Chris Kunitz is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 15 seasons. He was born on September 26, 1979, in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Kunitz began his hockey career playing for the Ferris State Bulldogs in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) during the 1999-2000 season. He played for the Bulldogs for four seasons, scoring 175 points in 152 games.
Kunitz signed with the Anaheim Ducks as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played his first NHL game on November 5, 2003, against the Minnesota Wild. Kunitz played for the Ducks for four seasons, winning the Stanley Cup with the team in 2007. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, where he played for nine seasons. Kunitz won three more Stanley Cups with the Penguins in 2009, 2016, and 2017. He finished his NHL career playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2017-2018 season.
Kunitz was known for his versatility on the ice, playing both left and right wing positions. He was also known for his physical play and ability to score goals. Kunitz scored 268 goals and 351 assists for a total of 619 points in 1,022 NHL games. He was a four-time NHL All-Star and represented Canada in international play, winning a gold medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Kunitz was a respected leader on and off the ice, serving as an alternate captain for the Penguins during his time with the team. He was also known for his charitable work, including his involvement with the Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
In 2019, Kunitz announced his retirement from professional hockey. He currently resides in Chicago with his wife and children.
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