| Steve Weeks | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born | (1958-06-30)June 30, 1958 (age 67) Scarborough, Ontario, Canada | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 165 lb (75 kg; 11 st 11 lb) | ||
| Position | Goaltender | ||
| Caught | Left | ||
| Played for | New York Rangers Hartford Whalers Vancouver Canucks New York Islanders Los Angeles Kings Ottawa Senators | ||
| National team |  Canada | ||
| NHL draft | 176th overall,1978 New York Rangers | ||
| Playing career | 1981–1993 | ||
Stephen K. Weeks (born June 30, 1958) is a Canadian former professionalice hockeygoaltender. Weeks played 13 seasons in theNational Hockey League (NHL) with theNew York Rangers,Hartford Whalers,Vancouver Canucks,New York Islanders,Los Angeles Kings, andOttawa Senators. Weeks was drafted by the Rangers in the1978 NHL Amateur Draft and made his NHL debut with the Rangers in 1981. Internationally, he played for theCanadian national team at the1985 World Championships, winning a silver medal.
Weeks was born inScarborough,Ontario. As a youth, he played in the 1971Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with aminor ice hockey team fromToronto.[1] Weeks playedcollegiate hockey forNorthern Michigan University. While playing for theNorthern Michigan Wildcats, Weeks earned the 1978 team's most improved player award and was named the team's most valuable player in 1980. In 1980, Weeks won the CCHA Player of the Year Award and was a member of the CCHA All Academic Team.[2]
Weeks was selected by theNew York Rangers of theNational Hockey League (NHL) in the 11th round, 176th overall, in the1978 NHL entry draft. Weeks turned pro in 1980, and spent the majority of the1980–81 season with theNew Haven Nighthawks of theAmerican Hockey League (AHL), where he posted a 14 wins, 17 losses and 3 ties (14–17–3) record with a 4.13goals against average (GAA) and ashutout in 36 games with the team.[3] Weeks was recalled by New York three weeks[4] before made his NHL debut on April 2, 1981. He held the powerfulNew York Islanders to only two goals in a 2–1 loss.[5] Weeks also appeared in a playoff game with the Rangers, allowing no goals in 14 minutes of ice time against theLos Angeles Kings.[6]
In1981–82, under new head coachHerb Brooks, Weeks started the season splitting time in the Rangers net withJohn Davidson andEddie Mio.[7] Weeks recorded his first NHL shutout on January 13, 1982, in a 2–0 win over theMinnesota North Stars.[8] He ended up leading New York with a 23–16–9 record with a 3.77 GAA and a shutout in 49 games, and helping the club make the1982 Stanley Cup playoffs. Weeks saw no action in the first round against thePhiladelphia Flyers, but Mio was injured in the first game versus the Islanders and Weeks came in as his substitute and finished the game, earning his first playoff win.[6] However, the Rangers lost to the New York Islanders in thePatrick Division finals in six games.[9] Weeks' playing time decreased in1982–83 as the Rangers went out and traded forGlen Hanlon who became Mio's primary backup.[10] Weeks appeared in just 18 games for the Rangers, going 9–5–3 with a 3.91 GAA. Weeks also saw some action with theTulsa Oilers of theCentral Hockey League (CHL), earning a record of 8–10–0 in 19 games with a 3.23 GAA.[3]
Weeks once again saw some time with Tulsa in1983–84, appearing in three games, going 3–0–0 with a 2.33 GAA in three games.[3] Hanlon and Weeks spent the majority of the1983–84 NHL season as the Rangers' goaltending tandem, with Hanlon playing the majority of the games.[11] Weeks finished the season with the Rangers with a 10–11–2 record with a 3.97 GAA and asave percentage of .865.[3] On September 5, 1984, the Rangers traded Weeks to theHartford Whalers for future considerations.[12]
Weeks was one of three goaltenders acquired by general managerEmile Francis as part of his rebuilding plan for the Whalers.[13] He became the Whalers' backup goaltender for the1984–85 season, first toGreg Millen, then toMike Liut, after Millen and Liut were traded for each other in March 1985.[14] The arrival of the Liut/Weeks tandem marked the backbone of the "Whalermania" era in Hartford.[15] In 23 games, Weeks led the Whalers with two shutouts, and overall posted a 9–12–2 record with a 3.91 GAA and a .870 save percentage. Weeks also saw some time with theBinghamton Whalers of the AHL, earning a 5–0–0 record with a 2.57 GAA in five games with the team.[3]
Weeks backed up Liut in1985–86, going 13–13–0 with a 3.85 GAA and a .863 save percentage in 27 games with the Whalers.[3] The Whalers made the1986 Stanley Cup playoffs on the final day of the season and faced theAdams Division-leadingQuebec Nordiques in the first round. They beat the Nordiques after winning three games in a row and moved on to the second round to face theMontreal Canadiens. The series went to seven games, in which the Whalers lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champions.[16] Weeks appeared in four playoff games with the team, going 1–2 with a 2.84 GAA in three games.[3]
In1986–87, Weeks appeared in 25 games, going 12–8–2 with a 3.42 GAA and .873 save percentage.[3] The Whalers topped the Adams Division and faced the Quebec Nordiques again in the first round of the1987 Stanley Cup playoffs. The Whalers lost the series four games to two, despite winning the first two games of the series.[17] Weeks appeared in one playoff game, going 0–0 with a 1.67 GAA in 36 minutes of playing time. Weeks began the1987–88 season with the Whalers, going 6–7–2 in 18 games, with a 3.59 GAA and .858 save percentage.[3] However, as the Whalers struggled, Francis sought to shake up the team with a series of trades.[18] Among them, on March 8, 1988, the Whalers traded Weeks to theVancouver Canucks for goaltenderRichard Brodeur.[19]
After the trio of Brodeur,Kirk McLean andFrank Caprice began to allow too many goals, Canucks general managerPat Quinn sought a solution to the team's goaltending woes. Quinn acquired Weeks by trading Brodeur, who had become unhappy in Vancouver.[20] Weeks saw increased playing time when he joined the Canucks, appearing in nine games for Vancouver, posting a 4–3–2 record and a 3.38 GAA in nine games.[3] In1988–89, Weeks appeared in 35 games, his highest total since 1981–82 with the Rangers. Weeks earned a record of 11–19–5 with a 2.98 GAA and .893 save percentage with the Canucks as the primary backup to McLean.[3][20] The Canucks qualified for the1989 Stanley Cup playoffs, and in three postseason games against theCalgary Flames, Weeks earned a 1–1 record with a 3.43 GAA and .899 save percentage[3] as the Canucks lost in seven games.[21]
In1989–90, Weeks backed up McLean,[22] playing poorly in only 21 games, and struggled to a 4–11–4 record with a 4.15 GAA, as Vancouver missed the playoffs.[3][23] In1990–91, Weeks appeared in only one game with Vancouver, going 0–1–0 with a 6.10 GAA, being replaced as backup byTroy Gamble.[24] He spent the rest of the season with Vancouver's senior affiliate, theMilwaukee Admirals of theInternational Hockey League,[25] as he recorded a 16–19–0 record in 37 games with a 3.78 GAA. In three playoff games with Milwaukee, Weeks had a 1–2 record and a 3.71 GAA.[3] On March 5, 1991, the Canucks traded Weeks to theBuffalo Sabres for cash considerations.[26][27] After the trade, he remained with the Milwaukee Admirals,[3] and became a free agent after the season.[28]
Weeks was brought to the New York Islanders training camp in September 1991 after goaltenderMark Fitzpatrick suffered a relapse is his fight with a blood disorder.[29] He signed with the Islanders on September 16, 1991, and became the Islanders back-up goaltender for the1991–92 season. In 23 games with the Islanders, Weeks put together a solid 9–4–2 record with a 3.60 GAA and a .890 save percentage.[3] On February 18, 1992, the Islanders traded Weeks to theLos Angeles Kings for the Kings' seventh round draft pick in the1992 NHL entry draft.[30] Weeks finished the 1991–92 season with the Kings as a backup toKelly Hrudey,[30] playing in seven games, going 1–3–0 with a 4.05 GAA and a .875 save percentage.[3]
After the season, Weeks became a free agent, and on June 16, 1992, he signed with theWashington Capitals. The Capitals had attempted to circumvent the rules of the upcoming1992 NHL expansion draft by signing goaltenderBernie Wolfe who had not played since 1979 with the intent of exposing him in the draft in order to protect prospectOlaf Kölzig. The NHL told the Capitals that this was unacceptable and instead, the Capitals signed Weeks.[31] He was not selected, though less than two months later, on August 13, 1992, the Capitals traded Weeks to the expansionOttawa Senators for future considerations.[32]
In seven games with Ottawa in1992–93, Weeks had a 0–5–0 record with a 7.23 GAA and a .792 save percentage.[3] His struggles continued when he played in the minors, as in six games with theNew Haven Senators of the AHL, Weeks went 0–6–0 with a 5.94 GAA.[3] Weeks announced his retirement from the NHL in 1993.[33]
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Representing Canada | ||
| Ice hockey | ||
| World Championships | ||
 | 1985 Czechoslovakia | |
Weeks representedCanada at the1985 World Ice Hockey Championships held inPrague,Czechoslovakia.[34] In five games, Weeks had a 3–1–1 record with a 2.04 GAA,[3] helping Canada win the silver medal.[35][36]
Weeks became the Whalers goaltending consultant following his retirement in 1993. Weeks remained in the organization until 2001, mostly as a goaltending coach and scout.[37] However, he was an assistant coach for the Whalers in their final season in1996–97.[38]
Weeks was an assistant coach with theAtlanta Thrashers from 2001 to 2010. He was originally hired by the Thrashers on June 26, 2001, as an assistant to head coachCurt Fraser. After Fraser was let go on December 29, 2002, Weeks stayed on as an assistant to interim coachDon Waddell.[39] He remained with the club as an assistant with head coachesBob Hartley, who was hired in January 2003 and let go in October 2007,[40][41] Waddell again as an interim coach for the rest of the2007–08 season[42] andJohn Anderson beginning in 2008.[43] Weeks was let go when Anderson was fired on April 14, 2010.[44]
Weeks became the Chicago Blackhawks goaltending coach on August 12, 2013, replacingStéphane Waite who departed for the Montreal Canadiens.[45] His was fired by the Blackhawks on June 27, 2014.[46] He was replaced byJimmy Waite, a former goaltender of the Blackhawks who returned to the club.[47]
Weeks was inducted in the Northern Michigan University's hall of fame in 1990.[2]
| Regular season | Playoffs | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | GP | W | L | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | ||
| 1975–76 | Toronto Marlboros | OMJHL | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1976–77 | Northern Michigan University | NCAA | 16 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 811 | 58 | 0 | 4.29 | .858 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 60 | 6 | 0 | 6.00 | — | ||
| 1977–78 | Northern Michigan University | NCAA | 19 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 1015 | 56 | 1 | 3.31 | .901 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1978–79 | Northern Michigan University | NCAA | 25 | 13 | 8 | 2 | 1437 | 82 | 0 | 3.42 | .902 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 151 | 10 | 0 | 3.97 | — | ||
| 1979–80 | Northern Michigan University | NCAA | 36 | 29 | 6 | 1 | 2133 | 105 | 1 | 2.95 | .910 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 330 | 18 | 0 | 3.97 | — | ||
| 1980–81 | New York Rangers | NHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 59 | 2 | 0 | 2.04 | .909 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 4.29 | .900 | ||
| 1980–81 | New Haven Nighthawks | AHL | 36 | 14 | 17 | 3 | 2065 | 142 | 1 | 4.13 | .866 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1981–82 | New York Rangers | NHL | 49 | 23 | 16 | 9 | 2849 | 179 | 1 | 3.77 | .868 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 127 | 9 | 0 | 4.27 | .857 | ||
| 1982–83 | New York Rangers | NHL | 18 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1040 | 68 | 0 | 3.92 | .862 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1982–83 | Tulsa Oilers | CHL | 19 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 1116 | 60 | 0 | 3.23 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1983–84 | New York Rangers | NHL | 26 | 10 | 11 | 2 | 1358 | 90 | 0 | 3.98 | .865 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1983–84 | Tulsa Oilers | CHL | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 180 | 7 | 0 | 2.33 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984–85 | Hartford Whalers | NHL | 24 | 10 | 12 | 2 | 1454 | 92 | 2 | 3.80 | .873 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984–85 | Binghamton Whalers | AHL | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 303 | 13 | 0 | 2.57 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1985–86 | Hartford Whalers | NHL | 27 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 1542 | 99 | 1 | 3.85 | .863 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 168 | 8 | 0 | 2.86 | .875 | ||
| 1986–87 | Hartford Whalers | NHL | 25 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 1367 | 78 | 1 | 3.42 | .873 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 1 | 0 | 1.65 | .955 | ||
| 1987–88 | Hartford Whalers | NHL | 18 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 918 | 55 | 0 | 3.59 | .858 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1987–88 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 9 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 550 | 31 | 0 | 3.38 | .891 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 35 | 11 | 19 | 5 | 2056 | 102 | 0 | 2.98 | .892 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 140 | 8 | 0 | 3.43 | .899 | ||
| 1989–90 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 21 | 4 | 11 | 4 | 1142 | 79 | 0 | 4.15 | .872 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 59 | 6 | 0 | 6.11 | .793 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Milwaukee Admirals | IHL | 37 | 16 | 19 | 0 | 2014 | 127 | 0 | 3.78 | — | 3 | 1 | 2 | 210 | 13 | 0 | 3.71 | — | ||
| 1991–92 | New York Islanders | NHL | 23 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 1032 | 62 | 0 | 3.61 | .890 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | Los Angeles Kings | NHL | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 252 | 17 | 0 | 4.04 | .875 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Ottawa Senators | NHL | 7 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 249 | 30 | 0 | 7.22 | .792 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | New Haven Senators | AHL | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 323 | 32 | 0 | 5.94 | .845 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL Totals | 291 | 112 | 119 | 33 | 15927 | 990 | 5 | 3.73 | .872 | 12 | 3 | 5 | 484 | 27 | 0 | 3.34 | .887 | ||||
| Year | Team | Event | GP | W | L | T | MIN | GA | SO | GAA | SV% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Canada | WC | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 265 | 9 | 1 | 2.04 | — | |
| Senior totals | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 265 | 9 | 1 | 2.04 | — | |||
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| All-CCHASecond Team | 1978–79 | [48] |
| All-CCHAFirst Team | 1979–80 | [48] |
| All-NCAAAll-Tournament Team | 1980 | [49] |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | CCHA Player of the Year 1979–80 | Succeeded by |