Kevin Weekes
Encyclopedia
Kevin Weekes is a retired Canadian
professional ice hockey
goaltender
who most recently played for the New Jersey Devils
of the National Hockey League
(NHL). He is now a color commentator
on Hockey Night in Canada
, and a studio analyst
for NHL on the Fly
.
of the Ontario Hockey League
. He also had a brief stint with the Ottawa 67's
.
Chosen 41st overall by the Florida Panthers
in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
, he joined the team for the 1997–98 season, going 0–5–1 in 11 appearances for the Panthers. The following summer he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks
in a trade for Pavel Bure
and compiled a 6–15–5 record in 31 appearances over a season and a half before being traded to the New York Islanders
halfway through the 1999–2000 season. At the conclusion of that season he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning
, where he played until late in the 2001–02 season when he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes
.
He played in a tandem
with Arturs Irbe
, helping lead the Hurricanes to the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals
while recording two shutout
s in the playoffs, establishing a Hurricanes team record.
He signed with the New York Rangers
as a free agent prior to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, winning his first start with the Rangers on October 5, 2005, in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers
. His time with the Rangers looked to be promising until an injury kept him out and he lost his number one spot to Henrik Lundqvist
. Lundqvist came in to play in place of Weekes and played exceptionally well. Weekes remained in good spirits upon his healthy return to the team even though he had been bumped to the number two spot and back up to the rookie (Lundqvist). He became an unrestricted free agent following a less than stellar 2006–07 season. On July 5, 2007, he signed with the New Jersey Devils to serve as a backup to All-Star Martin Brodeur
. In the 08-09 season, Brodeur suffered an injury which sidelined him for almost the entire season. This left Weekes and Scott Clemmensen
battling for the number one spot. With the two battling, Weekes would again see himself in the playoffs with the team losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7 of the quarter finals.
Weekes announced his retirement from playing on September 27, 2009.
analyst in the sport of hockey. Weekes provides color commentary for NHL games on the NHL Network and Hockey Night in Canada. He has not ruled out a return to the NHL as a player. In The Hockey News
2011 edition of the 100 Most Powerful people in ice hockey, Weekes was considered one of the Top 40 under the age of 40.
to Canada
.
The reason that he sometimes wore jersey number
80 was he wanted to wear 00. However, the NHL does not allow a player to wear single or double zero jerseys. "Shady 80" chose the number that most closely resembled 00. Upon signing with the New Jersey Devils
, as a result of the team's policy of wearing jerseys 1–40 with exception of marquee players, Weekes was given jersey number 1.
Weekes wore 00 in junior hockey when he played for the Ottawa 67's.
A website, www.kevinweekes.com, is run by Weekes himself and provides fans with a list of charities which he honors by contributing to them.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goaltender
Goaltender
In ice hockey, the goaltender is the player who defends his team's goal net by stopping shots of the puck from entering his team's net, thus preventing the opposing team from scoring...
who most recently played for the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). He is now a color commentator
Color commentator
A color commentator is a sports commentator who assists the play-by-play announcer, often by filling in any time when play is not in progress. The color analyst and main commentator will often exchange comments freely throughout the broadcast, when the play-by-play announcer is not describing the...
on Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada is the branding used for CBC Sports' presentations of the National Hockey League...
, and a studio analyst
Sports commentator
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
for NHL on the Fly
NHL on the Fly
NHL on the Fly is the flagship show on the NHL Network in Canada and the United States. It carries instant updates and extended highlights of every game in the NHL that night. The show also includes live "look-ins" to games for a few minutes at a time. After all the scheduled games for an evening...
.
Player
Weekes' career began with the Owen Sound PlatersOwen Sound Platers
Owen Sound Platers was a name used for a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey League from 1989 to 2000, in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. In 2000, after the team was sold, new ownership renamed the team the Owen Sound Attack.-History:...
of the Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
. He also had a brief stint with the Ottawa 67's
Ottawa 67's
The Ottawa 67’s are a junior ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario. They have played in the Ontario Hockey League since 1967, Canada's centennial year. The current coach is Chris Byrne.-History:...
.
Chosen 41st overall by the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft
1993 NHL Entry Draft
The 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
, he joined the team for the 1997–98 season, going 0–5–1 in 11 appearances for the Panthers. The following summer he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
in a trade for Pavel Bure
Pavel Bure
Pavel Vladimirovich Bure is a retired Russian professional ice hockey right winger. Nicknamed "The Russian Rocket" for his speed, Bure played for 12 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
and compiled a 6–15–5 record in 31 appearances over a season and a half before being traded to the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
halfway through the 1999–2000 season. At the conclusion of that season he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
, where he played until late in the 2001–02 season when he was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center...
.
He played in a tandem
Tandem
Tandem is an arrangement where a team of machines, animals or people are lined up one behind another, all facing in the same direction....
with Arturs Irbe
Arturs Irbe
Artūrs Irbe is a former Soviet and Latvian professional ice hockey goaltender. He has played in the National Hockey League for the San Jose Sharks, Dallas Stars, Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets. He served as the goaltending coach for the Washington Capitals...
, helping lead the Hurricanes to the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals
2002 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2002 Stanley Cup Finals was contested by the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings and the Eastern Conference champion Carolina Hurricanes, making their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance. Detroit defeated Carolina in five games to win their tenth Stanley Cup championship...
while recording two shutout
Shutout
In team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
s in the playoffs, establishing a Hurricanes team record.
He signed with the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
as a free agent prior to the 2004–05 NHL lockout, winning his first start with the Rangers on October 5, 2005, in a game against the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. His time with the Rangers looked to be promising until an injury kept him out and he lost his number one spot to Henrik Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist
Henrik Lundqvist is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He was nominated for the Vezina Trophy in his first three seasons in the NHL, finishing third all three times, and is the only goaltender in NHL history to record 30 wins in...
. Lundqvist came in to play in place of Weekes and played exceptionally well. Weekes remained in good spirits upon his healthy return to the team even though he had been bumped to the number two spot and back up to the rookie (Lundqvist). He became an unrestricted free agent following a less than stellar 2006–07 season. On July 5, 2007, he signed with the New Jersey Devils to serve as a backup to All-Star Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur
Martin Pierre Brodeur is a French-Canadian ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils. In his 19-year tenure with the Devils, he has won three Stanley Cup championships and has been in the playoffs every year but two...
. In the 08-09 season, Brodeur suffered an injury which sidelined him for almost the entire season. This left Weekes and Scott Clemmensen
Scott Clemmensen
Scott Lee Clemmensen is an American professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently playing with the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League .-Playing career:...
battling for the number one spot. With the two battling, Weekes would again see himself in the playoffs with the team losing to the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 7 of the quarter finals.
Weekes announced his retirement from playing on September 27, 2009.
Career statistics
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | MIN | W | L | T/OTL | GA | SO | GAA Goals against average Goals Against Average is a statistic used in ice hockey, water polo, lacrosse, and soccer that is the mean of goals allowed per game by a goaltender.... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997–98 | Florida Panthers Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
11 | 485 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 32 | 0 | 3.96 |
| 1998–99 | Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
NHL | 11 | 532 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 34 | 0 | 3.83 |
| 1999–2000 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 20 | 986 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 47 | 1 | 2.86 |
| 1999–2000 | New York Islanders New York Islanders The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 36 | 2,025 | 10 | 20 | 4 | 115 | 1 | 3.41 |
| 2000–01 | Tampa Bay Lightning Tampa Bay Lightning The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the... |
NHL | 61 | 3,377 | 20 | 33 | 3 | 177 | 4 | 3.14 |
| 2001–02 | Tampa Bay Lightning | NHL | 19 | 829 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 40 | 2 | 2.89 |
| 2001–02 | Carolina Hurricanes Carolina Hurricanes The Carolina Hurricanes are a professional ice hockey team based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League , and play their home games at the 18,680-seat RBC Center... |
NHL | 2 | 119 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1.50 |
| 2002–03 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 51 | 2,965 | 14 | 24 | 9 | 126 | 5 | 2.55 |
| 2003–04 | Carolina Hurricanes | NHL | 66 | 3,764 | 23 | 30 | 11 | 146 | 6 | 2.33 |
| 2005–06 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
NHL | 32 | 1850 | 14 | 14 | 3 | 91 | 0 | 2.95 |
| 2006–07 | New York Rangers | NHL | 14 | 761 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 43 | 0 | 3.39 |
| 2007–08 | New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 9 | 343 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 0 | 2.97 |
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 16 | 795 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 2.42 |
| NHL totals | 348 | 18,042 | 98 | 158 | 39 | 871 | 19 | 2.90 | ||
Transactions
- January 17, 1999 - Traded from the Florida Panthers with Dave GagnerDave GagnerDavid R. Gagner is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and current Director of Player Development for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, Ed JovanovskiEd JovanovskiEdward Jovanovski is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman of Macedonian descent, an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League ....
, Mike Brown and conditional draft pick to the Vancouver Canucks for Pavel BurePavel BurePavel Vladimirovich Bure is a retired Russian professional ice hockey right winger. Nicknamed "The Russian Rocket" for his speed, Bure played for 12 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
, Bret HedicanBret HedicanBret Michael Hedican is a retired American professional ice hockey player and a two-time US Olympian.-Playing career:Hedican was drafted 198th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. A product of St. Cloud State University, Hedican made his NHL debut in the 1991–92 season with...
, Brad FerenceBrad FerenceBrad Ference is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player.-Playing career:Ference was drafted in the first round, 10th overall, of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks...
and conditional draft pick.
- December 19, 1999 - Traded from the Vancouver Canucks with Dave ScatchardDave ScatchardDave Scatchard is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre. He played in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Boston Bruins, Phoenix Coyotes, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues...
and Bill MuckaltBill MuckaltBill Muckalt is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Muckalt played in the National Hockey League for the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild from 1998 until 2003.-Playing career:...
to the New York Islanders for Félix PotvinFelix PotvinFélix "The Cat" Potvin is a former National Hockey League goaltender.-QMJHL career:From 1988 through to 1991 Potvin played with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens, a Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team...
, 2nd round pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft2000 NHL Entry DraftThe 2000 NHL Entry Draft was held from June 24 to 25 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, following the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft on June 23 for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild...
(Teemu LaineTeemu LaineTeemu Laine is a professional Finnish ice hockey player, currently with HC Dinamo Minsk in the Kontinental Hockey League.-Awards:* Finnish Champion with Jokerit in 2002....
) and 3rd pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft2000 NHL Entry DraftThe 2000 NHL Entry Draft was held from June 24 to 25 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, following the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft on June 23 for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild...
(Thatcher Bell).
- June 24, 2000 - Traded from the New York Islanders with Kristian KudrocKristian KudrocKristián Kudroč is a Slovak professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for Porin Ässät in the Finnish SM-liiga.-Playing career:...
and 2nd round pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft2001 NHL Entry DraftThe 2001 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 23–24, 2001 at the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise, Florida.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:...
to the Tampa Bay Lightning for 1st round pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft (Raffi TorresRaffi TorresRaphael "Raffi" Torres is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who currently plays for the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the New York Islanders fifth overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He has additionally played in the NHL for the Edmonton Oilers,...
), 4th round pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft (Vladimir GorbunovVladimir GorbunovVladimir Gorbunov is a Russian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the Kontinental Hockey League. He was selected by New York Islanders in the 4th round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.-External links:...
) and 7th round pick in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft (Ryan CaldwellRyan Caldwell (ice hockey)Ryan Caldwell is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for Ässät in the SM-liiga. During the 2005–06 season he played 2 games for the New York Islanders and 2 more in the 2007–08 season for the Phoenix Coyotes.Prior to his professional career, Caldwell was an All-American...
).
- March 5, 2002 - Traded from the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Carolina Hurricanes for Chris DingmanChris DingmanChristopher Dingman is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League with the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes and the Tampa Bay Lightning.-Playing career:...
and Shane WillisShane WillisShane Willis is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger.- Career :Willis was originally drafted by Tampa Bay 56th overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, but unable to come to terms, he re-entered the draft and was selected 88th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in the 1997 NHL Entry...
.
- August 26, 2004 - Signed with the New York Rangers as a free agent.
- July 5, 2007 - Signed with the New Jersey Devils as a free agent.
Broadcasting
Weekes made history in 2009, when he became the first blackBlack people
The term black people is used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups.Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as "black", and often social variables such as class, socio-economic status also plays a...
analyst in the sport of hockey. Weekes provides color commentary for NHL games on the NHL Network and Hockey Night in Canada. He has not ruled out a return to the NHL as a player. In The Hockey News
The Hockey News
The Hockey News, commonly abbreviated to THN, is a North American ice hockey magazine published by Transcontinental. The Hockey News was founded in 1947 by Ken McKenzie and Bill Côté, and has since been the most recognized hockey publication in North America...
2011 edition of the 100 Most Powerful people in ice hockey, Weekes was considered one of the Top 40 under the age of 40.
Personal
Weekes' parents emigrated from BarbadosBarbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The reason that he sometimes wore jersey number
Squad number
In team sports, the squad number, shirt number, jersey number, sweater number, uniform number or simply a number is the number worn on a player's uniform, to identify and distinguish each player from others wearing the same or similar uniforms...
80 was he wanted to wear 00. However, the NHL does not allow a player to wear single or double zero jerseys. "Shady 80" chose the number that most closely resembled 00. Upon signing with the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, as a result of the team's policy of wearing jerseys 1–40 with exception of marquee players, Weekes was given jersey number 1.
Weekes wore 00 in junior hockey when he played for the Ottawa 67's.
A website, www.kevinweekes.com, is run by Weekes himself and provides fans with a list of charities which he honors by contributing to them.