FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, March 31, 2012

GLENDALE, ARIZONA --- Phoenix Coyotes forward Ray Whitney collected his 1,000th career point (assist) versus the Anaheim Ducks tonight. Whitney is the 79th player in NHL history to record 1,000 NHL points, and the first to accomplish the feat during this season.

Ray Whitney

The Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta native was originally drafted by the San Jose Sharks (second round, 23rd overall) in the 1991 Entry Draft. In 20 NHL seasons with the Sharks, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Carolina Hurricanes and Coyotes, the 39-year-old native of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta has recorded 365-636-1001 in 1,226 regular season games. Whitney has also appeared in 87 Stanley Cup Playoff games, registering 19-27-46. He helped the Carolina Hurricanes capture the Stanley Cup in 2006 with his nine goals and six assists in 24 postseason games.

Whitney currently leads the Coyotes in scoring (24-51-75), is 13th overall in the league in scoring and sixth overall in assists (51). The 20-year veteran has recorded 70-plus points for only the fifth time in his career, while he has collected 50 assists in a season for only the third time. Whitney currently ranks sixth overall among active all-time assist leaders in the league (635).

After being held scoreless in three straight games from Jan. 10 – Jan. 13, Whitney has registered 10-29-39 in 34 games since. Since the ASG break, he has recorded three point streaks of six or more games; including the second-longest point streak of his illustrious career (eight games: 2-10-12 from Jan. 21-Feb. 11)

Whitney is only the sixth player in NHL history to record 1,000 points without registering either a 50 goal, 60 assist or 100 point season (Brian Propp, Dale Hunter, Pat Verbeek, Henri Richard, Frank Mahovlich). The wizard currently ranks third among active players with the most points (326) after turing 35 years of age (Teemu Selanne – 453 & Nicklas Lidstrom – 417)