Kris Versteeg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kris Versteeg
Versteeg with the Los Angeles Kings in April 2016
Born	(1986-05-13) May 13, 1986 (age 39) Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	176 lb (80 kg; 12 st 8 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Right
Played for	Chicago Blackhawks Toronto Maple Leafs Philadelphia Flyers Florida Panthers Carolina Hurricanes Los Angeles Kings Calgary Flames Avangard Omsk Växjö Lakers Nitra
NHL Draft	134th overall, 2004 Boston Bruins
Playing career	2006–2020

Kristopher Royce Versteeg (born May 13, 1986) is a Canadian businessman and former professional ice hockey player. He played as a winger for many teams during his career. Some of these teams include the Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Calgary Flames. Kris Versteeg is famous for winning the Stanley Cup twice. He won both times with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 and 2015.

Kris was first picked by the Boston Bruins in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He played for their minor league team, the Providence Bruins, before joining the Blackhawks. He made his first appearance in the NHL during the 2007–08 season. The next year, he was nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the best rookie. After helping the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2010, Versteeg played for several other teams. He later returned to Chicago in the 2013–14 season and won the Stanley Cup again in 2015.

Kris Versteeg's Hockey Journey

Starting His Career with the Bruins

Kris Versteeg was chosen by the Boston Bruins in the 2004 NHL Draft. This happened after he played four years in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He played for teams like the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Red Deer Rebels. He even played with future Blackhawks teammate Brent Seabrook for three seasons. Kris started his professional hockey career in 2006. He played for the Providence Bruins, which was Boston's minor league team.

Joining the Chicago Blackhawks

In February 2007, Kris was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks. He then played for Chicago's minor league teams, the Norfolk Admirals and the Rockford IceHogs. Kris made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks in the 2007–08 season. He played 13 games and scored two goals and two assists.

Versteeg playing for the Blackhawks in 2009

Kris played his first full season with the Blackhawks in 2008–09. On January 1, 2009, he scored the first goal in the 2009 Winter Classic. This outdoor game was played at Wrigley Field against the Detroit Red Wings. He finished the season with 22 goals and 53 points. This made him the second-highest scoring rookie. He was nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the best rookie.

After the 2008–09 season, Kris signed a new three-year contract with the Blackhawks. His scoring went down a bit in his second full NHL season. However, he still helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2010. They beat the Philadelphia Flyers in the Finals.

Playing for Other NHL Teams

Because of rules about team salaries, the Blackhawks had to trade some players. Kris Versteeg was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in June 2010. While with the Maple Leafs, he achieved a "Gordie Howe hat trick." This means he scored a goal, got an assist, and had a fight in one game.

In February 2011, Kris was traded again, this time to the Philadelphia Flyers. He joined the team he had just helped defeat in the Stanley Cup Finals. He scored seven goals and four assists for the Flyers that season.

On July 1, 2011, the Flyers traded Kris to the Florida Panthers. This trade happened just hours after the Flyers signed famous player Jaromír Jágr.

Versteeg during his second time with the Blackhawks in 2014

Back with the Blackhawks

Kris Versteeg returned to the Chicago Blackhawks in November 2013. He was traded back to Chicago from the Florida Panthers. He chose to wear jersey number 23 this time. His old number, 32, was already being used by another player.

On June 15, 2015, Kris won his second Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks. They won game 6 against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals.

Later NHL Teams

In September 2015, Kris was traded again, this time to the Carolina Hurricanes. This trade helped the Blackhawks make space for another player's salary. Kris quickly became an important player for the Hurricanes.

In February 2016, Kris was traded to the Los Angeles Kings. He played 14 games for the Kings, scoring 5 points. The Kings lost in the first round of the playoffs that year.

In July 2016, Kris planned to play in Switzerland but failed a medical exam. He then joined the Edmonton Oilers for their training camp. However, he decided to sign with the Calgary Flames instead in October 2016. He had a good first season with the Flames, scoring 15 goals. He was a key player on their powerplay. Kris signed another one-year contract with the Flames in June 2017. He played 24 games before needing hip surgery in December.

Playing Overseas and Retirement

In September 2018, Kris signed a contract to play in Russia for Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He played only 11 games before moving to Sweden to play for the Växjö Lakers in February 2019. He played well for the Lakers, scoring 11 points in 12 games.

After his time in Sweden, Kris returned to North America. In April 2019, he signed with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (AHL). He was named the team captain. He had played for the IceHogs before, back in the 2007–08 season. After playing only six games due to injury, he left the team in November 2019.

Kris then signed with HK Nitra in Slovakia in November 2019. He played alongside his brother Mitch there. Kris Versteeg officially retired from playing hockey on April 14, 2020.

Beyond Playing Hockey

Business Ventures

Kris Versteeg and his brothers started a sports technology app called Klevr.ai. It was launched in 2021.

VersSet Skills Camp

Kris Versteeg and fellow hockey player Devin Setoguchi created the VersSet Skills Camp. This camp is held every summer in Taber, Alberta. It helps hockey players aged 4 to 18 improve their skills. The camp focuses on training both on and off the ice. Its goal is to share the love of hockey and help future players.

Helping Others

Kris is very passionate about supporting young people in sports. He wants to give them the tools and chances to succeed. He raised $15,000 for Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society. He did this while competing on a TV show called Battle of the Blades. He dedicated his support to his best friend and his friend's community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kris also gave money to families in Southern Alberta. This helped them buy groceries and other important items.

Broadcasting

Kris Versteeg is a regular guest on Sportsnet Hockey Central and Sirius XM NHL Radio. He is known for sharing his strong opinions and thoughtful ideas. He talks about many topics, from hockey rules to players' fashion.

Personal Life

Kris Versteeg was born in Lethbridge, Alberta. His parents are Marilyn and Roy, and his grandparents Morris and Joanne also helped raise him. He is married and has three children. His younger brother, Mitch, also played hockey professionally.

Kris became known in the NHL for singing in public. He would often perform parts of songs for fans and media.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and Honours