Kevin Bieksa
Kevin Francesco Bieksa (born June 16, 1981) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Bieksa started and played most of his career with the Vancouver Canucks and later played for the Anaheim Ducks. After a three-year career in the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) with the Burlington Cougars, Bieksa was awarded a scholarship to Bowling Green State University. He was a one-time All-CCHA honourable mention during his four-year tenure with the Falcons of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). He graduated from the university with a bachelor's degree (B.A.) in finance, and was a two-time CCHA All-Academic honourable mention in 2003 and 2004. Bieksa now co-hosts Hockey Night in Canada.
| Kevin Bieksa | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bieksa with the Vancouver Canucks in March 2012 | |||
| Born |
June 16, 1981 Grimsby, Ontario, Canada | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 197 lb (89 kg; 14 st 1 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for |
Vancouver Canucks Anaheim Ducks | ||
| National team | Canada | ||
| NHL Draft |
151st overall, 2001 Vancouver Canucks | ||
| Playing career | 2004–2018 | ||
Bieksa represented his country in the 2014 IIHF World Championship in Minsk, Belarus. He was selected as team captain and named 1 of 3 top players for Canada in the tournament. Bieksa represented Canada for the second time in his career at the 2018 Spengler Cup.
Selected 151st overall by the Canucks in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft he joined their minor league affiliate, the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League (AHL), upon graduating. He earned AHL All-Rookie Team honours in his first and only full season with the Moose, before joining the Canucks as a regular member in 2005–06.
He is known as a physical and aggressive two-way defenceman.