Keith Kinkaid

Keith Kinkaid
Keith Kinkaid
Born	July 4, 1989 (age 37); Farmingville, New York, U.S.
Occupation	Professional ice hockey goaltender
Known for	Playing for New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche

Keith Patrick Kinkaid (born July 4, 1989) is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently classified as an unrestricted free agent. His latest team was the Charlotte Checkers competing in the American Hockey League (AHL). Although never selected in the National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft, Kinkaid has played for multiple NHL franchises including the New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Colorado Avalanche.

Playing career

Originating from Farmingville, New York, Kinkaid completed his secondary education at Sachem High School East in 2007.

During the 2008–09 season, he guarded the net for the St. Louis Bandits in the North American Hockey League. By February 2009, he had committed to compete at the NCAA Division I level for Union College. That April, he earned accolades as both MVP and Goaltender of the Year in the NAHL, leading goaltenders across wins, goals-against average, save percentage, and shutouts. Additionally, he was a nominee for the Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award.

College

Kinkaid represented Union College within ECAC Hockey from 2009 through 2011. In his freshman year, he secured positions on both the ECAC All-Rookie Team and Third Team.

His sophomore campaign saw him achieve a 25–10–3 record and guide Union to its inaugural NCAA tournament berth. He received recognition as an AHCA East First-Team All-American, was named to the All-ECAC Hockey First Team, and won the prestigious Ken Dryden Award honoring ECAC's premier goaltender.

After completing his sophomore season, Kinkaid inked an entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils in April 2011.

Professional

Kinkaid launched his professional journey with the Albany Devils, New Jersey’s AHL affiliate, during the 2011–12 season. He made his professional debut on October 9, 2011, and secured his first victory five days later. Although called up to serve as an NHL backup during that month, he did not take to the ice before returning to Albany where he soon recorded his initial professional shutout.

In late stages of the 2012–13 season, Kinkaid debuted in the NHL with New Jersey on March 5, 2013. The following season found him primarily in Albany until a recall in 2014. On June 29, 2017, he extended his contract with the Devils. During the 2017–18 season, after starter Cory Schneider sustained an injury, Kinkaid assumed starting duties posting a 2.77 goals-against average alongside a .913 save percentage. His efforts contributed significantly to New Jersey securing their first playoff appearance since 2012 by clinching a crucial win over Toronto Maple Leafs.

On February 25, 2019, Kinkaid was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick in 2022. Positioned as third-string behind Sergei Bobrovsky and Joonas Korpisalo, he did not participate in any games while with Columbus.

As a free agent on July 1, 2019, Kinkaid signed a one-year deal worth $1.75 million with the Montreal Canadiens. After appearing in six games with a .875 save percentage, he was waived and assigned to their AHL affiliate Laval Rocket. In February 2020, he was loaned out to the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL.

Following one season with Montreal, Kinkaid agreed to a two-year contract valued at $1.65 million with the New York Rangers on October 9, 2020. He made his first appearance for the Rangers on March 7, 2021.

Upon entering free agency after his stint with New York, Kinkaid signed a one-year two-way contract with the Boston Bruins on July 13, 2022. Initially assigned to their AHL team Providence Bruins, he was recalled in November due to an injury to Jeremy Swayman. Kinkaid’s Bruins debut featured a strong performance with thirty saves leading to victory over Buffalo Sabres on November 12. Returning subsequently to Providence, he amassed eight wins across twenty games.

On February 25, 2023, Boston traded Kinkaid to the Colorado Avalanche for Shane Bowers; he was then assigned to their AHL affiliate Colorado Eagles. He made a single NHL relief appearance in March against Dallas Stars before resuming play with Colorado Eagles and concluding the season on Colorado’s playoff roster.

As an unrestricted free agent, Kinkaid signed a one-year contract with independent AHL club Chicago Wolves on July 18, 2023. Prior to appearing for Chicago however, he rejoined the New Jersey Devils under a one-year two-way contract on September 13. After clearing waivers in October without being claimed by another team, he was reassigned back to Chicago Wolves.

Ahead of their 2024 training camp, Kinkaid accepted a professional tryout offer from the New York Islanders but was released on October 2. Subsequently, he secured a one-year agreement with the Charlotte Checkers (AHL), spending the entire 2024–25 campaign competing in the ECHL for their affiliate Savannah Ghost Pirates.

Regular season and playoffs

			Regular season									Playoffs
Season	Team	League	GP	W	L	OTL	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%	GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2007–08	New York Bobcats	AJHL	28	20	5	3	1,458	58	3	2.39	.935	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	Des Moines Buccaneers	USHL	15	4	9	2	844	48	0	3.41	.893	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	St. Louis Bandits	NAHL	40	30	5	4	2,393	71	7	1.78	.936	12	10	2	728	14	3	1.15	.951
2009–10	Union College	ECAC	25	12	8	3	1,478	61	1	2.48	.912	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2010–11	Union College	ECAC	38	25	10	3	2,265	75	3	1.99	.920	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Albany Devils	AHL	42	17	20	3	2,347	115	3	2.94	.904	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Albany Devils	AHL	45	21	17	6	2,644	120	2	2.72	.905	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	New Jersey Devils	NHL	1	0	0	0	26	1	0	2.31	.923	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Albany Devils	AHL	43	24	13	5	2,519	96	4	2.29	.912	4	1	3	238	9	0	2.26	.932
2014–15	Albany Devils	AHL	13	7	2	3	713	26	1	2.19	.923
2014–15	New Jersey Devils	NHL	19	6	5	4	925	40	0	2.59	.915
2015–16	New Jersey Devils	NHL	23	9	9	1	1,241	58	2	2.81	.904
2016–17	New Jersey Devils	NHL	26	8	13	3	1,485	65	1	2.64	.916
2017–18 NHL season	New Jersey Devils	NHL	41	26	10	3	2,298	106	1	2.77	.913	2	0	2	202	9	0	5.87	.804
2018–19 NHL season	New Jersey Devils	NHL	41	15	18	6	2,302	129	3	3.36	.891
2019–20 NHL season	Montreal Canadiens	NHL	6	1	1	3	340	24	0	4.24	.875
2019–20 AHL season	Laval Rocket	AHL	13	3	7	3	750	43	0	3.44	.876
2019–20	Charlotte Checkers	AHL	4	2	1	1	241	9	0	2.24	.924
2020–21 AHL season	Hartford Wolf Pack	AHL	2	2	0	0	120	2	1	1.00		962
202021 NHL season	New York Rangers	NHL	9		3
202122 AHL season	Hartford Wolf Pack	AHL	37		20		14		106		904
202122 NHL season	New York Rangers	NHL	1		1		60		200935
202223 AHL season	Providence Bruins	AHL	20		8		7		58		909
202223 NHL season	Boston Bruins	NHL	1		1		60		100968
202223	Colorado Avalanche	NHL	1		028		215889
202223	Colorado Eagles	AHL	7		4		3981618918

International

Year	Nation	Tournament	GP	W	L	MIN	GA	SO	GAA	SV%
2016	United States	WC	6	1	4	350	19	0	3.25	.871
2018	United States	WC	9	7	2	526	15	2	2.29	.912
Overall senior career totals			15	8	6	876	34	2	2.77	.892

Awards and honors

Award	Year
NAHL
Robertson Cup champion	2008–09
Playoff Most Valuable Player	2008–09
Regular Season Most Valuable Player	2008–09
Top Goaltender Award	2008–09
First Team All-Star Selection	2008–09
College
All-ECAC Hockey Rookie Team honoree	2009–10
All-ECAC Hockey Third Team honoree	2009–10
All-ECAC Hockey First Team honoree	2010–11
American Hockey Coaches Association East First-Team All-American distinction	2010–11
Ken Dryden Award	2010–11

External links