 60 5 1 0 1 2
2001–02 Hull Olympiques QMJHL 65 24 36 60 174 12 4 6 10 51
2002–03 Hull Olympiques QMJHL 69 46 58 104 130 20 14 30 44 33
2003–04 Gatineau Olympiques QMJHL 51 25 73 98 41 15 11 16 27 0
2004–05 Wilkes–Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 75 7 12 19 62 11 0 1 1 22
2005–06 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 48 5 3 8 59 — — — — —
2005–06 Wilkes–Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 42 12 20 32 80 11 3 6 9 16
2006–07 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 75 13 11 24 53 5 0 1 1 7
2006–07 Wilkes–Barre/Scranton Penguins AHL 5 4 0 4 2 — — — — —
2007–08 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 63 12 14 26 53 17 3 6 9 36
2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 75 12 10 22 63 24 8 5 13 19
2009–10 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 45 2 5 7 30 13 2 4 6 11
2010–11 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 82 8 13 21 66 7 1 3 4 14
2011–12 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 81 19 15 34 59 11 4 2 6 10
2012–13 Ilves SM-l 12 3 3 6 34 — — — — —
2012–13 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 35 5 5 10 23 — — — — —
2013–14 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 11 1 1 2 2 — — — — —
2013–14 Colorado Avalanche NHL 70 7 18 25 43 7 0 0 0 4
2014–15 Colorado Avalanche NHL 63 5 10 15 27 — — — — —
2014–15 Boston Bruins NHL 18 0 3 3 2 — — — — —
2015–16 Boston Bruins NHL 38 2 5 7 15 — — — — —
2015–16 Providence Bruins AHL 26 10 11 21 14 3 0 1 1 2
2016–17 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl KHL 60 15 21 36 63 15 5 2 7 17
2017–18 Lokomotiv Yaroslavl KHL 43 8 11 19 65 9 0 1 1 12
2018–19 Avangard Omsk KHL 42 4 6 10 14 5 1 1 2 2
NHL totals 704 91 113 204 495 84 18 21 39 101

International

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Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2001 Canada Quebec U17 5th 5 1 2 3 2
2004 Canada WJC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 0 3 3 2
Junior totals 11 1 5 6 4

Awards and honours

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Awards Year
QMJHL
Second All-Star Team 2003, 2004
Guy Lafleur Trophy 2003, 2004
President's Cup (Hull/Gatineau Olympiques) 2003, 2004
NHL
Stanley Cup (Pittsburgh Penguins) 2009

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Hockey's Future. "Maxime Talbot Player Profile Pittsburgh Penguins". Archived from the original on April 27, 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2007.
  2. ^ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. "Talbot Recalled by Pittsburgh". Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2007.
  3. ^ "Penguins' Talbot cements reputation as big-game player". CBC. June 13, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2009.
  4. ^ Molinari, Dave (December 26, 2009). "Penguins' Talbot acts as go-to guy between teammates, players' association". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  5. ^ "Talbot: Ovechkin 'a real douche' Penguins forward fires verbal assault on Capitals star". Archived from the original on July 16, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ "Avalanche trade Downie back to Flyers for Talbot". The Sports Network. October 31, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2013.
  7. ^ "Avalanche vs Flames". National Hockey League. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
  8. ^ "Bruins announce trade deadline transactions". Boston Bruins. March 2, 2015. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  9. ^ "Bruins Max Talbot suspended two games". Boston Globe. December 21, 2015. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  10. ^ "Max Talbot in Lokomotiv" (in Russian). Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. May 27, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  11. ^ "Avangard complete contracts with Desharnais and Talbot" (in Russian). Avangard Omsk. August 25, 2018. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
  12. ^ "2016 Deutschland Cup Roster 2016". Hockey Canada. Retrieved April 10, 2017.
  13. ^ a b Anderson, Shelly (May 8, 2009). "Talbot is serious in playoff role". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  14. ^ "Cynthia Phaneuf announces retirement from figure skating". National Post. September 26, 2012. Archived from the original on August 20, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  15. ^ "Ex-Flyer Max Talbot enjoying life in Colorado". CSN Philly. December 1, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  16. ^ "Maxime Talbot est papa" [Maxime Talbot is a father]. Agence QMI (in French). Journal de Montreal. February 27, 2014.
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