Nick Kuiper
PositionDefence
ShootsRight
Height6 ft
Height in2
Weight lb210
Played forÄssät
Augusta Lynx
Belfast Giants
Friesland Flyers
Graz 99ers
HC Alleghe
Johnstown ChiefsLuleå HF
Manitoba Moose
Norfolk Admirals
Portland Pirates
Springfield Falcons
Birth date12 February 1982 (age 44)
Birth placeBeaconsfield, Quebec, CAN
Career start2004
Career end2014

Nick Kuiper (born 12 February 1982) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman.

Playing career

Kuiper began his professional career in 2004 after signing for the Chicago Blackhawks from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Kuiper was assigned to the Blackhawks affiliate the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League where he spent two seasons.

In 2006–07, Kuiper played for five different teams, beginning the season in the AHL for the Manitoba Moose and played just two games, after that he moved to the Portland Pirates in the same league and played just seven games. He then moved to the ECHL for the Augusta Lynx for 33 games, then moved back to the AHL with the Springfield Falcons for 18 games and then went back to the ECHL to play for the Johnstown Chiefs for their brief playoff run.[citation needed]

In 2007–08 Kuiper played for European teams, Ässät of the Finnish SM-liiga and Luleå HF of the Swedish SEL. In 2008–09 Kuiper signed with Austrian team Graz 99ers of the Austrian Hockey League. After scoring 6 goals in 53 games Kuiper signed a one-year contract extension on 15 July 2009.[1]

Kuiper has signed for the Belfast Giants of the Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom for the 2011–12 season.[2][3]

Kuiper signed a one-year contract with the Friesland Flyers of the Eredivisie on 29 July 2013.

Awards

  • 2001–02: HE All-Tournament Team
  • 2011-12: EIHL Champion (Belfast Giants)

Career statistics

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2000–01University of Massachusetts AmherstHE130112
2001–02U. of Mass-AmherstHE32291110
2002–03U. of Mass-AmherstHE3633634
2003–04U. of Mass-AmherstHE37551072
2004–05Norfolk AdmiralsAHL7335810950002
2005–06Norfolk AdmiralsAHL7027910410000
2006–07Manitoba MooseAHL20002
2006–07Portland PiratesAHL70006
2006–07Augusta LynxECHL3315621
2006–07Springfield FalconsAHL1807710
2006–07Johnstown ChiefsECHL20000
2007–08ÄssätSM-l45371073
2007–08Luleå HFSEL1201110
2008–09Graz 99ersEBEL5366129570228
2009–10Graz 99ersEBEL54611173661016
AHL totals1705192423160002

References

  1. ^ "Kuiper extends for 2009-10" (in German). Graz 99ers. 15 July 2009. Retrieved 1 May 2010. [dead link]
  2. ^ "Giants Add Kuiper to Defence". 6 July 2011.
  3. ^ "Defenceman Kuiper joins Belfast". BBC News