Steve Weeks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Steve Weeks
Born	(1958-06-30) June 30, 1958 (age 66) Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	165 lb (75 kg; 11 st 11 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Left
Played for	New York Rangers Hartford Whalers Vancouver Canucks New York Islanders Los Angeles Kings Ottawa Senators
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	176th overall, 1978 New York Rangers
Playing career	1981–1993

Stephen K. Weeks, born on June 30, 1958, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a goaltender, which means he was the player who tries to stop the puck from going into the net. Weeks played for 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for several teams, including the New York Rangers, Hartford Whalers, Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, and Ottawa Senators.

The Rangers picked Weeks in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft. He played his first NHL game with them in 1981. Stephen also played for the Canadian national team. He helped Canada win a silver medal at the 1985 World Championships.

Stephen Weeks' Hockey Journey

Weeks was born in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. When he was young, he played in the 1971 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. This is a big tournament for young hockey players.

He later played collegiate hockey for Northern Michigan University. While playing for the Northern Michigan Wildcats, Weeks was a star. He won the team's "most improved player" award in 1978. In 1980, he was named the team's "most valuable player." That same year, he won the CCHA Player of the Year Award. He was also part of the CCHA All Academic Team.

Starting with the New York Rangers

The New York Rangers chose Weeks in the 1978 NHL entry draft. He was the 176th player picked overall. Weeks became a professional player in 1980. He spent most of the 1980–81 season with the New Haven Nighthawks. This team was in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Weeks joined the Rangers for his NHL debut on April 2, 1981. He played against the strong New York Islanders. He only let in two goals in a close 2–1 loss. Weeks also played in a playoff game for the Rangers. He didn't let in any goals in 14 minutes against the Los Angeles Kings.

In the 1981–82 season, Weeks shared the net with other goalies. He got his first NHL shutout on January 13, 1982. This was a 2–0 win against the Minnesota North Stars. He led the Rangers with 23 wins that season. He helped the team reach the 1982 Stanley Cup playoffs. Weeks played well in the playoffs, even earning his first playoff win. However, the Rangers lost to the New York Islanders.

His playing time went down in the 1982–83 season. The Rangers got another goalie, Glen Hanlon. Weeks played in 18 games for the Rangers. He also played some games for the Tulsa Oilers in the Central Hockey League (CHL).

Weeks played more games for the Rangers in the 1983–84 season. He and Hanlon were the main goalies. On September 5, 1984, the Rangers traded Weeks to the Hartford Whalers.

Time with the Hartford Whalers

Weeks joined the Hartford Whalers as part of their new team plan. He became the backup goalie for the 1984–85 season. He played behind Greg Millen and then Mike Liut. The team started to do very well with Weeks and Liut. This time was called the "Whalermania" era. Weeks had two shutouts that season.

In the 1985–86 season, Weeks continued to back up Liut. The Whalers made it to the 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs. They beat the Quebec Nordiques in the first round. Then they faced the Montreal Canadiens. The series went to seven games, but the Whalers lost. The Canadiens went on to win the Stanley Cup that year. Weeks played in four playoff games.

Weeks played in 25 games during the 1986–87 season. The Whalers won their division. They played the Quebec Nordiques again in the playoffs. The Whalers lost the series, even though they won the first two games. Weeks played in one playoff game. In March 1988, the Whalers traded Weeks to the Vancouver Canucks.

Playing for the Vancouver Canucks

The Vancouver Canucks were having trouble with their goalies. They traded for Weeks to help. Weeks got to play more games with the Canucks. He played in nine games that season.

In the 1988–89 season, Weeks played in 35 games. This was his highest number of games since 1981–82. He was the main backup goalie for Kirk McLean. The Canucks made it to the 1989 Stanley Cup playoffs. Weeks played in three playoff games against the Calgary Flames. The Canucks lost the series in seven games.

In the 1989–90 season, Weeks played in 21 games. The Canucks did not make the playoffs that year. In the 1990–91 season, Weeks only played one game for Vancouver. He spent most of that season with the Milwaukee Admirals. On March 5, 1991, the Canucks traded Weeks to the Buffalo Sabres. After that season, he became a free agent.

Final Seasons in the NHL

Weeks joined the New York Islanders training camp in September 1991. He signed with the Islanders and became their backup goalie for the 1991–92 season. He played well in 23 games for the Islanders. On February 18, 1992, the Islanders traded Weeks to the Los Angeles Kings. Weeks finished the season with the Kings as a backup goalie.

After the season, Weeks became a free agent again. On June 16, 1992, he signed with the Washington Capitals. The Capitals later traded Weeks to the new team, the Ottawa Senators, on August 13, 1992.

In seven games with Ottawa in the 1992–93 season, Weeks struggled. He also played in the minor leagues for the New Haven Senators. Weeks announced he was retiring from the NHL in 1993.

International Hockey Career

Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
Silver	1985 Czechoslovakia

Weeks played for Canada at the 1985 World Ice Hockey Championships. These championships were held in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Weeks played in five games. He helped Canada win the silver medal.

Coaching Career

Hartford Whalers / Carolina Hurricanes

After he stopped playing, Weeks became a goaltending consultant for the Whalers in 1993. He stayed with the team until 2001. He worked as a goaltending coach and a scout. He was also an assistant coach for the Whalers in their last season, 1996–97. The team later moved and became the Carolina Hurricanes.

Atlanta Thrashers

Weeks was an assistant coach for the Atlanta Thrashers from 2001 to 2010. He was first hired on June 26, 2001. He stayed with the team through several head coaches. Weeks left the team when the head coach was fired on April 14, 2010.

Chicago Blackhawks

Weeks became the Chicago Blackhawks goaltending coach on August 12, 2013. He was fired by the Blackhawks on June 27, 2014.

Personal Life

Weeks was honored by Northern Michigan University in 1990. He was inducted into their hall of fame.

Career Statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and Honours