Canada Card World - The Blog: Who to Collect (In Retrospect) - James Neal

James Neal was selected 33rd overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Dallas Stars. Known for hard-hitting style mixed with skill, Neal earned a place on the gold medal winning Canadian World Junior hockey team in 2007. Neal was also chosen for the OHL Western Conference All-Star team and later in the season helped the Plymouth Whalers win the OHL title. He led all scorers with 5 goals in the Memorial Cup final and 25 points in 20 total playoff games.

During his rookie season in 2008-09, James Neal broke the Dallas Stars' franchise record for goals scored by a rookie with 24 goals in total on the season. Currently, Neal is lighting up the score sheet on a consistent basis and is in the top-20 NHL scorers will 7 goals and 7 assists for 14 points after only 12 games this season.

As Neal's scoring skills are starting to take over the spotlight, his first NHL fight was one of historic proportions as he mauled fellow rookie Derrick Brassard. The fight not only bloodied Brassard into submission but it also ended Brassard's promising rookie season.