Ken Klee

Last updated
Ken Klee
Ken Klee.jpg
Klee with PWHL Minnesota in 2024
Born (1971-04-24) April 24, 1971 (age 53)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st 0 lb)
Position Defense
Shot Right
Played for Washington Capitals
Toronto Maple Leafs
New Jersey Devils
Colorado Avalanche
Atlanta Thrashers
Anaheim Ducks
Phoenix Coyotes
National teamFlag of the United States.svg  United States
NHL draft 177th overall, 1990
Washington Capitals
Playing career 1992–2009

Kenneth William Klee (born April 24, 1971) is an American ice hockey coach and former professional defenseman who played most notably with the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League (NHL). He is currently the head coach of the Minnesota Frost of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).

Contents

Early life

Klee was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. The son of a project engineer whose job required frequent moves, he spent portions of his childhood in Indianapolis, Denver, Colorado, and Kansas City, Missouri, before moving to Toronto and the St. Michael's Buzzers on a hockey scholarship as a 17-year-old. [1]

Playing career

Klee was drafted 177th overall by the Washington Capitals in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft. Klee would not play for the Capitals until the 1994–95 season, but it did not take him long to become a regular on the squad. Klee played with the Capitals until the end of the 2002–03 season. Klee had played in Washington for 9 seasons, and played in 604 games (regular season and playoffs) when he then became a free agent and signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs on September 27, 2003.

In Klee's first season in Toronto, he registered career highs in assists (25) and points (29) despite missing 16 games. On March 8, 2006, a day before the NHL's trading deadline, Klee was traded by the struggling Maple Leafs to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for winger Alexander Suglobov. On July 24, 2006, Klee signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche as a free agent for the 2006–07 season. [2] Klee finished the season leading the Avalanche with a plus/minus of 18. On July 2, 2007, Klee signed a two-year contract with the Atlanta Thrashers. [3]

Klee with the Avalanche in 2006 Klee2.jpeg
Klee with the Avalanche in 2006

On September 26, 2008, into the final year of his contract with the Thrashers, Klee was dealt along with Brad Larsen and Chad Painchaud to the Anaheim Ducks for defenseman Mathieu Schneider. [4] After starting the 2008–09 season with the Ducks, Klee was claimed off re-entry waivers by the Phoenix Coyotes on October 28, 2008. [5] After playing out the season with the Coyotes and becoming a free agent, Klee unofficially announced his retirement. [6]

Though not known as a goal scorer, 13 of his 55 career goals were game-winning goals, the highest percentage in NHL history.

International play

Klee represent United States at the 1991 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and senior level at the 1992 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships, 1997 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships and also at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

Coaching career

Klee was the head coach for the U.S. squad that finished second during his first Four Nations Cup in 2014 (2–0–1–1). That season, he also guided the U.S. Women's Under-22 Select Team to a first-place finish during his first campaign behind the bench for the U.S. in the 2014 Under-22 Series, defeating Canada in all three games. Klee led the U.S. Women's National Team to the gold medal at the 2015 IIHF Women's World Championship in Malmo, Sweden. He also guided the U.S. to a first-place finish at the 2015 Under-22 Series, defeating Canada two games to one.

Serving in the same capacity at the 2015 Four Nations Cup in Sundsvall, Sweden, Klee led the U.S. to an undefeated record (3–1–0–0) and first championship title since 2012. The tournament marks the seventh consecutive event that Klee has been at the helm of Team USA and the third time he has been behind the bench at the Four Nations Cup. He now owns an 18–3–1–2 record overall.

Klee was the head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team for the 2016 Four Nations Cup in Vierumaki, Finland from Oct. 29 – Nov. 6. Klee then served as head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team at the 2016 International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship in Kamloops, British Columbia. He led the U.S. to an undefeated record (4–1–0–0, W-OTW-OTL-L) and gold-medal.

Having left the women's national team, on July 18, 2017, Klee was hired as an assistant coach with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League. [7]

On December 27, 2023, it was announced Klee would be replacing Charlie Burggraf as the head coach of PWHL Minnesota, after Burggraf stepped down from the position one week before the team's first game. [8]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1988–89 St. Michael's Buzzers MetJHL 409233264275121754
1989–90 Bowling Green Falcons CCHA 3905552—————
1990–91 Bowling Green FalconsCCHA377283550—————
1991–92 Bowling Green FalconsCCHA1001114—————
1992–93 Baltimore Skipjacks AHL 774141893701115
1993–94 Portland Pirates AHL652911871712314
1994–95 Portland PiratesAHL49571289—————
1994–95 Washington Capitals NHL 233144170004
1995–96 Washington CapitalsNHL6683116010000
1996–97 Washington CapitalsNHL803811115—————
1997–98 Washington CapitalsNHL5142646910110
1998–99 Washington CapitalsNHL787132080—————
1999–2000 Washington CapitalsNHL807132079501110
2000–01 Washington CapitalsNHL542466060118
2001–02 Washington CapitalsNHL68881638—————
2002–03 Washington CapitalsNHL70116178960006
2003–04 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL664252936110006
2005–06 Toronto Maple LeafsNHL563121566—————
2005–06 New Jersey Devils NHL180001461016
2006–07 Colorado Avalanche NHL813161968—————
2007–08 Atlanta Thrashers NHL72191060—————
2008–09 Anaheim Ducks NHL30004—————
2008–09 Phoenix Coyotes NHL681101124—————
NHL totals934551401958805122450

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
1991 United States WJC 4th71122
1992 United States WC 7th20000
1997 United StatesWC6th810112
2004 United States WCH 4th40000
Junior totals71122
Senior totals1410112

Transactions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mathieu Schneider</span> American ice hockey player

Mathieu David Schneider is an American former professional ice hockey player. Considered an offensive defenseman, Schneider played 1,289 games in the National Hockey League with ten different teams, scoring 233 goals and totaling 743 points. He won the Stanley Cup in 1993 with the Montreal Canadiens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joe Corvo</span> American ice hockey player (born 1977)

Joseph Edward Corvo is an American former professional ice hockey player who played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals, and Boston Bruins.

Kurt Christopher Sauer is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played seven seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Colorado Avalanche, and Phoenix Coyotes. Sauer was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, but grew up in Sartell, Minnesota. Sauer is now the Assistant Coach for the Wayzata Bantam AA hockey team.

Craig Thomas Johnson, is an American former professional ice hockey player who played 10 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 33rd overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play 557 games in the NHL for the St. Louis Blues, Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

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

Nolan Yonkman is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) before concluding his career with JYP of the Finnish Liiga.

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

Colton "Bobby" Douglas Orr is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. Having played nearly 500 games in the NHL, Orr was known as an enforcer for his physical style of play and for regularly fighting.

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

Brad Larsen is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player who is an assistant coach for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joakim Lindström</span> Swedish ice hockey player (born 1983)

Joakim Claes Lindström is a Swedish former professional ice hockey winger who last played for Skellefteå AIK of the Swedish Hockey League. Lindström previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues and, most recently, for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was drafted in the second round, 41st overall, by Columbus in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Helmer</span> Ice hockey player

Bryan Berry Helmer is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is currently the VP of Hockey Operations with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL). He previously served as an assistant coach with the Bears and the Peterborough Petes of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). A veteran of over 1,000 AHL and IHL games, Helmer previously served as captain for the Hershey Bears in the American Hockey League (AHL). He has also played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Phoenix Coyotes, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks and the Washington Capitals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Shattenkirk</span> American ice hockey player (born 1989)

Kevin Michael Shattenkirk is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman. He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks and Boston Bruins. He was drafted in the first round, 14th overall, at the 2007 NHL entry draft by the Avalanche and made his NHL debut with them in 2010. Shattenkirk won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Lightning in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Johnson (ice hockey, born 1962)</span> American ice hockey player

James Erik "Jim" Johnson is an American ice hockey coach and former player, most recently an assistant coach for the San Antonio Rampage. Johnson played junior hockey before playing for University of Minnesota Duluth with Brett Hull in 1984. He graduated from Robbinsdale Cooper High School in 1980. During his career Johnson played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals and Phoenix Coyotes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Crabb</span> American ice hockey player (born 1983)

Joseph Michael Crabb, is an American former professional ice hockey winger who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Atlanta Thrashers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals and Florida Panthers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarred Tinordi</span> American ice hockey player (born 1992)

Jarred Michael Tinordi is an American professional ice hockey defenseman for the Calgary Wranglers in the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 22nd overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Tinordi was also drafted in the seventh round by Metallurg Magnitogorsk during the 2010 KHL Junior Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patrik Nemeth</span> Swedish ice hockey player (born 1992)

Patrik Geza Nemeth is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman for SC Bern of the National League (NL). Nemeth was selected in the second round, 41st overall, by the Dallas Stars in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

The following is a list of all team-to-team transactions that have occurred in the National Hockey League during the 2014–15 NHL season. It lists which team each player has been traded to, signed by, or claimed by, and for which player(s) or draft pick (s), if applicable. Players who have retired are also listed. The 2014–15 trade deadline was on March 2, 2015. Any players traded or claimed off waivers after this date were eligible to play up until, but not in the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The following is a list of all team-to-team transactions that have occurred in the National Hockey League during the 2015–16 NHL season. It lists which team each player has been traded to, signed by, or claimed by, and for which player(s) or draft pick (s), if applicable. Players who have retired are also listed. The 2015–16 trade deadline was on February 29, 2016. Any players traded or claimed off waivers after this date were eligible to play up until, but not in the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The following is a list of all team-to-team transactions that occurred in the National Hockey League during the 2016–17 NHL season. It lists which team each player has been traded to, signed by, or claimed by, and for which player(s) or draft pick (s), if applicable. Players who have retired are also listed. The 2016–17 NHL trade deadline was on March 1, 2017. Any players traded or claimed off waivers after this date were eligible to play up until, but not in the 2017 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The following is a list of all team-to-team transactions that have occurred in the National Hockey League (NHL) during the 2018–19 NHL season. It lists which team each player has been traded to, signed by, or claimed by, and for which player(s) or draft pick(s), if applicable. Players who have retired are also listed.The 2018–19 NHL trade deadline was on February 25, 2019. Players traded after this date were not eligible to play in the 2019 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The following is a list of all team-to-team transactions that have occurred in the National Hockey League (NHL) during the 2019–20 NHL season. It lists which team each player has been traded to, signed by, or claimed by, and for which player(s) or draft pick(s), if applicable. Players who have retired or released are also listed. The 2019–20 NHL trade deadline was on February 24, 2020. Players traded or claimed off waivers after this date were not eligible to play in the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs.

The following is a list of all team-to-team transactions that have occurred in the National Hockey League during the 2020–21 NHL season. It lists which team each player has been traded to, signed by, or claimed by, and for which player(s) or draft pick(s), if applicable. Players who have retired or that have had their contracts terminated are also listed. The 2020–21 NHL trade deadline was on April 12, 2021. Players traded or claimed off waivers after this date were not eligible to play in the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs.

References

  1. ↑ "Time Capsule: Ken Klee". Washington Capitals. 2016-05-06. Retrieved 2016-05-06.
  2. ↑ "Avalanche sign defenseman Klee". ESPN. 2006-07-24. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  3. ↑ "Free Agent Klee signs contract with Thrashers". ESPN. 2007-07-03. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  4. ↑ Cox, Damien (2008-09-26). "Schneider traded to Atlanta". TheStar.com. Toronto. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  5. ↑ "Coyotes claim Klee off re-entry waivers". nhl.com. 2008-10-28. Archived from the original on 2008-10-30. Retrieved 2008-10-28.
  6. ↑ "(in french) Numminen and Klee announce retirement". RDS. 2009-08-04. Retrieved 2010-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Ken Klee hired as Crunch assistant coach". Syracuse Crunch. 2017-07-18. Retrieved 2017-07-18.
  8. ↑ CBC Sports (27 December 2023). "Charlie Burggraf steps down as head coach of PWHL Minnesota days before season opener". CBC. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
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.