Kris Versteeg

At 37 years old, Kris Versteeg has this physical status:

Kristopher Royce Versteeg (born May 13, 1986) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger currently playing for HK Nitra in the Tipsport Liga.

He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 and 2015. Originally selected 134th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins, he played with the club's minor league affiliate, the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League (AHL), for parts of two seasons before being traded to the Blackhawks.

Versteeg continued playing in the AHL with the Blackhawks' affiliates until making his NHL debut during the 2007–08 season.

The following campaign, he received a nomination for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best rookie.

In his second full season with the Blackhawks, he helped the club win the Stanley Cup in 2010.

Following Chicago's Cup win, Versteeg played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Philadelphia Flyers and Florida Panthers before being traded back to Chicago during the 2013–14 season, winning the Stanley Cup again in 2015.

Personal life

Born in Lethbridge, Alberta, to Marilyn and Roy, Versteeg's grandparents Morris and Joanne also played an important role in his upbringing.

Versteeg has developed a reputation within the NHL for his habit of singing in public, as evidenced by his recitation of a portion of Fergie's "Glamorous" on Mouthpiece Sports, as well as performing an altered version of LMFAO's "Yes" during the Chicago Blackhawks' Stanley Cup victory parade, as well as many impromptu performances for fans and media throughout his career.

Versteeg is married with three children.

Versteeg's younger brother Mitch is currently a defenceman with the Ferencvárosi TC of the Erste Liga in Hungary.

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Playing career

Versteeg was drafted 134th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Boston Bruins, after a four-year Western Hockey League (WHL) career, including stints with the Lethbridge Hurricanes, Kamloops Blazers, and the Red Deer Rebels from 2002 to 2005. Brent Seabrook, the future Blackhawks teammate, played for Lethbridge during his three seasons. Versteeg made his professional debut in the final 13 games of the 2005–06 season with Boston's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Providence Bruins.

Versteeg remained with Providence from 2006 to 2007, before being traded by Boston on February 3, 2007, along with a conditional draft pick, to the Chicago Blackhawks for Brandon Bochenski. As a result, he moved within the AHL to the Norfolk Admirals, Chicago's minor league affiliate. In 2007, Versteeg joined the Rockford IceHogs as Chicago's AHL team switched to the Rockford IceHogs. He made his NHL debut in that season by playing 13 games, with two goals and two assists.

In 2008–09, Versteeg appeared for the Blackhawks for his first full season. He scored the first goal of the 2009 Winter Classic held at Wrigley Field against the Detroit Red Wings on January 1, 2009. Bobby Ryan of the Anaheim Ducks was named for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the year's rookie of the year, as well as Ryan and goaltender Steve Mason for their performances. Mason ended up winning the Calder.

Versteeg's entry-level deal came to an end in the 2008–09 season, making him a restricted free agent. (RFA). However, a clerical lapse in which the Blackhawks failed to submit qualifying offers to their pending RFAs by the league deadline fueled rumors that Versteeg and several of his teammates will become unrestricted free agents. As a result, the NHL Players' Union (NHLPA) lodged a lawsuit on behalf of the players. He resigned with the Blackhawks to a three-year deal, worth almost US$9 million shortly after.

In his second full NHL season, Versteeg's offensive output dropped, scoring 20 goals and 44 points in 79 games. He added 14 points in 22 games in the 2010 playoffs, leading the Blackhawks to a Stanley Cup championship and overthrowrowning the Philadelphia Flyers in the Finals. When engraved on the Stanley Cup, his name was originally mispelled "Kris Vertseeg," but was quickly corrected.

The Blackhawks were forced to release several players in the off-season, including Versteeg, due to salary cap restraints triggered by the aforementioned need to overpay their restricted free agents. He was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs along with the right to talk to prospect Bill Sweatt in exchange for forwards Viktor Stlberg, Chris DiDomenico, and Philippe Paradis on June 30, 2010. In a game against the Ottawa Senators on October 9, 2010, he scored against Pascal Leclaire, assisted on a goal, and beat Mike Fisher for his first Gordie Howe hat trick (a goal, an assist, and a brawl).

He was traded for the third time in his career on February 14, 2011, after scoring 35 points in 53 games with the Maple Leafs in 2010–11. In exchange for first-round and third-round draft picks, Toronto sent him to the Philadelphia Flyers. Versteeg joined the team that he helped defeat in the Stanley Cup Finals last season and scored seven goals to go with four assists through the remainder of the regular season. He scored one goal in the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Flyers' fourth and final game against the Boston Bruins, who lost by 5-1.

The Flyers traded Versteeg to the Florida Panthers for a second-round pick (either 2012 or 2013 — Florida's choice) and a third-round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. The transfer took place just a few hours after the Flyers revealed the signing of Jarom Jágr Jágr.

The Panthers traded Versteeg and Philippe Lefebvre, along with Philippe Lefebvre, to the Chicago Blackhawks for Jimmy Hayes and Dylan Olsen on November 14, 2013. Versteeg wore #23 on his return to the club since Versteeg's jersey #32, which he wore during his first stint with the club, was being worn by Michal Rozssival. Versteeg claimed his second Stanley Cup victory with the Chicago Blackhawks on June 15, 2015, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final.

Versteeg, along with Joakim Nordstrom, were both traded by the Blackhawks due to salary cap space restrictions, as well as a a 3rd round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft for a 5th round pick and two prospects. Marcus Kruger, who was re-signed the next day, was able to have more cap space open for him. Versteeg made the move to the Hurricanes in the year 2015-2016 and was heavily used on the club's top scoring lines throughout the year.

Versteeg was productive in 63 games before being drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Valentin Zykov and a conditional 5th round pick in 2016 (if Los Angeles made it to the 2016 Western Conference Finals, he failed). Acquired by the Kings for depth in their playoff run, the team would fail to make it deep, losing in the first round to the San Jose Sharks. Versteeg had 5 points in 14 games during his time with the Kings, while adding 2 more in the team's 5 playoff appearances.

Versteeg, a free agent for the Kings, decided to commit to a one-year contract with the SC Bern of the Swiss NLA on July 25, 2016. However, he continued to fail the medical exam in early September and, consequently, the deal was ended. Versteeg decided to join the Edmonton Oilers at their training camp on a professional tryout basis on September 9, 2016, continuing his career in the NHL.

Versteeg turned down a contract with the Oilers on October 11, 2016, opting instead to join provincial rivals the Calgary Flames in a one-year contract worth $900,000 in the NHL. Versteeg had a fruitful first season in Calgary, establishing himself as a key contributor to the powerplay. The team's eight goals with the man-advantage were the team's victory, while his 15 total goals were tied for fifth. Versteeg finished second in team scoring during the Flames' round-one series against the Anaheim Ducks, netting a goal and three assists as the Flames were swept in four games.

On June 29, 2017, Versteeg and Flames' leadership confirmed that they were committed to a one-year, $1.75 million deal. After suffering a hip injury on November 24, Versteeg played 24 games for the club before undergoing surgery on December 4.

Versteeg signed an overseas deal on September 1, 2018, joining the Kontinental Hockey League's Avangard Omsk. Versteeg played in just 11 games with Omsk, scoring 5 points, before deciding to leave the Swedish club, Växjö Lakers of the SHL, for the remainder of the season. Versteeg scored 11 points in 12 games at the tail end of the regular season. With 6 points in 7 games, he kept his scoring pace in the Lakers' post-season.

Versteeg left the team to return to North America at the end of the season. Versteeg has signed a one-year deal with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (AHL) and will be named team captain on April 22, 2019. He last played for the IceHogs in the 2007–08 season, when the team was still affiliated with the Blackhawks. After playing in just six games due to injuries, he announced on November 17, 2019.

Versteeg has signed a contract with his brother Mitch of the Tipsport liga, with the intention to play out the remainder of the season before retiring. On April 14, 2020, he announced that he did not play again.

Beyond Playing Career

Klevr.ai, a sports technology app that launched in 2021, was founded by Versteeg and his brothers.

Versteeg founded the VersSet Skills Camp, which takes place each summer in Taber, Alberta, with fellow professional hockey player Devin Setochi. The camp brings together hockey players aged 4 to 18. On-ice and off-ice training, conditioning, and skills development are all included. The camp's aim is to bring the game's passion to the younger generation of hockey players.

Versteeg, a passionate about helping youth participate in sports and giving them the tools and opportunities to succeed, raised $15,000 for Opokaa's In Early Intervention Society while competing on Battle of the Blades. Versteeg pledged his love for the organisation to his good friend Colton Yellowhorn and his upbringing in southern Alberta, where the country's largest treaty area is located in southern Alberta. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he also gave to struggling families in Southern Alberta to buy groceries and other essential items.

Versteeg is a regular contributor to Sportsnet Hockey Central and Sirius XM NHL Radio. He has earned notoriety for his bold views and insightful commentary on topics ranging from rule enforcement to player fashion sense.

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