Daniel Winnik plays in the National Hockey League for the Colorado Avalanche. The Toronto native was drafted in the ninth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes, and traded to the Avalanche on June 28, 2010, for a fourth round draft pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. On July 2, Winnik re-signed a two-year contract with the Avalanche as a restricted free agent.http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/player.cgi?4856

Daniel Winnik made his NHL debut during the 2007-08 season with the Coyotes, appearing in 79 games during his rookie campaign. In his NHL debut on October 4, 2007, he scored the game-winning goal against the St. Louis Blues, his first career NHL goal. The following week, he notched his first assist during an October 11 game against the Nashville Predators. On the season, Winnik ended up finishing tied for first among NHL rookies for short-handed points and assists.http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8471476&view=bio

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on March 6, 1985, Daniel Winnik begins every game by putting his left skate on first. An avid golfer and surfer, Winnik also enjoys spending his free time reading. The 6-foot-2 left winger is described by The Hockey News as a "versatile defensive forward, a player that can play any forward position, with plenty of determination and excellent NHL size."http://forecaster.thehockeynews.com/hockeynews/hockey/player.cgi?4856

In his first three NHL seasons, all with the Phoenix Coyotes, Daniel Winnik played in 202 regular season games, recording 52 points on 18 goals and 34 assists.http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=77829 During his sophmore season, Winnik played in 49 games for the Coyotes, finishing with a +1 plus/minus average, and 63 penalty minutes on the season. In an October 11 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Winnik posted a career-high 17 penalty minutes. During the 2009-10 season for Phoenix, Winnik logged 19 points on four goals and 15 assists, again finishing the season with a +1 plus/minus rating. Winnik also led the team with 54 blocked shots, and was second with 30 takeaways. He also made his Stanley Cup playoff debut in an April 14, 2010, game against the Detroit Red Wings.http://avalanche.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8471476&view=bio

Daniel Winnik spent several seasons playing for the Coyotes' AHL affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. In 78 games for the Rampage, he logged 23 points on 10 goals and 13 assists. He also posted 46 penalty minutes.http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=77829

Before playing professional hockey, Winnik spent three years playing at the University of New Hampshire for Hockey East. In 119 games for the Wildcats, he registered 95 points on 37 goals and 58 assists. In his last year with the Wildcats, he finished with a career-high 41 points, second on the team, with 15 goals and 26 assists in 39 games.http://www.unhwildcats.com/sports/mice/2009-10/releases/072709