Keith Kinkaid is a former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for several teams. He was born on July 4, 1989, in Farmingville, New York, and began his hockey career playing for the Union Dutchmen in the NCAA Division I.
Kinkaid was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New Jersey Devils in 2011 and spent most of his early career playing for their minor league affiliates. He made his NHL debut in 2013 and played in a total of 151 games for the Devils over the course of six seasons. During his time with the Devils, Kinkaid served as a backup goaltender to Cory Schneider and played in several games as a starter.
In 2019, Kinkaid was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he played in 10 games before being traded again to the Montreal Canadiens. He played in 7 games for the Canadiens before becoming a free agent at the end of the season.
Kinkaid signed a one-year contract with the New York Rangers in 2020 but did not play in any NHL games during the shortened season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He spent most of the season playing for the Rangers' AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack.
In 2021, Kinkaid signed a one-year contract with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, the AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders. He played in 20 games for the Sound Tigers before being called up to the Islanders in April 2021. He played in one game for the Islanders before being sent back down to the AHL.
Kinkaid announced his retirement from professional hockey in August 2022, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. Over the course of his career, he played in a total of 174 NHL games, with a record of 65-56-20 and a save percentage of .905.
Off the ice, Kinkaid was known for his charitable work, including his involvement with the Devils' "Kinkaid's Blocks" program, which donated tickets to underprivileged children and their families. He was also a vocal advocate for mental health awareness and spoke openly about his own struggles with anxiety and depression.
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