Keith Kinkaid, an American goaltender, played in the National Hockey League (NHL) and became known for his time with the New Jersey Devils. Born on July 4, 1989, in Farmingville, New York, Kinkaid's journey to the NHL began with his collegiate career at Union College, where he played for the Union Dutchmen. His performance there caught the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his signing with the New Jersey Devils as an undrafted free agent in 2011.
Kinkaid spent the early years of his professional career honing his skills in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Albany Devils, the AHL affiliate of New Jersey. His consistent play in the minors eventually earned him a call-up to the NHL. Kinkaid made his NHL debut with the Devils during the 2012-2013 season, although he primarily served as a backup goaltender in his initial years.
The 2014-2015 season marked a turning point for Kinkaid as he began to see more ice time with the Devils. He played in 19 games that season, posting a respectable save percentage and demonstrating his ability to perform at the highest level. Over the next few seasons, Kinkaid continued to split time between the AHL and NHL, gradually increasing his role with the Devils.
Kinkaid's most active season came in 2017-2018 when he stepped up as the starting goaltender following an injury to Cory Schneider. During this period, he played in 41 games, achieving a career-high in wins and helping the Devils secure a playoff spot for the first time since 2012. His performance was instrumental in the team's push to the postseason, where they faced the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.
Following his tenure with the Devils, Kinkaid was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in February 2019. However, he did not see any game action with Columbus and became a free agent at the end of the season. In July 2019, Kinkaid signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens, where he played a limited number of games before being assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket.
Kinkaid's journey continued as he signed with the New York Rangers in October 2020. During his time with the Rangers, he served as a backup goaltender and provided depth to the team's goaltending roster. His experience and reliability were valuable assets to the Rangers, especially during the condensed 2020-2021 season impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Throughout his career, Kinkaid was known for his agility and quick reflexes in the net. His ability to remain composed under pressure made him a reliable option for teams in need of goaltending support. While he may not have been a regular starter throughout his NHL career, Kinkaid's perseverance and adaptability allowed him to maintain a presence in professional hockey for nearly a decade.
In addition to his NHL career, Kinkaid also represented the United States in international competition. He was part of the U.S. national team at the 2018 IIHF World Championship, where he played a crucial role in helping the team secure a bronze medal.
Keith Kinkaid's career in professional hockey is a testament to his skill and determination.
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