Playing Career
Drafted 68th overall in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft by the New York Rangers, Amonte is best known for his time as a scoring star with the Chicago Blackhawks and for representing the United States in international play. Amonte made his debut in the 1991 playoffs. He impressed as a rookie, scoring over 30 goals and placing 3rd in the balloting for the Calder Trophy. He played three seasons with the Rangers, scoring 84 goals, before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks with seven games to go in the 1993–94 season, the year the Rangers went on to win the Stanley Cup. He gained stardom in Chicago, scoring at least 30 goals five times and at least 40 three times, including having a 5-season long streak where he did not miss a single game.
Amonte, playing for Team USA, won the Gold Medal in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey tournament. Amonte scored the game-winning goal with just two and a half minutes left in the final against Team Canada.
He began the 2002–03 season with the Phoenix Coyotes and was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers near the end of the season. Amonte signed with the Calgary Flames as a free agent on August 2, 2005 and scored his 400th NHL goal for the Flames on December 10, 2005 against the Ottawa Senators.
He is currently ranked eleventh all-time in points amongst American-born players with 900. He announced his retirement via his personal website, www.tony-amonte.com.
On January 21, 2009, the Chicago Blackhawks celebrated Tony Amonte Heritage Night at the United Center. They awarded the first 10,000 fans with special commemorative Tony Amonte pins.
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