Kevin Bahl

Last updated
Kevin Bahl
Kevin Bahl 2023 12 07.jpg
Bahl during a game in 2023
Born (2000-06-27) June 27, 2000 (age 23)
New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Height 6 ft 6 in (198 cm)
Weight 229 lb (104 kg; 16 st 5 lb)
Position Defence
Shoots Left
NHL team New Jersey Devils
NHL Draft 55th overall, 2018
Arizona Coyotes
Playing career 2021–present

Kevin Bahl (born June 27, 2000) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). Bahl was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2nd round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft while playing major junior ice hockey with the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Contents

Personal life

Bahl was born on June 27, 2000, in New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada [1] to father Jonathan. [2] His younger sister Kristina also plays ice hockey and has represented Team Canada at the international level. [3] Although he was born in British Columbia, the family had moved to Mississauga by the time his sister was born. [4] While growing up in Mississauga, Bahl originally preferred to play soccer but switched to ice hockey after a head-on-head collision with another player during a game. [5] Once he became serious about the sport, Bahl trained at the Canadian Ice Academy. [6]

Playing career

Amateur

Growing up in Mississauga, Bahl played for the Toronto Marlboros in the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). During the 2015–16 season, Bahl tallied 10 goals and 28 assists for 38 points through 63 games. At the end of the season, Bahl was drafted in the second round, 31st overall, by the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). [7] Bahl made his debut for the 67s as a 16-year-old rookie during the 2016–17 season as a result of injuries to their lineup. [8] He scored his first OHL goal against the Kingston Frontenacs on November 30, 2016. [9] Bahl quickly established himself as a mainstay in the Ottawa lineup, with physicality and responsible defensive zone play. He finished his rookie season with one goal and three assists through 57 regular-season games. [8] He also received the team's Rookie Of The Year award. [10] As the team tried to place most of its players in the city, Bahl was enrolled at Blyth Academy while in high school. [11]

During the 2017 offseason, Bahl earned a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. [12] Before the start of the 2017–18 season, the 67s made numerous personnel changes including hiring André Tourigny as their new head coach. [13] Entering his sophomore season, Bahl was considered a player to watch and was expected to have a breakout season. [14] He began the season strong by recording eight assists through his first 17 games. [15] He was subsequently named to Team OHL for the 2017 CIBC Canada Russia Summit Series. [16] Off the ice, Bahl received the OHL East Division Academic Player of the Month for October after he maintained an 86% average in his grade 12 University level coursework. [15] In late January, it was revealed that Bahl was ranked #30 among all draft-eligible player in the NHL Central Scouting Bureau's Midterm Rankings. [17] He was selected for Team Orr at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects game, where he tallied a goal and an assist. [18] On February 8, Bahl served a 10 game suspension after he checked a player in the head during a game against the Peterborough Petes. [19] As the season continued, Bahl set new career-highs in assists and points to move his NHL Draft ranking up one spot to #29. [20] While participating at the NHL Combine, Bahl had 23 interviews with NHL team who were considering drafting him. [21] He was eventually drafted 55th overall by the Arizona Coyotes in the second round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. [22]

After being drafted, Bahl participated in the Coyotes' Development and Rookie Camp before rejoining the Ottawa 67s for the 2018–19 season. [23] He began the season by accumulating two goals and four assists for six points through 11 games and was selected to participate in the 2018 CIBC Canada Russia Summit Series. [24] Bahl continued to improve offensively throughout the season while playing on the 67s top pair with Noel Hoefenmayer. Bahl later credited his success to the Ottawa coaches and Coyotes Development coach Alex Henry. [25] He finished the season with six goals and 28 assists through 68 games to rank third-best in the league. [8] His improvements offensively also helped the 67s set a franchise record for regular season points with 106. [26] Prior to the start of the 2019 OHL Playoffs, Bahl signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Coyotes. [27] During their postseason run, Bahl and the 67s outscored opponents 47-20 in their first eight playoff games. He finished the playoffs with one goal and 10 assists for 11 points through 15 games. [25] His first career playoff goal came against the Sudbury Wolves in Game 1 of the Second Round. [28]

During his final season of junior hockey in the 2019–20 season, Bahl was on pace for the best numbers of his career. When the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bahl had recorded six goals and 25 assists through 54 games. [8] On December 16, 2019, Bahl was included by the Coyotes in a trade along with Nick Merkley, Nate Schnarr, a conditional first-round pick in 2020, and a conditional third-round pick in 2021 to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Taylor Hall and Blake Speers. [29]

Professional

Upon concluding his major junior career, Bahl participated in the Devils' abbreviated training camp before reporting to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Binghamton Devils, to start the 2020–21 season. [30] He tallied five points through 26 games before being recalled to the NHL level on April 29. [31] He subsequently made his NHL debut that night and was plus-1 with three hits and a blocked shot in 15:01 of ice time against the Philadelphia Flyers. [32] Bahl recorded his first career NHL point, an assist, in his second career game on May 1, against the Flyers. [33] When speaking about his rookie season, Bahl praised the experience he gained and focused on improving his play during the summer. [34] He finished the season with two assists and 18 hits while averaging 16:55 in ice time in seven games with the New Jersey Devils. At the AHL level, he had accumulated one goal and four assists for five points through 27 games. [35]

Bahl returned to the New Jersey Devils Development Camp but was re-assigned to their new AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets, for the 2021–22 season after a poor showing at training camp. [36] He accumulated two assists through 19 games before being recalled to the NHL level on December 13. [37] After being re-assigned to the AHL in early January, [38] Bahl stepped more into his shutdown defenceman role. He added eight assists and two goals through 17 more games as the Comets led the Eastern Conference with a 28–9–5–0 record. [39] By April 1, Bahl ranked third among team defencemen with 16 points through 51 games and third among league defencemen with a +17 rating. [40]

Personal life

Bahl's sister, Kristina, played college ice hockey for St. Lawrence University. [41] [42]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
2015–16 Toronto Marlboros GTHL 569273633—————
2016–17 Ottawa 67's OHL 571345360000
2017–18 Ottawa 67'sOHL58117187650004
2018–19 Ottawa 67'sOHL68628348715110118
2019–20 Ottawa 67'sOHL546253183—————
2020–21 Binghamton Devils AHL 2714512—————
2020–21 New Jersey Devils NHL 70220—————
2021–22 Utica Comets AHL543131652500010
2021–22 New Jersey DevilsNHL1713410—————
2022–23 Utica CometsAHL30112—————
2022–23 New Jersey DevilsNHL42268351101131
2023–24 New Jersey DevilsNHL821101182—————
NHL totals148421251271101131
Medal record
Representing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2020 Czech Republic

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2016 Canada Red U17 6th50116
2017 Canada IH18 Gold medal icon.svg51126
2018 Canada U18 5th51232
2020 Canada WJC Gold medal icon.svg70116
Junior totals2225720

Awards and honours

AwardYear
OHL
Second All-Star Team 2020

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brendan Bell (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Brendan Bell is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Bell was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 3rd round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

Robert David Smith is a Canadian professional ice hockey executive and former player. Smith was the majority owner of the Halifax Mooseheads junior hockey team for twenty years until February 2023. He played for the Minnesota North Stars and Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played in four Stanley Cup Finals and won the 1986 Stanley Cup with the Canadiens. Smith was born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, but grew up in Ottawa, Ontario.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Wilson (ice hockey)</span> Ice hockey player from Canada

Douglas Frederick Wilson is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman, who later served as general manager of the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League, and is currently Senior Advisor of Hockey Operations with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He won the 1984 Canada Cup with Team Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Bolland</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1986)

David D. Bolland is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Bissonnette</span> Canadian ice hockey player and analyst

Paul Albert Bissonnette, nicknamed "Biz Nasty", is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Phoenix Coyotes.

David William Cameron is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former professional player. He is currently the head coach of the Ottawa 67's of the Ontario Hockey League. He was previously the head coach of the Vienna Capitals of the Erste Bank Eishockey Liga (EBEL) and the head coach of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL) from December 2014 until the conclusion of the 2015–16 season. He also played in the NHL as a forward with the Colorado Rockies and New Jersey Devils between 1981 and 1984.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mikkel Bødker</span> Danish ice hockey player (born 1989)

Mikkel Bødker is a Danish former professional ice hockey right winger. He was selected eighth overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, making him the highest-ever drafted Danish player. He also featured on the cover of the video game NHL 10 in Denmark and Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taylor Hall</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1991)

Taylor Hall is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was the first overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft selected by the Edmonton Oilers. He has previously played for the Oilers, New Jersey Devils, Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins.

The 2010–11 OHL season was the 31st season of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Twenty teams, divided into the Eastern and Western Conferences, played 68 games each during the regular season schedule, which started on September 23, 2010 and ended on March 20, 2011. The playoffs began on March 24, 2011 and ended on May 15, 2011, with the Owen Sound Attack winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup, and a berth in the 2011 Memorial Cup, hosted by the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors of the OHL in Mississauga, Ontario.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Thomas (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Christian Patrick Thomas is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for HC Bozen-Bolzano of the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL). Thomas played junior hockey for the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). Christian Thomas was drafted 40th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2nd round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Thomas made his National Hockey League (NHL) debut with the Rangers on February 23, 2013. He is the son of former NHL player Steve Thomas.

The 2012–13 OHL season was the 33rd season of the Ontario Hockey League. The Mississauga St. Michael's Majors were sold during the off-season. As part of the sale, the "St. Michael's Majors" name was returned to St. Michael's College School. The new name of the team will be the Mississauga Steelheads. The Brampton Battalion announced during the season that this would be their last season in Brampton and will relocate to North Bay, Ontario for the 2013–14 OHL season. Twenty teams played 68 games each during the regular season schedule, which began in September 2012 and ended in March 2013. The London Knights won their second consecutive J. Ross Robertson Cup and third in franchise history, and with it a berth in the 2013 Memorial Cup hosted by the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travis Konecny</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1997)

Travis Konecny is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and alternate captain for the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Flyers selected him in the first round, 24th overall, of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jakob Chychrun</span> American-Canadian ice hockey player (born 1998)

Jakob Chychrun is an American–Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 16th overall by the Arizona Coyotes at the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dylan Strome</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1997)

Dylan William Strome is a Canadian professional ice hockey center for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). Ahead of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Strome was considered a top prospect, and was selected third overall by the Arizona Coyotes. He has also played for the Chicago Blackhawks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawson Crouse</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1997)

Lawson Crouse is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger for the Utah NHL team of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was part of the Canadian gold medal-winning team at the 2015 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Crouse was draft in the first round by the Florida Panthers in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and was traded to the Arizona Coyotes in August 2016. He is also nicknamed 'The Sheriff' by the team and fans for his tough, physical play.

The 2019–20 OHL season was the 40th season of the Ontario Hockey League, in which twenty teams were scheduled to playing 68 games each according to the regular season schedule, from September 19, 2019 to March 22, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in North America, the regular season was suspended on March 12, 2020, and cancelled six days later.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shane Wright (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 2004)

Shane Wright is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre for the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL). Projected as the likely first overall pick leading up to the 2022 NHL Entry draft, Wright was selected fourth overall by the Seattle Kraken.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noel Hoefenmayer</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1999)

Noel Hoefenmayer is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Bakersfield Condors in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Graeme Clarke</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Graeme Clarke is an American-born Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Devils in the third round, 80th overall, of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logan Morrison (ice hockey)</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 2002)

Logan Morrison is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL).

References

  1. ↑ "Kevin Bahl". Elite Prospects. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  2. ↑ Wheeler, Scott (December 31, 2019). "There's more to Devils prospect Kevin Bahl than meets the eye". The Athletic. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  3. ↑ Amundson, Quinton (August 10, 2019). "JUST LIKE MY BIG BROTHER". Hockey Canada. Archived from the original on February 4, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Kristina Bahl". Elite Prospects. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  5. ↑ Vest, Dave (June 27, 2018). "Bahl Working on Speed to Complement Size". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Alumni". Canadian Ice Academy. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  7. ↑ "67's Anchor Future with Signing of Five Draft Picks". Ottawa 67s. June 20, 2016. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Maki, Brandon (April 1, 2022). "Where Are The Now: Kevin Bahl". Ottawa 67s. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  9. ↑ "67's pick up point in overtime loss to Frontenacs". Ottawa 67s. November 30, 2016. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  10. ↑ "67's held their annual year-end awards ceremony". Ottawa 67s. April 7, 2017. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  11. ↑ Baines, Tim (February 26, 2017). "67's fall to seventh place after 5-4 loss". Ottawa Citizen. Archived from the original on March 24, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Seven OHL Players Win Gold with Canada at 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup". Ontario Hockey League. August 12, 2017. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Ottawa 67's hire James Boyd as GM, Andre Tourigny as coach". Sportsnet. June 13, 2017. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Red, White and Black: Three players to watch this season". Ottawa 67s. September 21, 2017. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  15. 1 2 "OHL Academic Players for October". Ontario Hockey League. November 2, 2017. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  16. ↑ "67's defenceman Kevin Bahl to feature in Canada Russia Series". Ottawa 67s. October 18, 2017. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Six 67's crack Top-100 in NHL Central Scouting's Midterm Rankings". Ottawa 67s. January 23, 2018. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  18. ↑ Colpitts, Iain (January 31, 2018). "Mississauga-raised defencemen shine at CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game". Mississauga News. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  19. ↑ "OHL suspends Ottawa 67's Kevin Bahl". Waterloo Chronicle. February 9, 2018. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  20. ↑ "NHL Draft Preview: Kevin Bahl". Ottawa 67s. May 22, 2018. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  21. ↑ "67's Represented at NHL Combine". Ottawa 67s. June 6, 2018. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  22. ↑ Vest, Dave (June 23, 2018). "Coyotes Add Eight Players to Mix on Draft's Second Day". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  23. ↑ "3 Players to Watch at the 67's Home Opener". Ottawa 67s. September 19, 2018. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  24. ↑ "67's Keating, Bahl selected to Team OHL ahead of Canada/Russia series". Ottawa 67s. October 17, 2018. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  25. 1 2 Vest, Dave (April 17, 2019). "Name to Know: Kevin Bahl". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  26. ↑ "67's post franchise record 106 points". Ontario Hockey League. March 21, 2019. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Coyotes Sign Bahl to Entry-Level Contract". National Hockey League. March 15, 2019. Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  28. ↑ "67's draw first blood with 8-5 win over Wolves". Ottawa 67s. April 5, 2019. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Coyotes Acquire Hall From New Jersey". NHL.com. December 16, 2019. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  30. ↑ Robinson, Peter (March 17, 2021). "PROSPECT WATCH: Bahl Keeps Growing". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Devils' Kevin Bahl: Making NHL debut". CBS Sports. April 29, 2021. Archived from the original on September 22, 2022. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  32. ↑ Morreale, Mike G. (April 29, 2021). "Sharangovich, Devils eliminate Flyers from playoff contention". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  33. ↑ Kasan, Sam (May 1, 2021). "GAME STORY: Devils 4, Flyers 1". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  34. ↑ Wescott, Chris (May 11, 2021). "FEATURE: Devils Young Defenders Have Growth Mindset". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  35. ↑ Morreale, Mike G. (August 18, 2021). "Devils bolster defensemen with additions of Hamilton, Graves". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  36. ↑ Kasan, Sam (December 13, 2021). "Studenic, Bahl Get Chance Due to Protocols". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  37. ↑ Kasan, Sam (December 13, 2021). "Studenic, Bahl Recalled to New Jersey". National Hockey League. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  38. ↑ "COMETS HOST WOLFPACK SATURDAY". Utica Comets. January 8, 2022. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  39. ↑ Williams, Patrick (February 18, 2022). "Weekend notebook: Bahl, Comets ready for latest test with Amerks". American Hockey League. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  40. ↑ Davidson, Spencer (April 1, 2022). "Comets defenseman Bahl awestruck by "Army" of support and passion of Utica fans". WKTV. Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  41. ↑ Amundson, Quinton (August 10, 2019). [St. Lawrence Saints women's ice hockey "Just Like My Big Brother"]. hockeycanada.ca. Hockey Canada . Retrieved April 24, 2024.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  42. ↑ Martindale, Brooke (November 2, 2023). "Athlete of the Week: Kristina Bahl '24". thehillnews.org. The Hill News. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.