Kyle Calder is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on January 5, 1979, in Mannville, Alberta, Canada. Calder started his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Regina Pats in 1995. He played for the Pats for four seasons, scoring 98 goals and 139 assists in 246 games.
Calder was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the fifth round of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks in the 1999-2000 season, playing in 16 games and scoring one goal and two assists. Calder spent the next five seasons with the Blackhawks, becoming a regular on the team and scoring a career-high 26 goals and 33 assists in the 2005-2006 season.
In the summer of 2006, Calder was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Michal Handzus and a draft pick. He played one season with the Flyers, scoring 14 goals and 12 assists in 74 games. Calder then signed as a free agent with the Detroit Red Wings for the 2007-2008 season. He played in 59 games for the Red Wings, scoring six goals and 12 assists, and helped the team win the Stanley Cup that year.
After his stint with the Red Wings, Calder signed with the Los Angeles Kings for the 2008-2009 season. He played in 74 games for the Kings, scoring 10 goals and 17 assists. Calder then signed with the Anaheim Ducks for the 2009-2010 season, but only played in 14 games before being sent down to the AHL.
Calder retired from professional hockey in 2011, finishing his NHL career with 136 goals and 177 assists in 711 games. He also played in 34 playoff games, scoring four goals and six assists. Calder was known for his speed and offensive skills, as well as his ability to play on both wings.
In addition to his NHL career, Calder also represented Canada in international competitions. He played for Canada at the 1999 World Junior Championships, winning a silver medal, and at the 2006 World Championships, winning a gold medal.
Overall, Kyle Calder had a successful career in professional hockey, playing for five different NHL teams and winning a Stanley Cup and a gold medal with Team Canada. He was a reliable scorer and a versatile player who could play on any line. Calder's contributions to the sport of hockey will not be forgotten.
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