Kevin Klein

Kevin R. Klein (born December 13, 1984) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenseman who played for the New York Rangers and the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the second round, 37th overall, by the Nashville Predators at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He completed his 15 year career playing two seasons as an alternate captain of the ZSC Lions of the National League (NL).

This article is about the ice hockey player. For the actor, see Kevin Kline.
Kevin Klein
Klein as a Ranger in October 2014.
Born (1984-12-13) December 13, 1984
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 200 lb (91 kg; 14 st 4 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Right
Played for Nashville Predators
Herlev Eagles
New York Rangers
ZSC Lions
NHL Draft 37th overall, 2003
Nashville Predators
Playing career 2004–2019

Playing career
Klein as a Predator.

Klein was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the second round, 37th overall, at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He played four years of junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), three with the Toronto St. Michael's Majors and one with the Guelph Storm. Following junior hockey, he played the majority of the next three seasons with the Milwaukee Admirals, Nashville's American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate.

During the 2006–07 season on January 26, 2007, Klein scored his first career NHL goal, which came against the Chicago Blackhawks.

On July 16, 2008, Klein signed a two-year, $1.3 million contract extension with the Predators.[1] He played a total 63 games with the Predators in the 2008–09 season.

In the following season, 2009–10, Klein played his first full season with the Predators, recording two goals and 16 assists for 18 points in 81 games.

In September 2012, Nashville signed Klein to a five-year, $14.5 million contract extension.[2] He responded by scoring three goals and handing out 11 assists for 14 points in 47 games during the lockout-shortened 2012–13 season.

On January 22, 2014, Klein was traded by the Predators to the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Michael Del Zotto.[3]

On December 9, 2014, Klein lost part of his left ear on a high stick in the first period of a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He had it stitched back on, came back to play, and scored the game-winning goal in overtime.[4]

In the 2016–17 season, Klein suffered from back spasms and remained a healthy scratch by New York for most of the teams post-season run.[5] In the offseason, on July 7, at the age of 32, Klein forfeited nearly $3 million in salary from the final one year left on his contract with the Rangers in announcing his retirement from the NHL.[5]

Having expressed desire in continuing his career abroad, on July 14, 2017, Klein signed a one-year contract with the ZSC Lions of the National League (NL).[6] He made his NL debut on September 8, 2017, against the SCL Tigers at the Ilfis Stadium and scored his first goal that same day, an OT game-winning goal. After being crowned Swiss champion in April 2018, Klein signed a one-year contract extension with the Lions on May 23, 2018.

Following his second season with the Lions, enduring a disappointing 2018–19 for ZSC in failing to qualify for the post-season, Klein announced his retirement from his professional career on March 25, 2019.[7]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GPGAPtsPIM GPGAPtsPIM
1999–00 Kitchener Jr. Rangers AAA Bantam 5412294140 —————
2000–01 Toronto St. Michael's Majors OHL 583161921 1805517
2001–02 Toronto St. Michael's Majors OHL 685222735 1527912
2002–03 Toronto St. Michael's Majors OHL 6711334488 1719108
2003–04 Toronto St. Michael's Majors OHL 50112 —————
2003–04 Guelph Storm OHL 466232940 2210112112
2004–05 Rockford Icehogs UHL 32130 —————
2004–05 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 654121622 700011
2005–06 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 7610324231 21371031
2005–06 Nashville Predators NHL 20000 —————
2006–07 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 705152067 41010
2006–07 Nashville Predators NHL 31010 —————
2007–08 Milwaukee Admirals AHL 90332 —————
2007–08 Nashville Predators NHL 130226 —————
2008–09 Nashville Predators NHL 63481219 —————
2009–10 Nashville Predators NHL 811101127 60224
2010–11 Nashville Predators NHL 812161824 121236
2011–12 Nashville Predators NHL 66417214 102242
2012–13 Herlev Eagles DNK 812329 —————
2012–13 Nashville Predators NHL 47311149 —————
2013–14 Nashville Predators NHL 4712321 —————
2013–14 New York Rangers NHL 301560 251346
2014–15 New York Rangers NHL 659172625 140442
2015–16 New York Rangers NHL 699172619 50117
2016–17 New York Rangers NHL 603111431 10110
2017–18 ZSC Lions NL 4510122260 17391216
2018–19 ZSC Lions NL 4710142416 —————
NHL totals 62738116154185 734151927

International
Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
2002 Canada Ontario U17 4 0 0 0 6
2004 Canada WJC 6 0 0 0 0
Junior totals 10 0 0 0 6

References
  1. "Predators re-sign Klein to 2-year deal". nhl.com. 2008-07-16. Archived from the original on 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
  2. "Predators sign Klein to 5-year contract". National Hockey League. 2012-09-16. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  3. "Michael Del Zotto traded to Predators, Kevin Klein to Rangers". CBS Sports. 2014-01-22. Retrieved 2014-01-22.
  4. "Klein loses part of his ear, wins game in OT". ESPN. 2014-12-09. Retrieved 2014-12-09.
  5. "Rangers defenceman Kevin Klein announces retirement". Rogers Communications. July 7, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  6. "From New York to Zurich - ZSC Lions sign defenseman Kevin Klein". swisshockeynews.ch. July 14, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  7. "ZSC transfers". ZSC Lions (in German). 2019-03-25. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
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