Keith Ballard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Keith Ballard
Ballard with the Vancouver Canucks in March 2011
Born	(1982-11-26) November 26, 1982 (age 42) Baudette, Minnesota, U.S.
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	208 lb (94 kg; 14 st 12 lb)
Position	Defense
Shot	Left
Played for	Phoenix Coyotes Florida Panthers Vancouver Canucks Minnesota Wild
National team	United States
NHL Draft	11th overall, 2002 Buffalo Sabres
Playing career	2004–2015

Keith Galen Ballard (born November 26, 1982) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for teams like the Phoenix Coyotes, Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks, and Minnesota Wild.

Before joining the NHL, Keith played college hockey for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He played there for three seasons. After his first year, the Buffalo Sabres picked him 11th overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Before playing his first NHL game, he was traded twice. First, he went to the Colorado Avalanche, then to the Phoenix Coyotes. He started his professional career in 2004–05 with the Coyotes' minor league team, the Utah Grizzlies. He then joined the Phoenix Coyotes the next season.

After three years with the Coyotes, he was traded to the Florida Panthers. He played there for two seasons before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 2010. Keith also played for the United States national team four times in the World Ice Hockey Championships. He won a bronze medal in 2004. He also played in two junior tournaments.

Playing Career

Junior and College Hockey (1999–2004)

Keith Ballard started his junior hockey career in the United States Hockey League (USHL). He played for the United States National Development Team in 1999–2000. The next season, he played for the Omaha Lancers. He scored 51 points in 56 games that year. He led all defensemen in the league with 22 goals. He was named a First Team All-Star and played in the 2001 USHL All-Star Game. Keith helped the Lancers win the Clark Cup, which is the league championship. He scored seven points in ten playoff games.

In 2001–02, Keith began playing college hockey for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. They are part of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) in the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). He joined a strong defense team that included future NHL players. Keith was expected to do well and was named the WCHA's pre-season rookie of the year. In his first college game on October 5, 2001, he had two assists. He started his first year with a six-game point streak, scoring two goals and four assists. He finished his freshman year with 10 goals and 23 points in 41 games. He was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team.

In the WCHA playoffs, he scored the winning goal in overtime to help his team advance. The Golden Gophers then reached the 2002 NCAA Championships. They won their first national title that year. Keith scored the first goal in the NCAA final, helping Minnesota win 4–3 in overtime.

The next year, Keith had his best college season, with 41 points in 45 games. He was fourth among NCAA defensemen in scoring. He also earned academic honors for his performance in hockey and classes. He helped the Golden Gophers win the Broadmoor Trophy as WCHA playoff champions. They then beat the New Hampshire Wildcats in the 2003 NCAA Final to win their second national title in a row.

In his third year, Keith was named an alternate captain. He scored 11 goals and 36 points in 37 games. He was second among NCAA defensemen in points per game. His teammates voted him Minnesota's most valuable player. He also received several All-Star honors. Keith was one of ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the best college hockey player. However, the Golden Gophers did not win the national championship that year.

Keith left the Golden Gophers as one of the top defensemen in team history. He was seventh all-time among defensemen with 33 goals. He was also the 74th player in team history to reach 100 points.

Phoenix Coyotes (2004–08)

The Buffalo Sabres picked Keith Ballard 11th overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. This was a bit of a surprise, as many thought he would be picked later. Keith himself said he didn't expect to be chosen so early. Scouts described him as an offensive defenseman who was good at rushing the puck.

Before he played in the NHL, Keith was traded twice. First, the Sabres traded him to the Colorado Avalanche in 2003. The next year, he was traded again to the Phoenix Coyotes.

Keith signed a three-year contract with Phoenix in 2004. He decided to leave college early because of this NHL contract. He wanted to play professionally with NHL veterans.

Ballard in his first season with the Panthers in December 2008

Due to the NHL lockout, Keith started his professional career in the American Hockey League (AHL). He played for the Utah Grizzlies, the Coyotes' minor league team, in 2004–05. He scored two goals and 20 points in 60 games. When the NHL started playing again the next season, Keith played his first game with the Coyotes on October 5, 2005. He scored his first NHL goal in that game. Keith finished his rookie NHL season with 8 goals and 39 points, which are still his career highs. He also led all NHL defensemen with three shorthanded goals.

In his second NHL season, 2006–07, Keith missed 13 games. He broke a bone in his hand while blocking a shot. He still managed to get 27 points in 69 games. In 2007, he signed a new two-year contract. In 2007–08, Keith recorded 21 points, which was a career low for him.

Florida Panthers (2008–2010)

During the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Keith was traded to the Florida Panthers. The Panthers' coach, Jacques Martin, said Keith would be a key defenseman for the team. Before the 2008–09 season, Keith signed a six-year contract extension with the Panthers.

Keith scored 34 points in his first season with Florida in 2008–09. The next season, on November 30, 2009, Keith was involved in an incident during a game. Out of frustration, he accidentally hit his own teammate, goalie Tomáš Vokoun, in the mask with his stick. Vokoun had to leave the ice and needed stitches for a cut on his ear. He missed two games but then returned to play. Keith apologized to Vokoun after the game. He was not punished by the Panthers or the NHL.

Keith matched his career high of eight goals that season and added 20 assists for 28 points. He also blocked 201 shots, which was third-highest in the league. Keith played part of the season with a hip injury. After the season, he had surgery in May 2010 to fix a stress fracture and remove a cyst in his hip.

Vancouver Canucks (2010–2013)

Ballard (left) stands with Canucks teammates Alexander Edler and captain Henrik Sedin in November 2010.

On June 25, 2010, Keith was traded to the Vancouver Canucks. He was still recovering from his hip surgery and struggled a bit in the pre-season. Four games into the regular season, he got a concussion after being hit into the boards. He missed five games because of this. When he returned, he continued to struggle. The Canucks coach even made him a healthy scratch for four games, meaning he didn't play even though he wasn't injured. This was the first time that happened in his career.

Keith scored his first goal as a Canuck on November 26. A few months later, he injured his right knee during a game. He finished his first season with career lows in games played (65), goals (2), assists (5), and points (7). Despite his struggles, the Canucks had a great season. They won the Presidents' Trophy as the NHL's best regular season team. They made it to the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals but lost in Game 7. Keith played in 10 of the team's 25 playoff games.

In his second season with Vancouver, Keith continued to be a third-pairing defenseman. He missed five games due to a back injury. Then, on February 5, 2012, he got a season-ending concussion. He finished the season with 1 goal and 7 points in 47 games. His third season with the Canucks was shorter because of an NHL lockout. When the season started, Keith was again on the Canucks' third defensive pairing. At one point, he even played as a forward for three games to help the team with injuries. He then broke his foot. He played in 36 games that year and had two assists.

Minnesota Wild (2013–2015)

The Vancouver Canucks needed to reduce their player salaries in 2013. Keith still had two years left on his contract. The Canucks tried to trade him, but when that didn't work, they bought out his contract. This meant they paid him to end his contract early.

Two days after becoming a free agent, Keith signed a two-year contract with the Minnesota Wild.

In his second season with the Wild, Keith was hit by an opposing player. His head hit the glass and then the ice. He stayed on the ice for a few minutes before being able to leave on his own. Keith suffered a concussion and several facial fractures. He was taken to the hospital but was released the next day. No penalty was given for the hit.

After the 2015 season, Keith was still dealing with symptoms from his concussion. He decided to end his professional hockey career. He chose to go back to the University of Minnesota to study sport science.

International Play

Ballard during the 2008 IIHF World Championship
Medal record
Representing  United States
Ice hockey
IIHF World Championship
Bronze	2004 Czech Republic

Keith Ballard first played for Team USA at the 2000 IIHF World U18 Championships in Switzerland. He scored a goal and an assist in six games. The United States finished in eighth place. Two years later, Keith played for the under-20 team at the 2002 World Junior Championships. He played in seven games, scoring a goal and an assist. The United States finished in fifth place.

After his third year with the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Keith joined the United States men's team for the 2004 World Championships. He was the only college player on the team. He helped the United States win a bronze medal. His only goal of the tournament was in a 7–1 win against Ukraine.

Three years later, Keith played in the World Championships for three years in a row. In the 2007 tournament, he had three assists. The United States lost in the quarter-final. In 2008, Keith had two assists. The United States finished in sixth place. Keith played in his second bronze medal game at the 2009 IIHF World Championship, but the United States lost to Sweden. He scored a goal and two assists in nine games.

Playing Style

Keith Ballard was known as a two-way defenseman. This means he was good at both offense and defense. He was known for his hard hits, especially his hip checks. He often led his team in hits during his first five years in the NHL. He was also very good at blocking shots.

Offensively, Keith was a fast and smooth skater. This helped him start plays from his own defensive zone. He was known for his intense and competitive playing style.

Personal Life

Keith Ballard was born in Baudette, Minnesota. His parents are Steve and Joanne. He has a sister named Jessie. His family owns a fishing resort in Minnesota that his grandparents started in 1961.

Keith left home after his sophomore year of high school to focus on his hockey career. He played for the U.S. National Development Team. He graduated from Millard North High School in Omaha, Nebraska. In high school, he also played football as a fullback and linebacker. He was also a good golfer.

Keith and his wife have three children.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2000	United States	WJC18	8th		6	1	1	2	4
2002	United States	WJC	5th		7	1	1	2	4
2004	United States	WC			8	1	0	1	2
2007	United States	WC	5th		7	0	3	3	16
2008	United States	WC	6th		5	0	2	2	16
2009	United States	WC	4th		9	1	2	3	2
Junior totals					13	2	2	4	8
Senior totals					29	2	7	9	36

Awards