Jesse Schultz

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Position	Right Wing
Shoots	Right
Height Weight	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 192 lb (87 kg)
NHL Team	Vancouver Canucks
Nationality	Canada
Born	September 28, 1982, Strasbourg, SK
NHL Draft	undrafted
Pro Career	2006 – present

Jesse Schultz (born September 28, 1982 in Strasbourg, Saskatchewan) is a Canadian ice hockey player for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League.

[edit] Playing Career

Schultz spent four seasons of junior hockey in the Western Hockey League, starting in the 1999-00 season with the Tri-City Americans. He would be dealt to the Prince Albert Raiders midway through the 2000-01 season, where he played well, scoring 32 points in 35 games for the Raiders. However, it wasn't enough to get him selected in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft, as he was passed over in his first year of eligibility.

Schultz was traded to the Kelowna Rockets for the 2001-02 season, and posted solid totals of 28 goals and 64 points. However, he was passed over again in the NHL draft as scouts deemed him too small and too slow for the pro game. However, a 53-goal, 104-point performance in 2002-03 would earn him a free-agent contract from the Vancouver Canucks.

Schultz turned pro in 2003, but failed to make the Manitoba Moose, the Canucks' primary farm team. Instead, he suited up for the ECHL Columbia Inferno, scoring 27 goals in 52 games. In 2004-05, Schultz did manage to stick in Manitoba, posting 9 goals and 24 points in 70 AHL games.

The 2005-06 season was a turning point for Schultz. After a disappointing first two professional seasons and in the last year of his contract with the Canucks, his pro future looked uncertain. However, he would have a standout year, leading the Moose with 37 goals and 67 points, and re-established himself as a player with NHL potential.

Heading into the 2006-07 NHL season, Schultz was considered a favourite to crack the Canucks' roster following the departure of several veteran forwards. Adding to his chances, he was a favourite of head coach Alain Vigneault, who had been promoted to Vancouver after coaching the Moose the previous season. However, Schultz had an extremely disappointing training camp and was returned to the AHL.

Schultz was recalled to the Canucks after a solid start in Manitoba, and made his NHL debut on November 29, 2006 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.