Kyle Chipchura facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kyle Chipchura |
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| Born | February 19, 1986 Westlock, Alberta, Canada |
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| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) | ||
| Weight | 206 lb (93 kg; 14 st 10 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Montreal Canadiens Anaheim Ducks Arizona Coyotes Kunlun Red Star HC Slovan Bratislava Severstal Cherepovets |
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| NHL Draft | 18th overall, 2004 Montreal Canadiens |
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| Playing career | 2006–2020 | ||
Kyle Douglas Glen Chipchura is a former professional ice hockey player from Canada. He was born on February 19, 1986. Kyle played as a centre and was chosen very early in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. The Montreal Canadiens picked him 18th overall in the first round. During his career, Chipchura also played for other well-known teams like the Anaheim Ducks and the Arizona Coyotes. He retired from playing in 2020.
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Early Life and Hockey Beginnings
Kyle Chipchura grew up in Westlock, Alberta, Canada. He started playing minor league hockey in nearby towns, Legal and Westlock. As he got older, he played for the Prince Albert Raiders in a league called the Western Hockey League (WHL). This was part of his "major junior" hockey career, which is a step before playing professionally.
Playing Career Highlights
Kyle Chipchura began his major junior career with the Prince Albert Raiders in the 2002–03 season. After playing two seasons with the Raiders, he was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens.
Joining the Montreal Canadiens
On March 25, 2006, the Canadiens signed Chipchura to his first professional contract. He then joined their minor league team, the Hamilton Bulldogs, in the AHL. In the 2006–07 season, Kyle stayed with the Bulldogs. He helped them win the Calder Cup, which is the championship trophy for the AHL.
Chipchura played his very first game in the NHL on October 10, 2007. Later that month, on October 20, he scored his first NHL goal against the Buffalo Sabres.
Time with the Ducks and Coyotes
In December 2009, Chipchura was traded to the Anaheim Ducks. He found a role on the team as a "checking-line" player. This means he focused on playing strong defense and stopping the other team's best players. He played for the Ducks until 2011.
After leaving the Ducks, Kyle signed a contract with the Phoenix Coyotes (now known as the Arizona Coyotes) in July 2011. He played with the Coyotes for five seasons.
Playing Overseas in the KHL
After his time in the NHL, Chipchura decided to play hockey in Europe. In July 2016, he signed with HC Slovan Bratislava in the KHL. The KHL is a major hockey league with teams mostly from Europe and Asia. He played one season with Bratislava, scoring 13 goals and 29 points.
In June 2017, Kyle moved to a Chinese team in the KHL called HC Kunlun Red Star. After one season there, he returned to Slovan Bratislava in July 2018. He played his final professional season in 2019-2020 with Severstal Cherepovets in the KHL before retiring.
International Hockey for Canada
Kyle Chipchura also represented Canada in international hockey tournaments.
Missing the 2005 World Juniors
He was invited to try out for the 2005 World Junior Championships. Even though he was only 18, he was expected to make the team. However, during practice, he had a serious injury to his Achilles tendon. This meant he couldn't play in the tournament, where Canada won the gold medal.
Captain of the 2006 Gold Medal Team
The next year, Chipchura was invited to try out again for the 2006 World Junior Championships. He made the team and was even named team captain by coach Brent Sutter. This was a big honor, as it made him only the second player drafted by the Montreal Canadiens to be captain of Canada's World Junior team. He led the team to win the gold medal!
Awards and Honours
| Award | Year | |
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| WHL | ||
| East Second All-Star Team | 2006 | |
