Kyle Chipchura

Kyle Douglas Glen Chipchura (born February 19, 1986) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He was selected in the first round, 18th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Chipchura also played for the Anaheim Ducks and Arizona Coyotes.

Kyle Chipchura
Born (1986-02-19) February 19, 1986 (age 38)
Westlock, Alberta, Canada
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight206 lb (93 kg; 14 st 10 lb)
PositionCentre
ShotLeft
Played forMontreal Canadiens
Anaheim Ducks
Arizona Coyotes
Kunlun Red Star
HC Slovan Bratislava
Severstal Cherepovets
NHL draft18th overall, 2004
Montreal Canadiens
Playing career2006–2020

Early life

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Chipchura was born in Westlock, Alberta. He played minor league hockey in nearby Legal and Westlock, and attended high school at R. F. Staples Secondary School and Carlton Comprehensive High School during his major junior career with the Prince Albert Raiders.

Playing career

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Chipchura with Kunlun Red Star in 2017

Chipchura began his major junior career with the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2002–03. Following his second season with the Raiders, he was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens. On March 25, 2006, Chipchura was signed to a three-year entry-level contract by the Canadiens and joined AHL affiliate the Hamilton Bulldogs to complete the 2005–06 season. In 2006–07, Chipchura remained with the Bulldogs. After posting 39 points in the regular season, Chipchura added a further 6 goals and 13 points in the playoffs to help Hamilton capture the Calder Cup.

In the 2007–08 season, Chipchura played his first NHL game on October 10, 2007. He netted his first goal later that month on October 20 against the Buffalo Sabres.

On December 2, 2009, Chipchura was traded to the Anaheim Ducks for a fourth-round pick in 2011.[1] Chipchura found a checking-line role within the Ducks and posted 6 goals and 6 games to finish out the 2009–10 season. His second season with the Ducks proved less successful, in struggling for a regular roster spot, Chipchura finished with just 2 assists in 40 games.

Released by the Ducks and granted free agency, Chipchura signed to a one-year contract with the Phoenix Coyotes on July 19, 2011.[2]

After five seasons within the Coyotes organization, Chipchura left the NHL as a free agent and signed his first contract abroad, agreeing to a one-year deal with Slovakian outfit HC Slovan Bratislava of the KHL on July 17, 2016.[3] Chipchura in his lone season with Bratislava in 2016–17, appeared in 59 games and posted 13 goals and 29 points.

Chipchura with the Anaheim Ducks fighting Shane O'Brien in 2009

On June 2, 2017, Chipchura continued in the KHL, moving to Chinese outfit HC Kunlun Red Star on a one-year deal.[4] At the conclusion of the 2017–18 season, having seen his production drop to just 11 points in 56 games, Chipchura opted to return to Slovan Bratislava as a free agent, agreeing to a one-year deal on July 17, 2018.[5]

International play

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Chipchura attended Team Canada's selection camp prior to the 2005 World Junior Championships and was expected to make the team despite being only 18 (players up to 20 years old are eligible for the tournament). During practice with the Raiders, however, he suffered a severed Achilles tendon and was not able to be selected as a member of the gold-medal-winning Canadian team.

The following year, Chipchura was invited to try out again for the 2006 World Junior Championships. After being selected for the Canadian team, Chipchura was named team captain by head coach Brent Sutter on December 16, 2005.[6] This made Chipchura the second Montreal Canadiens draft pick to ever wear the 'C' for Canada.[7]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2001–02Fort Saskatchewan Rangers AAAAMHL331536517917162036
2001–02Prince Albert RaidersWHL20000
2002–03Prince Albert RaidersWHL639213089
2003–04Prince Albert RaidersWHL64153348118624612
2004–05Prince Albert RaidersWHL281418323214471125
2005–06Prince Albert RaidersWHL5921345581
2005–06Hamilton BulldogsAHL81236
2006–07Hamilton BulldogsAHL801227395622671320
2007–08Montreal CanadiensNHL36471110
2007–08Hamilton BulldogsAHL3910112127
2008–09Montreal CanadiensNHL130335
2008–09Hamilton BulldogsAHL511421356563032
2009–10Montreal CanadiensNHL1900016
2009–10Anaheim DucksNHL55661256
2010–11Anaheim DucksNHL4002232
2011–12Phoenix CoyotesNHL533131642151347
2011–12Portland PiratesAHL84264
2012–13Arizona SundogsCHL10211134
2012–13Phoenix CoyotesNHL46591450
2013–14Phoenix CoyotesNHL805152045
2014–15Arizona CoyotesNHL704101482
2015–16Arizona CoyotesNHL70481238
2016–17Slovan BratislavaKHL5913162950
2017–18Kunlun Red StarKHL56561150
2018–19Slovan BratislavaKHL616142027
2019–20Severstal CherepovetsKHL70110
KHL totals183243761127
NHL totals4823173104376151347

International

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Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
2006 Vancouver
YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2003CanadaU184th51012
2004CanadaWJC184th732528
2006CanadaWJC 64150
Junior totals18831130

Awards and honours

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AwardYear
WHL
East Second All-Star Team2006

References

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  1. ^ "Ducks acquire Chipchura from Montreal". Anaheim Ducks. 2009-12-02. Retrieved 2010-05-09.
  2. ^ "Coyotes sign MacLean, Chipchura and Pouliot". Phoenix Coyotes. 2011-07-19. Retrieved 2014-01-15.
  3. ^ HC Slovan Bratislava (2016-07-17). "HC Slovan Bratislava sign Chipchura". Twitter. Retrieved 2016-07-17.
  4. ^ "KHL transfers for June 2" (in Russian). Kontinental Hockey League. 2017-06-02. Retrieved 2017-06-02.
  5. ^ "Kyle Chipchura returns to Slovan" (in Slovak). HC Slovan Bratislava. 2018-07-17. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
  6. ^ "World Junior Roster Finalized". TSN. 2005-12-16. Archived from the original on September 29, 2007. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
  7. ^ "Chipchura has golden touch for Canada". NHL.com. 2006-01-08. Retrieved 2017-03-26.
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Awards and achievements
Preceded by Montreal Canadiens first round draft pick
2004
Succeeded by