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 played part of the 1997–98 season with the Stoney Creek Warriors of the OHA Golden Horseshoe Jr.B and the Jr.A Burlington Cougars before being drafted by Don Cherry and the Mississauga IceDogs in the 17th round of the 1998 OHL Draft.

Bieksa made the Ice Dogs out of camp but decided to pursue an NCAA scholarship.

Bieksa began a three-year Junior A career with the Burlington Cougars of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) in 1997–98.

He recorded 37 points over 48 games in his second season with the Cougars and 33 points in his third.

Bieksa was drafted into the major junior Ontario Hockey League (OHL) by the Mississauga IceDogs, but opted to play college hockey in the NCAA instead.

In 2000–01, Bieksa joined the Bowling Green Falcons of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).

After a 13-point regular season in 35 games as a freshman, he helped the Falcons become the lowest-seeded team in League history (ninth) to advance to the CCHA semifinals.

He scored his team's lone goal in a 2–1 defeat to Michigan State University before the Falcons were eliminated.

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.

In the 2001 off-season, Bieksa was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks with the 151st pick in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

He returned to Bowling Green to complete his four-year college career after being drafted, recording 15 points in 2001–02.

Bieksa was named an alternate captain prior to his third season and subsequently improved to a college career-high eight goals and 25 points in 2002–03.

Bieksa was chosen by Falcons fans as the recipient of the W. G. Grinder's Grinder Award and was a co-recipient of the team's Jim Ruehl Award as the best defensive player with Jordan Sigalet.

He was also given his first of two consecutive honourable mentions as a CCHA All-Academic.

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.

Playing in his fourth and final college season in 2003–04, he scored seven goals and 22 points in 38 games, while leading his team in shots on goal.

He earned an honourable mention to the All-CCHA Team and received the Falcons' Howard Brown Award as the coaches' selection for best player.

Bieksa went on to appear in four games with the Moose to close out the 2003–04 season, notching two assists.

Following his college career, Bieksa signed an amateur tryout contract with the Manitoba Moose, the Canucks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, on March 24, 2004.

During his tryout, he was involved in an off-ice incident with teammate Fedor Fedorov.

According to then-Canucks general manager Brian Burke, several Moose players had gone out together when Bieksa accidentally spilled Fedorov's beer.

Bieksa apologized and offered to buy him another beer, but Fedorov challenged him to a fight outside of the establishment which Bieksa won with one punch.

When he heard about the incident, Burke said, he wanted to sign Bieksa the next day.

He remained with the Moose in 2004–05 and scored his first professional goal on the powerplay in a 3–2 shootout victory against the Cleveland Barons on November 11, 2004.

Bieksa finished his first full professional season with 12 goals and 39 points in 80 games.

He was chosen as the AHL Rookie of the Month for March after recording two goals, 11 points and a +11 rating in 13 games and was named to the AHL All-Rookie Team after his first full professional season.

His 39 points broke Kirill Koltsov's team mark of 32 for points by a defenceman, set the previous season.

Canucks assistant general manager Steve Tambellini lauded Bieksa for his quick adjustment and development from college hockey to the AHL.

During the campaign, he was given the nickname "Juice" by Moose goaltender Alex Auld, a moniker that continued into his NHL career with the Canucks.

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.

Bieksa grew up in Grimsby playing minor hockey for the local Jr. Peach Kings program of the OMHA's Niagara District BB-E league before graduating to the Stoney Creek Warriors of the OMHA South Central AAA League.

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.