Versteeg remained with Providence for the beginning of 2006–07 before being traded by Boston on February 3, 2007, along with a conditional draft pick, to the Chicago Blackhawks for Brandon Bochenski.[1] As a result, he moved within the AHL to Chicago's minor league affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals. Versteeg then played for the Rockford IceHogs in 2007–08, as Chicago switched its AHL affiliation. He made his NHL debut that season as he was called up for a total of 13 games, recording two goals and two assists.
Versteeg in March 2009, in his first stint with the Blackhawks.
Versteeg's entry-level contract expired after the 2008–09 season, which would typically have made him a restricted free agent (RFA). However, a clerical error in which the Blackhawks failed to tender qualifying offers to their pending RFAs by the league deadline led to speculation Versteeg and several of his teammates would become unrestricted free agents. As a result, the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) filed a grievance on the players' behalf. Shortly thereafter, on July 8, 2009, he re-signed with the Blackhawks to a three-year contract, worth nearly US$9 million.[3]
Versteeg's offensive production dropped in his second full NHL season, recording 20 goals and 44 points over 79 games. In the 2010 playoffs, he added 14 points in 22 games, helping the Blackhawks to a Stanley Cup championship, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in the Finals. His name was originally misspelled "Kris Vertseeg" when engraved on the Stanley Cup, but was quickly corrected.[4]
Toronto Maple Leafs
Due to salary cap restraints caused by the aforementioned need to overpay their restricted free agents over the summer of 2009, the Blackhawks were forced to trade away several players in the off-season, including Versteeg. On June 30, 2010, he was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs along with the rights to prospect Bill Sweatt in exchange for forwards Viktor Stålberg, Chris DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis. He recorded his first Gordie Howe hat trick (a goal, an assist and a fight) with the Maple Leafs in a game against the Ottawa Senators on October 9, 2010; he scored against Pascal Leclaire, assisted on a goal by Phil Kessel and fought Mike Fisher.
Philadelphia Flyers
After recording 35 points over 53 games with the Maple Leafs in 2010–11, he was traded for the third time in his career on February 14, 2011. Toronto sent him to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for first-round and third-round draft picks.[5] Versteeg joined the team that he helped defeat in the previous season's Stanley Cup Finals and scored seven goals to go with four assists during the remainder of the regular season. He scored one goal during the 2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs, which came in the fourth and final game of the Flyers second round series against the Boston Bruins in a 5-1 loss
Florida Panthers
On July 1, 2011, the Flyers traded Versteeg to the Florida Panthers for a second-round pick (either 2012 or 2013— Florida's choice) and a third-round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.[6] The trade came just a few hours after the Flyers announced the signing of Jaromír Jágr.
Versteeg during his second stint with the Blackhawks in December 2014.
Return to Chicago
On November 14, 2013, the Panthers traded Versteeg, along with Philippe Lefebvre, to the Chicago Blackhawks for Jimmy Hayes and Dylan Olsen.[7] Since Versteeg's jersey #32, which he wore during his first stint with the club was being worn by Michal Rozsíval, Versteeg opted to wear #23 upon his return to the club. On June 15, 2015, Versteeg won his second Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in a 2–0 game 6 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2015 Stanley Cup Finals.
Carolina Hurricanes
On September 11, 2015, Versteeg was again traded by the Blackhawks due to salary cap constraints, along with Joakim Nordstrom, to the Carolina Hurricanes along with a 3rd round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft for a 5th round pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and two prospects. The move was done to make more cap space available for Marcus Kruger, who was re-signed the next day. In the following 2015–16 season, Versteeg transitioned to the Hurricanes quickly and was used on the club's top scoring lines throughout the year.
Los Angeles Kings
Versteeg produced 33 points in 63 games before on February 28, 2016, he was familiarly traded at the trade deadline to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Valentin Zykov and a conditional 5th round pick in 2016 (if Los Angeles advanced to the 2016 Western Conference Final, failed).[8] Acquired by the Kings for depth in their playoff run, the team would fail to make it deep, losing in the first round to the San Jose Sharks. In his stint with the Kings, Versteeg scored 5 points in 14 games, while adding 2 more in the team's 5 playoff appearances.
Calgary Flames
On July 25, 2016, as a free agent from the Kings, Versteeg opted to pause his NHL career in agreeing to sign a one-year deal with the SC Bern of the Swiss NLA.[9] However, he later failed to pass the medical exam in early September and therefore the contract was voided.[10] On September 9, 2016, Versteeg returned to continue his career in the NHL in agreeing to join the Edmonton Oilers at their training camp on a professional tryout basis.[11]
After a successful training camp with the Oilers, on October 11, 2016, Versteeg rejected a contract offer from the Oilers, opting to instead join provincial rivals the Calgary Flames on a one-year deal worth $900,000 in the NHL.[12] Versteeg enjoyed a productive first season in Calgary, establishing himself as a key contributor on the powerplay. His eight goals with the man-advantage led the team, while his 15 total goals finished tied for fifth. Versteeg finished second in team scoring during the Flames' round-one series against the Anaheim Ducks, tallying a goal and three assists as the Flames were swept in four games.
With Versteeg and Flames management both interested in coming to terms on a new contract, they agreed to a one-year, $1.75 million contract on June 29, 2017.[13] Versteeg played 24 games for the club after suffering a hip injury on November 24, and having surgery on December 4.[14]
Later years
On September 1, 2018, Versteeg signed an overseas contract, joining Russian club, Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).[15] In the 2018–19 season, Versteeg was limited to just 11 games with Omsk, recording 5 points, before opting to leave for the remainder of the season with Swedish club, Växjö Lakers of the SHL on February 7, 2019.[16] Versteeg contributed down the tail end of the regular season with 11 points through 12 games. He continued his scoring pace in the post season for the Lakers with 6 points in 7 games.
At the conclusion of the Lakers' season, Versteeg left the organization to return to North America. On April 22, 2019, Versteeg signed a one-year contract with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League (AHL) and would be named team captain.[17] He last played for the IceHogs during the 2007–08 season and the team was still affiliated with the Blackhawks. After appearing in just six games through injury, he announced he was leaving the team on November 17, 2019.[18][19]
With the intention to play out the remainder of the season before retiring, Versteeg signed a contract to join his brother Mitch at HK Nitra of the Tipsport liga on November 20, 2019.[20] He retired from playing on April 14, 2020.[21]
Beyond playing career
Business ventures
Versteeg and his brothers founded Klevr.ai, a sports technology app that launched in 2021. [22]
VersSet Skills Camp
Versteeg teamed up with fellow professional hockey player Devin Setoguchi to launch the VersSet Skills Camp, run each summer in Taber, Alberta. The camp brings together hockey players age 4 to 18 for on-ice and off-ice training, conditioning, and skills development. The goal of the camp is to share the love of the game and give back to the future generation of hockey players.[23]
Philanthropy
Passionate about supporting youth in sport and providing them the tools and opportunities to succeed, Versteeg raised $15,000 for Opokaa’sin Early Intervention Society while competing on Battle of the Blades. Versteeg dedicated his support of the organization to his best friend Colton Yellowhorn and his upbringing near the largest treaty area in Canada, located in southern Alberta. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, he also donated funds to struggling families in Southern Alberta to purchase groceries and other essential items.[24]
Broadcast
Versteeg is a regular contributor on SportsnetHockey Central and Sirius XM NHL Radio.[25][26] He has gained notoriety for his bold opinions and thoughtful critiques on topics ranging from rule enforcement to players’ fashion sense.[27][28]
Personal life
Born in Lethbridge, Alberta, to Marilyn and Roy, Versteeg's grandparents Morris and Joanne also played an important role in his upbringing.[29] He is married with three children,[30][31] and his younger brother Mitch is a former defenceman who played for teams in the minor leagues and in Europe.
Versteeg developed a reputation within the NHL for his habit of singing in public, as evidenced by his recitation of a portion of Fergie's "Glamorous" on Mouthpiece Sports, as well as performing an altered version of LMFAO's "Yes" during the Chicago Blackhawks' Stanley Cup victory parade, as well as many impromptu performances for fans and media throughout his career.[32][33]
Nicholas Carl Boynton is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 11 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Boston Bruins, Phoenix Coyotes, Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers. Boynton was most recently the color analyst for the Arizona Coyotes radio broadcasts.
Steven Richard "The Matador" Montador was a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played 571 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks before ending his career in 2014 as a member of Medveščak Zagreb of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
David D. Bolland is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player.
Cody Franson is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. He most recently played for the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League (AHL). Franson was drafted in the third round, 79th overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. Franson has also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Buffalo Sabres and Chicago Blackhawks.
Michael W. Leighton is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes.
Troy Brouwer is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger. He played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Washington Capitals, Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers and the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Blackhawks selected him in the seventh round, 214th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.
Kyle Cumiskey is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing with the Düsseldorfer EG in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL). Cumiskey won the 2015 Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Sheldon W. Brookbank is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League (NHL). He was the assistant coach of the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL) under Jeremy Colliton.
The Rockford IceHogs are a professional ice hockey team based in Rockford, Illinois. They are members of the American Hockey League (AHL), having begun play in the League starting in the 2007–08 season. The team plays their home games at the BMO Center, and they serve as the top minor league affiliate of the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Chicago Blackhawks.
Bryan Bickell is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League (NHL). He won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013 and 2015, and played in four early playoff games during the team's run to the 2010 Stanley Cup championship. Bickell spent nearly 10 years with the Blackhawks organization before being traded to the Hurricanes before the 2016–17 season. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis later that year and retired from playing at the end of the season.
Terrence James Brennan is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing for HC Ajoie of the National League (NL). Brennan was originally selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round, 31st overall, of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, and has also previously played for the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs at the NHL level. Brennan has been cited as an elite offensive AHL defenseman, scoring at a pace of nearly a point-per-game, a rare feat for a defender.
Philippe Paradis is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He spent the duration of his professional career in the American Hockey League (AHL). He was drafted 27th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes during the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Dylan D. Olsen is an American and Canadian former professional ice hockey player, who most recently played with the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL. Olsen played for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Olsen was drafted 28th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks during the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. He played his junior hockey with the Camrose Kodiaks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), and played college ice hockey at the University of Minnesota Duluth of the NCAA.
Joakim Nordström is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre who is currently playing with HC Davos of the National League (NL). He won the World Championships in 2017 with Sweden and the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2015. He was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the third round, 90th overall in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He is the brother of Dennis Nordström.
Adam Clendening is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who is currently playing for Ilves of the Finnish Liiga. Clendening was raised in Wheatfield, New York. He was selected 36th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.
Brandon D. Bollig is an American former professional ice hockey player. An undrafted player, Bollig signed with the Chicago Blackhawks organization in 2010 after playing college hockey for St. Lawrence University. He made his NHL debut in 2012 and was a member of Chicago's Stanley Cup championship team in 2013. The Calgary Flames acquired Bollig in a draft-day trade on June 28, 2014.
Christopher DiDomenico is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward for SC Bern of the National League (NL). DiDomenico was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the sixth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and sporadically played in the National Hockey League with the Ottawa Senators about a decade later.
Colin Fraser is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre. He played in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings and the St. Louis Blues. Fraser is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, having won the Cup with the Blackhawks in 2010, and the Kings in 2012. Fraser was a part of the Kings for the 2014 season, but failed to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup that year. After retiring from professional hockey in 2015, Fraser returned to the Blackhawks to work in their scouting department.
Matthew Highmore is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, currently playing with the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previous played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues
Tyler Sikura is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre who is currently playing for HC Bolzano of the ICE Hockey League (ICEHL)
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.
