Keith Ballard is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for nine seasons. He was born on November 26, 1982, in Baudette, Minnesota, and grew up playing hockey in his hometown. Ballard played college hockey at the University of Minnesota, where he was a standout defenseman and helped lead the team to two NCAA championships.
After college, Ballard was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. However, he never played for the Sabres, as he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in 2004. Ballard made his NHL debut with the Avalanche in the 2005-06 season, playing in 16 games and recording two assists.
In 2006, Ballard was traded to the Phoenix Coyotes, where he played for three seasons. He established himself as a solid defenseman and was known for his physical play and shot-blocking ability. In the 2008-09 season, Ballard set a career-high in points with 31 and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team.
In 2009, Ballard was traded to the Florida Panthers, where he played for two seasons. He continued to be a reliable defenseman for the Panthers and was named an alternate captain in his second season with the team.
In 2011, Ballard was traded to the Vancouver Canucks, where he played for two seasons. He was expected to be a key player for the Canucks, but injuries limited his playing time and he struggled to find his form. In the 2013-14 season, Ballard played in just 45 games and recorded only three points.
After the 2013-14 season, the Canucks bought out the final year of Ballard's contract, making him a free agent. He signed a two-year contract with the Minnesota Wild, his hometown team, but injuries once again limited his playing time. Ballard played in just 14 games for the Wild in the 2014-15 season before suffering a concussion that ended his career.
Overall, Keith Ballard played in 604 NHL games over nine seasons, recording 38 goals and 137 assists. He was known for his physical play, shot-blocking ability, and leadership on and off the ice. Despite his injuries, Ballard was a respected player throughout his career and was known for his toughness and work ethic.
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