Shea Weber can now add highest-paid blueliner to the long list of distinctions he has earned throughout his hockey career.
Last week the Sicamous native was awarded a one-year contract worth $7.5 million, the most ever earned by an NHL player through salary arbitration.
His team, the Nashville Predators, had offered $4.75 million, while Weber’s representatives, Titan Sports, requested $8.5 million.
Following the arbiter’s conclusion, Weber said that it was nice to get the process out of the way, and that he and his agents could now work with the Predators at coming up with something more long-term.
For now, a one-year deal is done and I’m excited to get ready for the season.”
Because the Preds chose to go to arbitration, they must abide by the arbiter’s ruling.
Weber has played five full seasons with Nashville and recently helped lead the team to its first-ever post-season series win.
Weber helped Team Canada win gold in the 2007 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships, and silver in 2009, where he also received the tournament’s Best Defenceman award.
Weber again represented his home country in play during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, where he helped the men’s all-star team take gold.
Recently, Weber took second place, behind Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom, in voting for the recipient of this year’s Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top defence player.
As a result of the successful arbitration, Weber is set to be come a restricted free agent next summer.
Weber is one of the guest instructors with the Sicamous Hockey School, on this week at the Sicamous and District Recreation Centre.
