He was undrafted but started his career in the NHL with the Minnesota Wild. He played for the Wild for a season and mainly stayed with their farm team, Houston Aeros whom he won the Calder Cup with in 2003. He was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes for Erik Westrum and Dustin Wood in 2005. He played 5 seasons with the Coyotes and lead the league in blocked shots during the 2008–09 NHL season. He signed a 5-year, $20 million contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1, 2010. He played 2 seasons with them and was traded back to the Coyotes during Draft Day 2012 for Harrison Ruopp, Marc Cheverie and a 2012 third-round draft pick (81st overall).