Jay Bouwmeester

Jay Bouwmeester is a Canadian defenseman on the Calgary Flames.

Bouwmeester was drafted 3rd overall by Florida in 2002. He has been the star defenseman on the team since his debut the same year. He has played in all 82 games in every season except 2003-04. His best statistical season was in 2005-06, when he finished with 5 goals and 46 points. He set a career high in goals last season with 15, finishing with 37 points, as well. He was named alternate captain for the '08-09 season, once Olli Jokinen was traded to Phoenix in the 2008 offseason. In 2008-09, there were constant trade rumors surrounding Bouwmeester, since his contract was set to expire at the end of the season. He finished the season with 15 goals and 42 points, along with 68 penalty minutes, as the Panthers opted to keep him on the team as they attempted to make the playoffs for the first time in a number of seasons. Florida ended up falling just short of the playoffs, and Bouwmeester was traded to Calgary before he was eligible to sign with any other team. He then signed a five year contract with the Flames. Bouwmeester currently holds the longest active streak for consecutive games played, since Andrew Brunette's streak ended at 509 games in February of 2009.

Bouwmeester has played for Team Canada a number of times in his career. He won gold medals at the 2003 and 2004 World Championships, as well as the 2004 World Cup. He won a silver medal at the 2002 World Junior Championships, and bronze medals at the 2000 and 2001 Junior tournaments. He also played at the 2006 Winter Olympics and the 2008 World Championships.