Niko Dimitrakos

Nicholas Dimitrakos (Greek: Niko Δημητράκος; born May 21, 1979 in Somerville, Massachusetts) is a Greek-American professional ice hockey right winger, currently playing for Modo Hockey in the Swedish Elitserien.


Playing career

Dimitrakos was first introduced to Hockey at age four by his uncle and has loved it ever since. He graduated from Matignon High School (Cambridge, MA) in 1997. After graduation, Niko attended the prestigious hockey prep school, Avon Old Farms (Avon, Ct) as a post graduate for one year.

Dimitrakos played his college hockey for the University of Maine Black Bears, helping the team win the 1999 NCAA Championship, and making the 1999 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team. His senior year, Dimitrakos led the team in points, with 20 goals and 31 assists in 43 games. During his time at Maine, Dimitrakos was also drafted by the San Jose Sharks, in the 5th round (155th overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.

Dimitrakos received his first NHL action toward the end of the 2002–03 NHL season. Sometimes playing on the same line as NHL star Teemu Selänne, Dimitrakos recorded 6 goals and 7 assists in 21 games as a rookie. The following year, he logged 9 goals and 15 assists in 68 games. Despite his modest regular season statistics, Dimitrakos played well in the 2004 NHL Playoffs, helping San Jose advance to the Western Conference finals for the first time in franchise history.

2005–06 was a bit of a disappointing season for Dimitrakos, however, and on March 9, 2006, he was traded by the Sharks to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for a draft pick. Dimitrakos played in 24 games for the Flyers before being demoted to their AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, in October 2006. Following the 2006–07 season, Dimitrakos signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Senators.

Prior to the 2008–09 season, Dimitrakos signed a one-year contract with Skellefteå in Sweden. Because of his Greek citizenship, he is not counted against the non-EU player limit.[citation needed]

Personal life

He is of Greek (father) and Italian (mother) origins. Dimitrakos has a daughter named Mia Bella Dimitrakos born July 4, 2006, with his wife Joanne. He also has a sister.

Awards

* NCAA Champion with Maine Black Bears in 1999 and 2000.
* Named to the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team in 1999.
* Named to the NCAA East Second All-American Team in 2002.
* Named to the Hockey East Second All-Star Team in 2002.


Career statistics

    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1998–99 Maine Black Bears HE 35 8 19 27 33 — — — — —
1999–00 Maine Black Bears HE 32 11 16 27 16 — — — — —
2000–01 Maine Black Bears HE 29 11 14 25 43 — — — — —
2001–02 Maine Black Bears HE 43 20 31 51 44 — — — — —
2002–03 Cleveland Barons AHL 55 15 29 44 30 — — — — —
2002–03 San Jose Sharks NHL 21 6 7 13 8 — — — — —
2003–04 Cleveland Barons AHL 7 4 4 8 4 — — — — —
2003–04 San Jose Sharks NHL 68 9 15 24 49 15 1 8 9 8
2004–05 SCL Tigers NLA 3 0 1 1 0 6 3 3 6 16
2005–06 San Jose Sharks NHL 45 4 12 16 26 — — — — —
2005–06 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 19 5 4 9 6 5 0 0 0 2
2006–07 Philadelphia Flyers NHL 5 0 0 0 6 — — — — —
2006–07 Philadelphia Phantoms AHL 45 15 13 28 34 — — — — —
2006–07 Chicago Wolves AHL 17 4 10 14 20 15 3 7 10 8
2007–08 Binghamton Senators AHL 64 20 20 40 67 — — — — —
2008–09 Skellefteå AIK SEL 54 22 22 44 59 1 0 0 0 0
2009–10 HC CSKA Moscow KHL 50 12 5 17 32 3 0 0 0 12
NHL totals 158 24 38 62 95 20 1 8 9 10
KHL totals 50 12 5 17 32 3 0 0 0 12

External links

* Niko Dimitrakos's career stats at The Internet Hockey Database
* Niko Dimitrakos at TSN.ca

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