Anaheim Ducks: Catching Up With Defenseman Kevin Bieksa

When the Anaheim Ducks season began, it was no surprise that Kevin Bieksa was no longer on the roster. What has the defenseman been up to during his absence from the NHL?

Last season, Anaheim Ducks defenseman, Kevin Bieksa, was the recipient of a lot of criticism. His production was low, his penalties high, and the level of “grit” he brought to the team hurt them more than it helped them.

However, even though father time caught up with the 37-year-old veteran, he provided a sense of comedic relief that is missed around Honda Center. The Ontario native was a natural born prankster, always putting a smile on fans and teammates faces.

Bieksa has not been active on an NHL roster since the 2017-18 season with the Anaheim Ducks and is currently a free agent. Although he did not sign a contract in the offseason, he has not officially retired.

Kevin Bieksa is now faced with a question that many of us have to answer at one point in our lives or another. What is next? While he may already know the answer to that question, we do not. So, in the meantime, let’s catch up with him and find out what he’s been doing during his time away from the NHL.

Dropping the Puck and Training with the Silvertips

This moment was very dear to my heart because the Everett Silvertips were the first team I ever watched play hockey. As a native to the Everett area, options are limited if you want to catch a good hockey game.

Since Seattle does not yet have an NHL team, there are two options. You either root for the Everett Silvertips or the Seattle Thunderbirds. Of course, there are plenty of Vancouver fans in Washington, but as far as travel goes, it’s not convenient.

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So, why was an NHL defenseman training in Everett, Washington? It seems rather random. As phenomenal as the Silvertips are, Everett isn’t exactly the center of the hockey world.

The reason is actually quite simple. Kevin Bieksa was invited to represent Team Canada at the Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland this year. The Spengler Cup is said to be one of the oldest invitational hockey tournaments in the world, and for Bieksa, it was an honor to be invited.

He needed somewhere to train, and his options at home in Southern California were quite limited. So he looked to his former teammates from his days at Bowling Green State University, Dennis Williams and Louis Mass. Williams just so happens to be the head coach of the Everett Silvertips, with assistant coach, Louis Mass, as his right-hand man.

Bieksa’s main goal was to get back into skating shape in time for the Spengler Cup. However, while he was there, he took the time to impart some of his wisdom on the young players looking to find their way in the NHL.

The 37-year-old defenseman didn’t need to do to much work, in an interview with Elliotte Friedman in early September, KB3 said that he had still been training all summer as though he would return to an NHL team. Then, in true Bieksa fashion, he dropped this quip:

“I’m in better shape than 95% of the players and 100% of the media.” -Kevin Bieksa, Interview with Elliotte Friedman

To end his time with the Silvertips, he dropped the ceremonial puck before their 4-2 win against the Spokane Chiefs.

The Spengler Cup

If you are unfamiliar, let me give you a little history lesson on the Spengler Cup. Currently, it is the oldest European tournament that hosts club teams. It was originally created for the teams who had been banned from the IIHF tournaments due to the events of World War I.

Every year, between Christmas and New Years, five teams participate in the tournament in a round-robin style. The final two teams compete against one another, and the winner takes home the Spengler Cup.

Team Canada is said to be the heart and soul of the Spengler Cup. The team hoped that Kevin Bieksa could be a part of the puzzle that would lead them to their fourth consecutive Spengler Cup title. Bieksa wore the “A” for Team Canada during this year’s tournament.

Team Canada quickly swept through their competition. Their twelve goals in three games propelled them into the finals against KalPa Kuopio. Unfortunately, they would lose, 1-2, after a grueling eight-round shootout.

Kevin Bieksa’s name didn’t make it on to the score sheet, but that comes as no surprise. His forte is being physical, not scoring points. He is as defensively minded as defenseman come.

Despite the loss, he is hoping that his performance in the Spengler Cup will lead him to the real prize, his final NHL contract. Despite his failings with the Anaheim Ducks last season, Bieksa is not ready to hang up his skates. He hopes to return in 2019-20 for one last run in the NHL.

Do you love the Anaheim Ducks as much as we do? The start of the New Year is the perfect time to try something new! Let your voice be heard and join the Pucks of a Feather team!