Kris Draper is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over 20 years. He was born on May 24, 1971, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Draper started his hockey career in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Windsor Spitfires in 1988. He played for the Spitfires for two seasons before being drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the third round of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.
Draper made his NHL debut with the Jets in the 1990-91 season, but he only played in 20 games before being traded to the Detroit Red Wings. He played for the Red Wings for the next 17 seasons, becoming a key player on the team and helping them win four Stanley Cup championships in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008.
Draper was known for his defensive skills and his ability to win faceoffs. He was also a tough player who was not afraid to drop the gloves and fight when necessary. He was a fan favorite in Detroit, where he was known as "The Grind Line" along with teammates Darren McCarty and Joe Kocur.
In addition to his success with the Red Wings, Draper also represented Canada in international competition. He played for Canada in the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, where the team won a silver medal. He also played in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, where Canada finished in seventh place.
Draper retired from the NHL in 2011 at the age of 40. He finished his career with 1,157 games played, 161 goals, and 203 assists. He was also a four-time finalist for the Selke Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL's best defensive forward.
After retiring from playing, Draper joined the Red Wings' front office as a special assistant to the general manager. He also worked as a scout for the team and helped with player development. In 2017, he was promoted to assistant to the general manager.
Overall, Kris Draper had a successful hockey career that spanned over two decades. He was a key player on one of the NHL's most successful teams and represented his country in international competition. He is remembered as a tough, hard-working player who was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.
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