Topic: Zenon Konopka

Zenon Konopka (born January 2, 1981 in Niagara Falls, Ontario) is a professional ice hockey forward who is currently signed to a two year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is currently the team's fourth line center and "enforcer".

Konopka played junior hockey with the Ottawa 67's of the OHL from 1998 to 2002, and was a member of the 1999 Memorial Cup champions. He was not drafted by a NHL team and caught on with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL. After 3 minor league seasons with various teams in the ECHL and AHL, he made his NHL debut in 2005–2006, playing 23 games for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. After the Ducks were elminated, he returned to Portland in the AHL, where he led all playoff scorers in power play goals and assists.

In 2006–07, he returned to the minors, playing for Portland in the AHL. On January 26, 2007, he was traded by the Anaheim Ducks along with Curtis Glencross and a draft pick to the Blue Jackets in exchange for forwards Mark Hartigan, Joe Motzko and a draft pick. Since that time, he has played for Columbus' farm team in the AHL, the Syracuse Crunch, with occasional call-ups to the Blue Jackets. On July 10th, 2008, Konopka signed a two year contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.