Kevin Bieksa
Kevin Bieksa played four years of college hockey at Bowling Green University. After his freshman year he was drafted by the Canucks with the 151st pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. After Bieksa's college career was over, he made his professional debut with the Manitoba Moose late in the 2003-2004 season. In the 2004-2005 season, he played the entire year with the Moose, playing in 80 games and registering 39 points. In the 2005-2006 year, Bieksa once again began the season with the Moose, but after a solid start he was called up by the Canucks in December.
Bieksa's first full season in Vancouver was an impressive one, good enough to get him signed to a lucrative multi-year contract making him one of the team's highest paid defenders. He is defensively responsible and finished 2006-2007 with 42 points in 81 games.
Bieksa has good size and good timing, making him a reliable player defensively. He showed some offensive spark last season, too, unleashing a great shot from the point that made him a unique and surprising power play threat. Bieksa could be Vancouver's best defender.
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