Rob Scuderi
A defensive defenseman nicknamed 'The Piece' for his crucial, unglamorous role in the Pittsburgh Penguins' 2009 Stanley Cup championship.
Born 1978 (age 48)·American ice hockey player·Birthday: December 30·Generation X
Biography
Rob Scuderi carved out a 13-year NHL career not with flashy goals, but with intelligent positioning, shot-blocking bravery, and a calm that steadied defensive pairs. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Syosset, New York native became a textbook example of a stay-at-home blueliner. His value was never more apparent than during the Penguins' 2009 playoff run, where his shot-blocking and penalty-killing mastery were so vital that teammates dubbed him 'The Piece'—as in, the final piece to a championship puzzle. After hoisting the Cup, he took his savvy to Los Angeles, where he won it again with the Kings in 2012, proving his style was a timeless asset. Following his retirement, Scuderi smoothly transitioned into coaching, bringing his detailed understanding of defensive structure to the Nashville Predators' staff.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Rob was born in 1978, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Rob Was Born
The biggest hits of 1978
#1 Movie
Grease
Best Picture
The Deer Hunter
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Rob's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1978Born
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1983Started school
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1991Became a teenager
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1994Could drive
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1996Could vote
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Turned 21
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2008Turned 30
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 40
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 48 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Stanley Cup twice, with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009 and the Los Angeles Kings in 2012.
- Played over 700 regular-season games in the NHL as a dependable defensive specialist.
- Recorded a career-high +23 plus/minus rating during the 2012-13 season with the Los Angeles Kings.
Did You Know?
He earned the nickname 'The Piece' from Penguins teammate Sidney Crosby during their 2009 Cup run.
Scuderi played college hockey for four years at Boston College, winning an NCAA championship in 2001.
He was known as one of the league's top shot-blockers, often leading his teams in that category.
After retiring, he began his coaching career with the Penguins' AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
“I'm not here to score goals; I'm here to make sure the other team doesn't.”
