Keith Aulie facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Keith Aulie
Aulie with the Tampa Bay Lightning
Born	(1989-06-11) June 11, 1989 (age 36) Rouleau, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height	6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight	222 lb (101 kg; 15 st 12 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Toronto Maple Leafs Tampa Bay Lightning Edmonton Oilers HIFK EHC München
NHL Draft	116th overall, 2007 Calgary Flames
Playing career	2009–2021

Keith Aulie (born June 11, 1989) is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman. A defenceman is a player who helps protect their team's goal. He last played for EHC München in Germany's top hockey league.

Aulie was picked by the Calgary Flames in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. This means he was chosen by an NHL team when he was still a young player. Before playing professionally, he played junior hockey for the Brandon Wheat Kings. He was even named the best student-player in his league in 2007.

Keith Aulie also played for Team Canada in the 2009 World Junior Championships. He helped his team win a gold medal. Off the ice, he was honored by the Canadian Red Cross. This was for saving his father after he fell through ice on their family farm.

Playing Career

Junior Hockey Years

Keith Aulie started his junior hockey career with the Brandon Wheat Kings. This team plays in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He was chosen by the Wheat Kings in a special draft for young players in 2004. Before that, he played minor hockey in his hometown.

Aulie played his first WHL game during the 2005–06 season. He played in 38 games that year. After the 2006–07 season, he won the Doc Seaman Trophy. This award is for the WHL's best student-player. He scored his first WHL goal that season.

The Calgary Flames picked Aulie in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 116th player chosen overall. Aulie stayed with the Wheat Kings for his entire junior career. In his last season (2008–09), he was the team's captain. He also made the WHL Eastern Conference All-Star Team.

Starting Professional Hockey

Aulie signed his first professional contract with the Calgary Flames in January 2009. After finishing his time in junior hockey, he began playing for the Abbotsford Heat. This team is the Flames' top minor league team in the American Hockey League (AHL).

During his first professional season, Aulie was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He joined the Toronto Marlies, the Maple Leafs' AHL team. His first season was cut short because of an injury. He played 48 games in the AHL that year.

At the start of the 2010–11 season, Aulie was sent to the Marlies. But he was called up to the NHL on November 12, 2010. This happened when another player, Dion Phaneuf, got injured. Aulie played his first NHL game the next day against the Vancouver Canucks.

He played 12 games with the Maple Leafs before returning to the Marlies. Even with his time in the NHL, Aulie was chosen for the AHL All-Star Game. He showed off his powerful shot in the hardest shot event.

Moving Up in the NHL

Later in the 2010–11 season, Aulie was called back to the Maple Leafs. The team's General Manager, Brian Burke, said they wanted Aulie to play in the NHL. Aulie had his first NHL fight against Scott Hartnell. This earned him the nickname "Muhammad Aulie."

He scored his first NHL goal against the New York Islanders on March 9, 2011. Before the 2011–12 season, Aulie was sent back to the Toronto Marlies. On February 27, 2012, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

After this trade, Aulie played for both the Lightning in the NHL and their AHL teams. These teams were the Norfolk Admirals and the Syracuse Crunch.

Later Career and Europe

On July 1, 2014, Aulie signed a one-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers. He was suspended for a couple of games during this time.

In 2015, Aulie tried out for the Arizona Coyotes. He then signed a try-out contract with their AHL team, the Springfield Falcons. After playing a few games, he was released. On January 3, 2016, Aulie signed his first contract to play in Europe. He joined HIFK in Finland's top league.

Aulie returned to North America in 2016. He signed a try-out contract with the Cleveland Monsters. After three games, he was released. He then signed another try-out with the Stockton Heat. He played the rest of that season with them.

In 2017, Aulie signed a try-out with the Chicago Wolves in the AHL. After 11 games, he was released. On December 15, 2017, he signed with EHC Red Bull München in Germany. He played for this team until 2021.

International Play

Medal record
Representing Canada
World Junior Championships
Gold	2009 Ottawa
Spengler Cup
Gold	2015 Davos

Keith Aulie played for Canada for the first time at the 2009 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He played defence with Tyler Myers. Together, they helped Team Canada win a gold medal.

Aulie is 6 feet 6 inches tall, and Myers is 6 feet 7 inches. Because they were both so tall, the media called them the "twin towers." After the tournament, Aulie was honored by his hometown.

Personal Life

Keith Aulie's parents are Bill and Karen. He also has a younger sister named Krystal. He went to school in Rouleau, Saskatchewan, until Grade 9. There, he helped his school win a provincial volleyball championship. He also won many track medals.

In December 2006, something amazing happened. Aulie's father was clearing snow off a frozen pond. The ice broke, and his father fell into the cold water. Keith Aulie was able to pull his father out and get him to safety. The Canadian Red Cross gave Aulie their Rescuer Award for his brave act.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Junior and professional statistics source

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2009	Canada	WJC			6	0	1	1	2
Junior totals					6	0	1	1	2

International statistics source

Awards and Honours