KEVIN WEEKES – THE ROAD TO THE NHL

A Canadian native, Kevin Weekes aspired to become an NHL goaltender from the age of six. With dedication and training, Kevin fulfilled his dream. Having played his minor hockey for the Toronto Red Wings, and successfully finishing with the St. Michael’s Buzzers Jr. B., Kevin was selected as a second-round draft pick of the Owen Sound Platers. After finishing his OHL career with the Ottawa 67’s, Kevin was selected to play in the CHL’s top prospects All-Star Game.

Upon completion of his OHL career, Kevin was a second-round draft pick of the Florida Panthers, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. After three years shared between the AHL and the IHL, Kevin was voted as the co-winner of the 1999 IHL James Norris Memorial Trophy, for the lowest goals against average in the regular season.

Kevin’s only international hockey experience to date came in 1996 when he represented the AHL’s Rochester Americans in Davos, Switzerland at the Spengler Cup. Kevin was named with both tournament MVP and goaltender of the tournament accolades.

Kevin has played for the Florida Panthers, the Vancouver Canucks, the New York Islanders, the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers. Kevin established franchise records in Tampa Bay for most saves in one season in the year 2000-2001. In his three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes, Kevin set team records for the second most career shutouts, and tied for the most shutouts in one season. Kevin also had the best goals against average, save percentage and shutouts in the 2002 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Most recently, Kevin signed a deal in the summer of 2007 with the New Jersey Devils.

FOCUS ON KEVIN WEEKES – AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

Kevin Weekes was born on April 4, 1975 in Toronto, Ontario. Both of Kevin’s parents, Vadney and Carl Weekes were born in Barbados, West Indies and immigrated to Canada in the 1970’s.

Growing up in downtown Toronto, Kevin was introduced to hockey during neighborhood street hockey games. Though at first Kevin had no proper equipment, he used foam from old sofa cushions as pads, found an old Friday the 13th goalie mask, and rigged a yellow margarine container for a glove. "You couldn't catch the ball with it but it was fun, it was pure intensity in some of those street hockey games," Kevin comments.

As a native of Barbados, Carl Weekes knew little about hockey, but supported Kevin wholeheartedly once Kevin expressed a passion for the game. Kevin began to learn the basics of ice hockey at the age of six, and soon thereafter began playing for the Toronto Red Wings of the MTHL (Metro Toronto Hockey League).

In 1992, Kevin was drafted in the third round of the OHL (Ontario Hockey League) draft by the Owen Sound Platers. Kevin, who also played for the Ottawa 67’s of the OHL, enjoyed a successful junior hockey career. In 1993, Kevin's childhood dream of one day becoming an NHL goaltender was realized, when he was drafted 41st overall by the Florida Panthers in the NHL entry draft.

In 1996, Kevin began his professional hockey career by playing for the Panther’s AHL (American Hockey League) affiliate, the Carolina Monarchs. Kevin also played for the Panther’s IHL (International Hockey League) affiliate, the Fort Wayne Komets, during the 1997-1998 season.

Kevin started his first NHL game on October 23, 1998 against the Ottawa Senators. He was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 1998 and has also played for the New York Islanders and the Tampa Bay Lightning during his NHL career.

Kevin was acquired by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2002, and in that year successfully helped to lead the team to the Stanley Cup Finals, the first ever Stanley Cup appearance for the Hurricanes.

Although he is a Canadian native, Kevin also holds his Bajan culture in high regard. Kevin's proudly wears the Barbados flag on the back of his goalie mask as a tribute to his roots. After hosting two successful golf tournaments in Toronto, Kevin decided to move the Third Annual Kevin Weekes Celebrity Golf Classic to Barbados in 2005.

In addition to Kevin’s on-ice triumphs, he founded and supports Skillz Hockey, a grassroots hockey initiative. In the summer 2005, Kevin hosted his first ever goalie school held in Detroit, Michigan. He sponsors minor hockey players throughout Canada by purchasing equipment and subsidizing their registration costs. Kevin also supports several other charitable causes and initiatives throughout North America.

Kevin accredits his success to diligence, perseverance and dedication. "My dreams are limitless, I refuse to set boundaries for myself," states Kevin.