A big, bruising player at 6-foot-2 and 218 pounds, Abdelkader has an appetite for contact and agitation, and his forechecks are emphatic.

Born in Muskegon, Mich., Abdelkader joined Cedar Rapids of the United States Hockey League for the 2004-05 season, where he won the Mr. Hockey Award as the state's top high school player.

Selected by the Detroit Red Wings in the second round (No. 42) of the 2005 NHL Draft, Abdelkader went to Michigan State University. During his sophomore season, in a tense Frozen Four final, he scored the game-winning goal at 19:41 of the third period, snapping a 1-1 tie with Boston College. The Spartans would add an empty-net goal to seal a 3-1 victory and a third national championship.

Abdelkader was named to the all-tournament team and was the Frozen Four MVP.

Turning pro, he paid his dues for the better part of two seasons with Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League. When the Wings won their 11th Stanley Cup in the spring of 2008, Abdelkader was part of the team's title celebration despite playing two regular-season games and none in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Abdelkader nailed down a spot on the Red Wings roster to open the 2009-2010 season and became a fixture at left wing. On opening night in 2015-16, Abdelkader became only the second Red Wings player in 70 years to score three goals in a season opener.

On Nov. 12, 2015, Abdelkader signed a seven-year contract extension.