Mark Friedman

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Mark Friedman
Mark Friedman.jpg
Friedman with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2018
Born (1995-12-25) December 25, 1995 (age 26)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Right
NHL team
Former teams		 Pittsburgh Penguins
Philadelphia Flyers
NHL Draft 86th overall, 2014
Philadelphia Flyers
Playing career 2017–present

Mark Isaac Friedman[1] (born December 25, 1995) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the 3rd round the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, the 86th overall pick of the draft. Prior to turning professional, Friedman played for the Bowling Green Falcons for three seasons where he was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team and First Team All-WCHA.

Early life[]

Mark Isaac Friedman was born on December 25, 1995, in Toronto, Ontario, to parents Jeff and Joanne.[2] He was born into an athletic family: both his father and his uncle Bram were ice hockey players in their youths, and they had been coached by Friedman's paternal grandfather and namesake.[3] As an adolescent, Friedman played minor ice hockey for the Don Mills Flyers of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL), and in 2010, he helped the team capture the Kraft Cup as the regular-season GTHL champions. That season, the Don Mills Flyers allowed only 47 goals, the fewest of all 12 GTHL teams, and led the league in scoring with 126 goals of their own.[4]

Playing career[]

Junior[]

Friedman's junior ice hockey career began when he was called up from the Don Mills Flyers to the North York Rangers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL), but he did not play a full season with the team until 2011–12.[5] In 50 games with the Rangers, Friedman recorded nine goals and 18 assists for a total of 27 points.[6] He led North York in defensive scoring during the 2011–12 season,[7] and was named to the OJHL's 2012 All-Prospect Second Team.[5] In an additional four playoff games for the Rangers, Friedman added one goal and three assists.[7]

Friedman played for the Waterloo Blackhawks of the USHL in 2012–14.[8] In 2014, he was named USHL Second All-Star Team.[9]

He was selected in the 3rd round the 2014 NHL Entry Draft by the Philadelphia Flyers, the 86th overall pick of the draft.[10]

NCAA[]

Prior to turning professional, Friedman played for the Bowling Green Falcons for three seasons on a full hockey scholarship.[11][12] At the conclusion of his freshman year, Friedman was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team and the Falcons' co-Rookie of the Year.[1] Following his successful freshman campaign, Friedman was invited to the Flyers prospect and development camp before the 2015–16 season.[12] In his sophomore season, Friedman was named to the First Team All-WCHA.[13]

Professional[]

Philadelphia Flyers[]

Friedman signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers on March 21, 2017. He was reassigned to their American Hockey League affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.[14]

He made his NHL debut on April 6, 2019, vs. the Carolina Hurricanes.[15] On this date Friedman became the second Jewish player in Flyers history.[16]

In July 2020, Friedman and the Flyers agreed to a two-year, one-way contract extension, with an average annual value of $725,000.[17] Remaining on the Flyers roster for the pandemic delayed 2020–21 season, Friedman made 4 appearances from the blueline before he was placed on waivers on February 23, 2021. On the following day, Friedman was claimed by Flyers' division rival, the Pittsburgh Penguins, under the influence of the newly hired and former Flyers general manager, Ron Hextall.

Pittsburgh Penguins[]

On February 24, 2021, Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ron Hextall announced that they had claimed Friedman off of waivers.[18] He scored his first NHL goal against his former team in an eventual 4–3 loss and left the game early after a hit from Nolan Patrick.[19] Since joining the Penguins, Friedman has been vocal in his preference of Pittsburgh over Philadelphia, calling Philadelphia noisy and dirty.[20]

Personal life[]

Friedman was born in Toronto, Ontario, to parents Jeff and Joanne.[1][21] Friedman is Jewish.[22][23] His hometown is Toronto.[1] His paternal grandfather, Mark Friedman (for whom he was named), played golf for the University of Miami.[8][11]

Career statistics[]

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2012–13 Waterloo Black Hawks USHL 64 8 27 35 44 5 2 3 5 2
2013–14 Waterloo Black Hawks USHL 51 10 30 40 30 12 0 7 7 4
2014–15 Bowling Green State University WCHA 39 2 17 19 75 — — — — —
2015–16 Bowling Green State University WCHA 42 6 17 23 40 — — — — —
2016–17 Bowling Green State University WCHA 40 8 18 26 28 — — — — —
2016–17 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 1 0 1 1 0 — — — — —
2017–18 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 65 2 14 16 18 13 2 0 2 8
2018–19 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 75 5 21 26 68 — — — — —
2018–19 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 1 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
2019–20 Lehigh Valley Phantoms AHL 45 3 15 18 30 — — — — —
2019–20 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 6 0 1 1 2 — — — — —
2020–21 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 4 0 0 0 4 — — — — —
2020–21 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 5 2 1 3 5 — — — — —
NHL totals 16 2 2 4 11 — — — — —

Awards and honors[]

Award Year
College
WCHA All-Rookie Team 2014–15 [24]
All-WCHA First Team 2015–16 [25]
All-WCHA Third Team 2016–17 [26]

See also[]

  • List of select Jewish ice hockey players

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d "Mark Friedman". bgsufalcons.com. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  2. ^ "Mark Friedman – Ice Hockey". BGSU Falcons. Bowling Green State University Athletics. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  3. ^ Minuk, Susan (August 26, 2014). "Toronto teen taken by Flyers in NHL draft". The Canadian Jewish News. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  4. ^ "Team of the week: Don Mills Flyers". Toronto Star. February 11, 2010. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Ex-OJHLer Friedman Nets First NHL Goal for Pittsburgh". Ontario Junior Hockey League. March 7, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  6. ^ "OHA grads score first NHL goals last night". Ontario Hockey Association. March 5, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Ice Hockey Signs Three To National Letters Of Intent". BGSU Falcons. Bowling Green State University Athletics. November 26, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "Mark Friedman – Ice Hockey". Bowling Green State University Athletics.
  9. ^ "Mark Friedman Stats and News". NHL.com.
  10. ^ "Mark Friedman – Elite Prospects". Eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
  11. ^ a b Minuk, Susan (August 26, 2014). "Toronto teen taken by Flyers in NHL draft".
  12. ^ a b Riday, Tim (July 16, 2015). "On crowded defense, Mark Friedman not feeling any pressure". nbcsports.com. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  13. ^ Gordon, Kevin (March 10, 2016). "Friedman, Nell named to All-WCHA first-team; Walker, Cooper also honored". bgsuhockey.com. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  14. ^ "Flyers Sign D Mark Friedman to Entry-Level Contract". phantomshockey.com. March 21, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  15. ^ Hall, Jordan (April 5, 2019). "Flyers call up Mark Friedman for 2018–19 regular season finale". NBC Sports Philadelphia. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
  16. ^ Meltzer, Bill (April 6, 2019). "Bill Meltzer on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  17. ^ Quigley, Ryan (July 13, 2020). "Flyers sign Mark Friedman to two-year contract extension". Broad Street Hockey.
  18. ^ "Penguins claim defenseman Mark Friedman off waivers from Philadelphia". Pittsburgh Penguins. February 24, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  19. ^ "Flyers overcame early 3-goal deficit to stun Penguins 4-3". FOX Sports. Associated Press. March 5, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  20. ^ Tabachnick, Toby (25 March 2021). "Penguin Mark Friedman happy to be on right side of cross-state rivalry". jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 29 October 2021.
  21. ^ Isaac, Dave. "Late call-up adds Mark Friedman to mix for Flyers' future defense". Courier-Post.
  22. ^ Minuk, Susan (August 26, 2014). "TORONTO TEEN TAKEN BY FLYERS IN NHL DRAFT". Canadian Jewish News. Retrieved October 2, 2018.
  23. ^ @BGFalconHockey (May 4, 2015). "Congratulations to Mark Friedman on being named an All-American by the Jewish Sports Report!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  24. ^ "Awards – NCAA (WCHA) Rookie All-Star Team". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 2018-11-15.
  25. ^ "Awards – NCAA (WCHA) First All-Star Team". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 2018-11-15.
  26. ^ "Awards – NCAA (WCHA) Third All-Star Team". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 2018-11-15.

External links[]

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