Education
After being drafted, Goligoski completed three years of college ice hockey at the University of Minnesota, where he was assistant captain with Kellen Briggs.
After being drafted, Goligoski completed three years of college ice hockey at the University of Minnesota, where he was assistant captain with Kellen Briggs.
During his National Hockey League career, he has also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, the organization that drafted him in the second round, 61st overall, in 2004. Amateur
Goligoski was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round from Grand Rapids High School (ThunderHawks), 61st overall, of the 2004 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Professional
He began his professional career with the Penguins" American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in 2007.
Goligoski was then recalled by Pittsburgh on February 5, 2008, and played his first National Hockey League game against the Boston Bruins on February 13.
After being returned to Wilkes-Barre, he again later recalled by Pittsburgh, registering his first point, an assist, on March 1 against the Ottawa Senators. Due to injuries to Sergei Gonchar and Ryan Whitney, Goligoski began the 2008-2009 season on the roster for Pittsburgh.
He scored his first National Hockey League goal in his first game that season against Alex Auld of the Ottawa Senators. On June 15, 2009, Goligoski signed a three-year, $5.5 million extension with the Penguins.
On February 21, 2011, Goligoski was traded to the Dallas Stars in exchange for left winger James Neal and defenseman Matt Niskanen.
In 2011, Goligoski was invited to play for the United States at the 2011 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia. He declined, however, because he had not had much off-time in the past few seasons. On January 23, 2012, Goligoski signed a four-year, $18.4 million contract extension with Dallas.