Kris Versteeg
Kris Versteeg was drafted 134th overall in the fifth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins. The Lethbridge, Alberta native played a total of four years in the WHL with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Kamloops Blazers and Red Deer Rebels. He made his professional debut in 2005-06, playing in 13 games with Boston’s AHL team, the Providence Bruins. He signed a three-year contract with Boston in June 2006 and started the 2006-07 season with Providence until he got traded in February, along with a conditional draft selection, to the Chicago Blackhawks for Brandon Bochenski. He spent the remainder of the season with Chicago’s AHL team, the Norfolk Admirals. He made his NHL debut on November 22nd, 2007 against the Calgary Flames and would play in 13 total games with the Blackhawks during that season. He spent most of the season with their new AHL team, the Rockford IceHogs, where he led his team with 6 post-season goals. He played his first full season with Chicago in 2008-09, where he led his team with 7 short-handed points and tied a franchise record by a rookie with 4 short-handed goals, which was previously set by Billy Gardner in 1981-82. He was named to the 2009 NHL YoungStars game, but didn’t play due to an injury. He recorded the first goal, and later added an assist at the 2009 Winter Classic, which was played outdoors at Wrigley Field against the Detroit Red Wings. He was named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team, leading all NHL rookies during the regular season with 31 assists and also led them in the playoffs with 8 assists and 12 points in 17 games. He was then named a finalist for the 2009 Calder Trophy, where he lost to Steve Mason. He signed a three-year contract with Chicago in July 2009. Versteeg has excellent offensive skills and is good in the defensive zone, but at only 5’10 and around 180 pounds, he’s a small player that needs to add strength to his game.
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