Kevin Bieksa facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kevin Bieksa
Bieksa with the Vancouver Canucks in March 2012
Born	(1981-06-16) June 16, 1981 (age 43) Grimsby, Ontario, Canada
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	197 lb (89 kg; 14 st 1 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Right
Played for	Vancouver Canucks Anaheim Ducks
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	151st overall, 2001 Vancouver Canucks
Playing career	2004–2018

Kevin Francesco Bieksa (born June 16, 1981) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played most of his career with the Vancouver Canucks. Later, he also played for the Anaheim Ducks.

Before joining the pros, Kevin played three years in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). He then earned a scholarship to Bowling Green State University. He played four years for the Falcons college team. Kevin graduated with a degree in finance. Today, he is a co-host on Hockey Night in Canada.

Kevin also played for his country, Canada. He represented Canada at the 2014 World Championship. He was even named team captain for that tournament. He played for Canada again at the 2018 Spengler Cup.

The Canucks picked Kevin 151st overall in the 2001 NHL entry draft. After college, he joined their minor league team, the Manitoba Moose. He was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team in his first full season. Kevin became a regular player for the Canucks in the 2005–06 season. He was known as a tough and skilled defenceman.

Kevin's Hockey Journey

Early Days in Minor Hockey

Kevin Bieksa grew up playing hockey in Grimsby, Ontario. He started with the Jr. Peach Kings. Later, he moved on to play for the Stoney Creek Warriors. He also played for the Jr.A Burlington Cougars.

In 1998, the Mississauga IceDogs drafted him into the Ontario Hockey League. But Kevin chose a different path. He decided to pursue a scholarship to play NCAA college hockey.

Playing Junior and College Hockey

Kevin played three years of Junior A hockey for the Burlington Cougars. This was in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL). In his second season, he scored 37 points in 48 games. He had 33 points in his third season.

In 2000–01, Kevin joined the Bowling Green Falcons. They played in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). As a freshman, he scored 13 points in 35 games. He helped his team reach the CCHA semifinals.

The Vancouver Canucks drafted Kevin in 2001. He was the 151st pick overall. He went back to Bowling Green to finish his college career. In his third season, he became an alternate captain. He scored a college career-high 25 points. Falcons fans chose him for the W. G. Grinder's Grinder Award. He also won the Jim Ruehl Award for best defensive player.

In his final college season (2003–04), he scored 22 points. He was named to the All-CCHA Team. He also received the Howard Brown Award as the best player chosen by his coaches.

Time with the Manitoba Moose

After college, Kevin signed with the Manitoba Moose. This team was the Canucks' minor league affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). He played four games with the Moose in the 2003–04 season. He recorded two assists.

In the 2004–05 season, Kevin played his first full professional year. He scored 12 goals and 39 points in 80 games. He was named the AHL Rookie of the Month for March. He also made the AHL All-Rookie Team. His 39 points set a new team record for a defenceman.

During this time, Moose goaltender Alex Auld gave him the nickname "Juice." Kevin said it was a funny story about him "drinking juice."

Kevin started the 2005–06 training camp hoping to join the Canucks. But he got a high ankle sprain. He was sent back to the Moose. While injured, he was named an alternate captain. He returned to play in November. In his second game back, he had two goals and an assist.

Joining the Vancouver Canucks (2005–2015)

Kevin was called up by the Canucks in December 2005. He played his first NHL game on December 19, 2005. He got his first NHL point, an assist, on January 5, 2006. He finished the season with six assists in 39 games.

In the 2006–07 season, he scored his first NHL goal. This was on October 13, 2006. Kevin quickly became one of the Canucks' top defencemen. He led all team defencemen with 30 assists and 42 points. He also had 12 goals. He often played against the other team's best forwards. He won the Canucks' Babe Pratt Trophy as best defenceman. He also received the Fred J. Hume Award as the unsung hero.

The Canucks signed Kevin to a new three-year contract in July 2007. This showed how much they valued him.

In November 2007, Kevin suffered a serious calf injury. An opponent's skate cut his leg. He missed 47 games because of this. He returned to play 12 points in 34 games.

He continued to have injury troubles in the 2008–09 season. He broke a bone in his left foot. Despite missing ten games, he had a career-high 32 assists. He also scored 11 goals for 43 points. This was the most among team defencemen.

Kevin was often part of trade rumors. In December 2009, he suffered another serious leg cut. An opponent's skate cut tendons in his ankle. He missed three-and-a-half months. This limited him to 55 games. He scored three goals and 19 assists for 22 points. In the 2010 playoffs, he scored his first career playoff goal. He finished the playoffs with three goals and eight points in 12 games.

Bieksa skates at a Canucks practice in April 2009

In the 2010–11 season, Kevin's scoring went down. But he was praised for improving his defensive play. He became more responsible in his own zone. In February 2011, he fractured another bone in his foot. He missed 15 games. He returned in March. His season-ending +32 plus-minus rating was his best ever. It was also second-best in the NHL.

The Canucks won the Presidents' Trophy that year. They entered the 2011 playoffs as the top team. Kevin scored four goals in five games in the Conference Finals. He scored a double-overtime winner in Game 5. This sent the Canucks to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1994. The Canucks lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games. Kevin finished the playoffs with 10 points in 25 games. His five goals led all defencemen in the playoffs.

After the season, Kevin signed a new five-year, $23 million contract. He said he wanted to stay with the Canucks. In the 2011–12 season, he played 78 games. He had eight goals and 36 assists for 44 points. The Canucks won the Presidents' Trophy again. But they lost in the first round of the 2012 playoffs.

On December 22, 2013, Kevin played his 500th NHL game. The Canucks missed the playoffs in 2014. This was the first time since 2008.

On January 20, 2015, Kevin broke his hand. He missed 22 games. He returned in March. He finished the 2014–15 season with four goals and 10 assists. The Canucks returned to the playoffs. They lost in the first round.

Playing for the Anaheim Ducks (2015–2018)

On June 30, 2015, the Canucks traded Kevin to the Anaheim Ducks. He joined his former teammate Ryan Kesler. Two days later, Kevin signed a two-year contract extension. In his first season with the Ducks, he had 15 points in 71 games.

In the 2016–17 season, Kevin helped guide the Ducks' younger defencemen. The Ducks won their division. They swept the Calgary Flames in the first round of the 2017 playoffs. Kevin had four assists in four games. He tore a ligament in his knee in the second round. He missed some games. But he returned for the Conference Finals. The Ducks lost to the Nashville Predators.

During the 2017–18 season, Kevin did not score any goals. This was the first time since his rookie season. He had eight assists in 59 games. He played one game in the 2018 playoffs. The Ducks were swept by the San Jose Sharks.

Retirement from Hockey

On October 13, 2022, the Canucks announced that Kevin would sign a special one-day contract. He officially retired from hockey on November 3, 2022. This was when the Canucks played against the Ducks.

How Kevin Played

Kevin Bieksa was known as a "two-way defenceman." This means he was good at both offence and defence. He often joined the attack. He led the Canucks' defencemen in scoring in 2006–07 and 2008–09.

He was also known for his aggressive and physical style. He earned a reputation as a fighter. He was known for a special "superman punch" move on skates. Many people called him an undefeated fighter.

Coaches and teammates praised Kevin's leadership. Henrik Sedin, a close teammate, called him a "great leader" and "great teammate." Kevin, along with Ryan Kesler and Alexandre Burrows, were known as fierce competitors. They were a big part of the Canucks' success. They were often seen as tough players to play against.

Life After Playing Hockey

In 2019, Kevin and Dean Caban started West Coast Academy. This is an ice hockey academy in Southern California.

In 2020, he joined the Hockey Night in Canada team. He became a regular analyst. He was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Sports Analysis. He won this award in 2024.

From 2019 to 2021, he was an assistant coach for the Anaheim Jr. Ducks. From 2021–22, he coached for the Fairmont Preparatory Academy Huskies.

Kevin also joined KO Sports, a hockey agency. He helps mentor young defencemen. His former teammate Ryan Kesler also joined to mentor forwards.

Kevin's Personal Life

Kevin Bieksa was born in Grimsby, Ontario, on June 16, 1981. His parents are Al Bieksa and Angela Lombardo. He has two brothers, Marty and Bryan. He also has two stepsisters, Terri Lynn and Jennifer. His father coached him and his brothers in minor hockey.

Kevin graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2004. He earned a bachelor's degree in finance.

Kevin was a close friend of his Canucks teammate, Rick Rypien. Rick struggled with his mental health. Kevin was one of the first teammates Rick talked to about it. When Rick took a leave from the Canucks, Kevin welcomed him into his home. After Rick's passing, Kevin was very involved in ceremonies. He helped create Hockey Talks to honor Rick's memory. This program encourages open conversations about mental health.

Kevin and his wife, Katie, have two children. They have a son and a daughter. The family lives in Newport Beach, California. In 2017, Katie published a book called Newport Jane. It was inspired by Kevin's trade to Anaheim.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

International Play

Awards and Honours

Bowling Green Falcons Team Awards

AHL Awards

Vancouver Canucks Team Awards

Canadian Screen Awards

Records

• Manitoba Moose franchise record; most points by a rookie defenceman – 39 in 2004–05 (surpassed Kirill Koltsov, 32 in 2003–04)