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Chris Kunitz

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Chris Kunitz
Kunitz with the Tampa Bay Lightning in May 2018
Born (1979-09-26) September 26, 1979 (age 45)
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 188 lb (85 kg; 13 st 6 lb)
Position Left wing
Shot Left
Played for Anaheim Ducks
Atlanta Thrashers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Tampa Bay Lightning
Chicago Blackhawks
National team  Canada
NHL draft Undrafted
Playing career 2003–2019
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Men's ice hockey
Winter Olympics
Gold medal – first place 2014 Sochi
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2008 Canada

Christopher Kunitz (born September 26, 1979) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Anaheim Ducks (where he won his first Stanley Cup in 2007), Atlanta Thrashers, the Pittsburgh Penguins (where he won his second, third and fourth Stanley Cup in 2009, 2016 and 2017), Tampa Bay Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks.

Internationally, Kunitz won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Playing career

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College and junior

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Kunitz played Junior A in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) with the Melville Millionaires for two seasons before joining the NCAA college ranks with the Ferris State Bulldogs in 1999–00. After a 79-point campaign in his senior year, he was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in 2003 (given to Peter Sejna), the same year Ferris State made it to the Division I Regional Finals, just missing out on the Frozen Four. He was part of the first Ferris State team to make an NCAA Tournament appearance (now joined by the 2011–2012, 2013–14, 2015-16 squads).[1]

Professional

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Anaheim Ducks, brief stint in Atlanta and return to Anaheim

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Kunitz was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on April 1, 2003.[2] He split his professional rookie season between Anaheim and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks. After spending the 2004–05 NHL lock-out with Cincinnati, he was picked up on waivers by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2005–06.[3] Two weeks later, however, he was re-claimed off waivers by the Ducks and went on to play 67 games with them, scoring 19 goals and adding 22 assists for 41 points, surpassing Paul Kariya's club record 39-point rookie season in 1994–95 (Kunitz still qualified as a first-year player because he did not play the minimum required games with Anaheim in 2003–04 to register as his NHL rookie season; the record was broken the following season by Dustin Penner's 45 points).[3]

Kunitz at the lip of Roberto Luongo's crease in September 2006

In the 2006–07 NHL season, Kunitz improved to 25 goals and 60 points. He went on to help the Ducks advance through the playoffs, past the Minnesota Wild, Vancouver Canucks, and Detroit Red Wings, en route to a Finals victory against the Ottawa Senators to capture both his and the franchise's first Stanley Cup championship. Kunitz had been injured during the semi-finals against the Red Wings, but returned late in the Stanley Cup Finals against Ottawa to help clinch the championship in game five.

Kunitz in June 2017. He hoisted the Stanley Cup for the fourth time in 2017.

The next season, in 2007–08, Kunitz was named one of the team's alternate captains, his first time with the Ducks and his professional career. In regards to Kunitz' new position, Ducks head coach Randy Carlyle explained, "Rob Niedermayer was an alternate last year and did a fine job, and we thought it was important to involve our younger players in the leadership role. Chris Kunitz fit that role."."[4] Kunitz's production dipped to 50 points that season.

Pittsburgh Penguins

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In the midst of another slow season in 2008–09, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins along with prospect Eric Tangradi for defenceman Ryan Whitney. The move was also precipitated by a need for secondary scoring on the Penguins behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. During the 2009 playoffs, he recorded 1 goal and 13 assists as the Pittsburgh Penguins won the Stanley Cup in a rematch of the previous year's Stanley Cup Finals against the Detroit Red Wings, giving Kunitz his second championship in three years.

On November 6, 2010, Kunitz played his 400th career game and recorded a goal in that game against the Phoenix Coyotes. On March 15, 2016, he played his 800th career game and recorded a goal against the New York Islanders.[5] In the 2016 Playoffs, he recorded 4 goals and 8 assists for 12 points, as the Penguins went to defeat the San Jose Sharks in six games in 2016. It would be Kunitz's third Stanley Cup of his career, his second with the Pens. Since 2010, he has been a regular member of the Penguins' top lines with Evgeni Malkin and/or Sidney Crosby. On May 25, 2017, Kunitz sent the Penguins to the Stanley Cup Finals with a double overtime game winner in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals versus the Ottawa Senators. This would later become Kunitz's last career playoff goal. He became the oldest player to score a game 7 playoff series winning goal at the age 37. The Penguins faced off against the Nashville Predators in the 2017 Finals, defeating them in six games to successfully defend the Stanley Cup, with Kunitz assisting on the series-winning goal. This marked Kunitz's fourth Stanley Cup of his career, and his third as a member of the Penguins.[6]

Tampa Bay Lightning

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On July 1, 2017, Kunitz left the Penguins as a free agent and signed a one-year, $2 million, contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning.[7] The Lightning announced through its social media account that Kunitz would wear the #14.[8] Kunitz had previously worn the number with the Penguins and the Ducks. Kunitz recorded 13 goals and 29 points during the season, but just one assist in the playoffs as the Lightning lost in the Eastern Conference Final to the eventual champion Washington Capitals in 7 games.

Chicago Blackhawks

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Kunitz with the Blackhawks in January 2019

On July 1, 2018, Kunitz signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Chicago Blackhawks. He played 56 games and had 5 goals and 10 points.[9]

On July 30, 2019, Kunitz announced his retirement from professional hockey after 15 seasons. He joined the Blackhawks' organization as a player development adviser as well as the coaching staff of their American League affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs.[10]

International play

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Kunitz made his international hockey debut for Team Canada at the 2008 World Hockey Championships.[11] He contributed 7 points in 9 games, helping Canada to a silver medal. On January 7, 2014, he was named to the 2014 Canadian Olympic Hockey Team.

Personal life

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Kunitz attended Michael A. Riffel High School in northwest Regina, graduating in 1997. Ten years after his graduation, he brought the Stanley Cup back to Riffel in July 2007 when he had his day with the trophy. He also took the Stanley Cup back to his college town (Big Rapids, Michigan) on the same day.[12] On August 11, 2009, Kunitz brought the trophy back to Regina and had a larger celebration in the city's downtown. Kunitz admitted that during his first visit, he had a low-key celebration at Riffel as a result of teammate Ryan Getzlaf's profile.

Kunitz married Chicago-native Maureen Pfeiffer in July 2008. The couple reside with their three children in Chicago. Kunitz and his family lived in the Bridgeville area of Pittsburgh during his tenure with the Penguins.[13][14] [citation needed]

Kunitz earned a degree in marketing and business from Ferris State University.

Career statistics

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Kunitz with Sidney Crosby receiving the Prince of Wales Trophy in 2017. Kunitz scored the series winning goal in the second overtime of game seven to send the Penguins to the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals.

Regular season and playoffs

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    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1996–97 Yorkton Mallers AAA SMHL 64 38 38 76 233 — — — — —
1997–98 Melville Millionaires SJHL 60 30 27 57 151 — — — — —
1998–99 Melville Millionaires SJHL 63 57 32 89 222 4 4 1 5 19
1999–2000 Ferris State Bulldogs CCHA 38 20 9 29 70 — — — — —
2000–01 Ferris State Bulldogs CCHA 37 16 13 29 81 — — — — —
2001–02 Ferris State Bulldogs CCHA 35 28 10 38 68 — — — — —
2002–03 Ferris State Bulldogs CCHA 42 35 44 79 56 — — — — —
2003–04 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim NHL 21 0 6 6 12 — — — — —
2003–04 Cincinnati Mighty Ducks AHL 59 19 25 44 101 9 3 2 5 24
2004–05 Cincinnati Mighty Ducks AHL 54 22 17 39 71 12 1 7 8 20
2005–06 Atlanta Thrashers NHL 2 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2005–06 Mighty Ducks of Anaheim NHL 67 19 22 41 69 16 3 5 8 8
2005–06 Portland Pirates AHL 5 0 4 4 12 — — — — —
2006–07 Anaheim Ducks NHL 81 25 35 60 81 13 1 5 6 19
2007–08 Anaheim Ducks NHL 82 21 29 50 80 6 0 2 2 8
2008–09 Anaheim Ducks NHL 62 16 19 35 55 — — — — —
2008–09 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 20 7 11 18 16 24 1 13 14 19
2009–10 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 50 13 19 32 39 13 4 7 11 8
2010–11 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 66 23 25 48 47 6 1 0 1 6
2011–12 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 82 26 35 61 49 6 2 4 6 8
2012–13 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 48 22 30 52 39 15 5 5 10 6
2013–14 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 78 35 33 68 66 13 3 5 8 16
2014–15 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 74 17 23 40 56 5 1 2 3 8
2015–16 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 80 17 23 40 41 24 4 8 12 15
2016–17 Pittsburgh Penguins NHL 71 9 20 29 36 20 2 9 11 27
2017–18 Tampa Bay Lightning NHL 82 13 16 29 35 17 0 1 1 16
2018–19 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 56 5 5 10 23 — — — — —
NHL totals 1,022 268 351 619 746 178 27 66 93 164

International

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Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2008 Canada WC 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 9 2 5 7 4
2014 Canada OG 1st place, gold medalist(s) 6 1 0 1 6
Senior totals 15 3 5 8 10

Awards and honours

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Awards Year
College
All-CCHA First Team 2001–02 [15]
All-CCHA First Team 2002–03 [15]
AHCA West First-Team All-American 2002–03
CCHA All-Tournament Team 2003 [16]
NHL
Stanley Cup champion 2007, 2009, 2016, 2017 [17][18]
First All-Star Team 2013

References

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  1. ^ "Ferris State Press Release".
  2. ^ "Ducks Sign Hobey Baker Finalist Chris Kunitz". Anaheim Mighty Ducks. April 1, 2003. Archived from the original on August 20, 2003. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Mighty Ducks Claim Chris Kunitz Off Waivers". Anaheim Mighty Ducks. October 18, 2005. Archived from the original on December 24, 2005. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  4. ^ "Anaheim Ducks name Chris Pronger Team Captain". Ducks Wire. September 28, 2007. Retrieved September 28, 2007.
  5. ^ "Kunitz no Hossa, but still helps the Pens". ESPN. February 26, 2009. Retrieved February 26, 2009.
  6. ^ "2017 Stanley Cup Championship Notes". NHL.com. June 12, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  7. ^ "Kunitz signs with Lightning". National Hockey League. July 1, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  8. ^ @TBLightning (July 18, 2017). "Chris Kunitz will wear No. 14 with the #Bolts. " (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. ^ "Blackhawks agree to terms with three". Chicago Blackhawks. July 1, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  10. ^ "RELEASE: Chris Kunitz to join Blackhawks coaching staff". Chicago Blackhawks. July 30, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  11. ^ "Getzlaf, Kunitz Named to Team Canada". Anaheim Ducks. May 2, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2008.
  12. ^ "Stanley Cup Journal". Hockey Hall of Fame. August 7, 2007. Archived from the original on May 25, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2007.
  13. ^ "Meet the Ducks! (Part 2)". rootzoo.com. July 23, 2008. Archived from the original on November 30, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
  14. ^ "Pittsburgh Penguins 2010 Media Guide" (PDF). Pittsburgh Penguins. October 1, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 6, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2010.
  15. ^ a b "All-CCHA Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved July 27, 2013.
  16. ^ "2012–13 CCHA Media Guide". ISSUU.com. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  17. ^ "Penguins win Stanley Cup, defeat Sharks in Game 6". National Hockey League. June 12, 2016. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  18. ^ "Penguins repeat as Stanley Cup champions". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. June 11, 2017. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by CCHA Player of the Year
2002–03 		Succeeded by
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