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Steve Weeks

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Steve Weeks
Born (1958-06-30) June 30, 1958 (age 66)
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 professional ice hockey goaltender. Weeks played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the New York Rangers, Hartford Whalers, Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, and Ottawa Senators. Weeks was drafted by the Rangers in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft and made his NHL debut with the Rangers in 1981. Internationally, he played for the Canadian national team at the 1985 World Championships, winning a silver medal.

Playing career

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Weeks was born in Scarborough, Ontario. As a youth, he played in the 1971 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Toronto.[1] Weeks played collegiate hockey for Northern Michigan University. While playing for the Northern 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]

New York Rangers

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Weeks was selected by the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 11th round, 176th overall, in the 1978 NHL entry draft. Weeks turned pro in 1980, and spent the majority of the 1980–81 season with the New Haven Nighthawks of the American Hockey League (AHL), where he posted a 14 wins, 17 losses and 3 ties (14–17–3) record with a 4.13 goals against average (GAA) and a shutout 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 powerful New 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 the Los Angeles Kings.[6]

In 1981–82, under new head coach Herb Brooks, Weeks started the season splitting time in the Rangers net with John Davidson and Eddie Mio.[7] Weeks recorded his first NHL shutout on January 13, 1982 in a 2–0 win over the Minnesota 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 the 1982 Stanley Cup playoffs. Weeks saw no action in the first round against the Philadelphia 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 the Patrick Division finals in six games.[9] Weeks' playing time decreased in 1982–83 as the Rangers went out and traded for Glen 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 the Tulsa Oilers of the Central 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 in 1983–84, appearing in three games, going 3–0–0 with a 2.33 GAA in three games.[3] Hanlon and Weeks spent the majority of the 1983–84 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 a save percentage of .865.[3] On September 5, 1984, the Rangers traded Weeks to the Hartford Whalers for future considerations.[12]

Hartford Whalers

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Weeks was one of three goaltenders acquired by general manager Emile Francis as part of his rebuilding plan for the Whalers.[13] He became the Whalers' backup goaltender for the 1984–85 season, first to Greg Millen, then to Mike 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 the Binghamton 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 in 1985–86, going 13–13–0 with a 3.85 GAA and a .863 save percentage in 27 games with the Whalers.[3] The Whalers made the 1986 Stanley Cup playoffs on the final day of the season and faced the Adams Division-leading Quebec 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 the Montreal 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]

In 1986–87, 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 the 1987 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 the 1987–88 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 the Vancouver Canucks for goaltender Richard Brodeur.[19]

Vancouver Canucks

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After the trio of Brodeur, Kirk McLean and Frank Caprice began to allow to many goals, Canucks general manager Pat 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] In 1988–89, 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 the 1989 Stanley Cup playoffs, and in three postseason games against the Calgary 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]

In 1989–90, 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] In 1990–91, Weeks appeared in only one game with Vancouver, going 0–1–0 with a 6.10 GAA, being replaced as backup by Troy Gamble.[24] He spent the rest of the season with Vancouver's senior affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals of the International 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 the Buffalo 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]

Final seasons

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Weeks was brought to the New York Islanders training camp in September 1991 after goaltender Mark 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 the 1991–92 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 the Los Angeles Kings for the Kings' seventh round draft pick in the 1992 NHL entry draft.[30] Weeks finished the 1991–92 season with the Kings as a backup to Kelly 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 the Washington Capitals. The Capitals had attempted to circumvent the rules of the upcoming 1992 NHL expansion draft by signing goaltender Bernie Wolfe who had not played since 1979 with the intent of exposing him in the draft in order to protect prospect Olaf 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 expansion Ottawa Senators for future considerations.[32]

In seven games with Ottawa in 1992–93, 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 the New 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]

International career

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Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 1985 Czechoslovakia

Weeks represented Canada at the 1985 World Ice Hockey Championships held in Prague, 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]

Coaching career

[edit]

Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes

[edit]

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 in 1996–97.[38]

Atlanta Thrashers

[edit]

Weeks was an assistant coach with the Atlanta Thrashers from 2001 to 2010. He was originally hired by the Thrashers on June 26, 2001, as an assistant to head coach Curt Fraser. After Fraser was let go on December 29, 2002, Weeks stayed on as an assistant to interim coach Don Waddell.[39] He remained with the club as an assistant with head coaches Bob 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 the 2007–08 season[42] and John Anderson beginning in 2008.[43] Weeks was let go when Anderson was fired on April 14, 2010.[44]

Chicago Blackhawks

[edit]

Weeks became the Chicago Blackhawks goaltending coach on August 12, 2013, replacing Stéphane Waite who departed for the Montreal Canadiens.[45] His was fired by the Blackhawks on June 27, 2014.[46] He was replaced by Jimmy Waite, a former goaltender of the Blackhawks who returned to the club.[47]

Personal life

[edit]

Weeks was inducted in the Northern Michigan University's hall of fame in 1990.[2]

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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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

International

[edit]
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 —

Awards and honours

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Award Year
All-CCHA Second Team 1978–79 [48]
All-CCHA First Team 1979–80 [48]
All-NCAA All-Tournament Team 1980 [49]

Citations

[edit]
  1. ^ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Steve Weeks". Northern Michigan Wildcats. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Steve Weeks". Hockey-reference.com. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  4. ^ Clarity, James F. (April 2, 1981). "Rangers to Start Rookie Goalie". The New York Times. p. B13. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  5. ^ Clarity, James F. (April 3, 1981). "Weeks Stands Up Well in Rangers Debut". The New York Times. p. A20. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Clarity, James F. (April 16, 1982). "Weeks Passes a Rangers Test". The New York Times. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  7. ^ Blumenstock, Kathy (October 5, 1982). "'Positive' Capitals Begin Anew Tonight in N.Y." The Washington Post. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  8. ^ "Pat Hickey and Ron Duguay scored one goal apiece..." UPI. January 13, 1982. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  9. ^ Kreiser & Friedman 1996, p. 243.
  10. ^ Kreiser & Friedman 1996, p. 249.
  11. ^ Kreiser & Friedman 1996, pp. 252–253.
  12. ^ "Football". The Washington Post. September 5, 1984. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  13. ^ Codagnone 2007, p. 69.
  14. ^ Baker, Chris (March 1, 1985). "The NHL : When Blues Sent Liut to Hartford, It Broke the Ice in Trade Activity". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  15. ^ Codagnone 2007, p. 88.
  16. ^ Rennie 1990, pp. 28, 32.
  17. ^ Codagnone 2007, p. 89.
  18. ^ Fischler, Fischler & Dionisio 1988, p. 116.
  19. ^ Brown, Maniago & Carling 2008, p. 194.
  20. ^ a b Fischler, Fischler & Dionisio 1988, p. 303.
  21. ^ Johnston, Patrick (December 29, 2019). "Canucks at 50: The pain of Joel Otto's kick in goal in OT still hurts 30 years later". The Province. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  22. ^ Wigge 1989, p. 53.
  23. ^ "NHL Season Preview". Tampa Bay Times. October 4, 1990. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  24. ^ Dinger & Duplacey 1991, p. 88.
  25. ^ Dinger & Duplacey 1991, p. 90.
  26. ^ Brown, Maniago & Carling 2008, p. 195.
  27. ^ "Hockey (NHL) * Buffalo Sabres — Traded…". Baltimore Sun. March 6, 1991. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  28. ^ "NHL Capsules". UPI. September 27, 1991. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  29. ^ Lapointe, Joe (September 7, 1991). "Notebook: Hockey; Rangers Explore Trade for Messier". The New York Times. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  30. ^ a b Springer, Steve (February 19, 1992). "Kings Get Goalie; Coffey Deal Considered : Hockey: Islanders' Weeks, obtained for seventh-round draft choice, will be backup for Hrudey". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  31. ^ Raby 2019.
  32. ^ Allen, Scott (June 20, 2017). "The time the Caps signed a 40-year-old financial planner to circumvent NHL rules". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
  33. ^ Podnieks 2003, p. 900.
  34. ^ Pedergnana, Herman (April 23, 1985). "The United States squeaked by West Germany 4-3, and..." UPI. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  35. ^ Duplacey 1998, p. 507.
  36. ^ "Czechoslovakia Beats Canada for Gold, 5-3". The Washington Post. May 4, 1985. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  37. ^ "Coach Card: Steve Weeks". National Hockey League. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  38. ^ Codagnone 2007, p. 127.
  39. ^ "Thrashers fire Fraser". CBC Sports. December 29, 2002. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  40. ^ Parsons, Keith (January 14, 2003). "Thrashers Hire Bob Hartley As Coach". Midland Daily News. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  41. ^ Burnside, Scott (October 17, 2007). "Thrashers' woes go way beyond coach Hartley". ESPN. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  42. ^ "Thrashers GM Waddell scouting for No. 3 overall draft pick, coach". The Hockey News. The Canadian Press. June 19, 2008. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  43. ^ "Cunneyworth, Nelson picked as Thrashers' assistant coaches". ESPN. Associated Press. July 25, 2008. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  44. ^ "Anderson ousted as Thrashers head coach". CBC Sports. April 14, 2010. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  45. ^ "Blackhawks name Weeks goaltending coach". Chicago Tribune. August 15, 2013. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  46. ^ "Blackhawks fire goalie coach Weeks". NBC Sports. June 27, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  47. ^ "Blackhawks Assistant Kompon Reportedly Leaving Team". NBC Chicago. July 8, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
  48. ^ a b "CCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  49. ^ "NCAA Frozen Four Records" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 19, 2013.

References

[edit]
  • Brown, Ben; Maniago, Stephanie; Carling, TC, eds. (2008), Vancouver Canucks Media Guide 2008–09, Vancouver Canucks, OCLC 41412568
  • Codagnone, Brian (2007). The Hartford Whalers. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7385-5501-0.
  • Dinger, Ralph; Duplacey, James, eds. (1991). Official Guide & Record Book 1991–92. Toronto: National Hockey League. ISBN 0-920445-19-5.
  • Duplacey, James, ed. (1998). Total Hockey: The official encyclopedia of the National Hockey League. Total Sports. pp. 498–528. ISBN 0-8362-7114-9.
  • Fischler, Stan; Fischler, Shirley; Dionisio, Joseph (1988), Breakaway: The Essential Viewer's Guide to the NHL, Toronto: Collins, ISSN 0832-5294
  • Kreiser, John; Friedman, Lou (1996). Halligan, John (ed.). The New York Rangers: Broadway's Longest-Running Hit. Champaign, Illinois: Sagamore Publishing. ISBN 1-57167-041-6.
  • Podnieks, Andrew (2003). Players: The Ultimate A–Z Guide of Everyone Who Has Ever Played in the NHL. Toronto: Doubleday Canada. ISBN 0-385-25999-9.
  • Raby, Ben (2019). "59: A Comeback 13 Years in the Making". 100 Things Capitals Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die. Chicago: Triumph Books. ISBN 978-1-6412-5214-0.
  • Rennie, Ross (1990). The Hartford Whalers. Mankato, Minnesota: Creative Education. ISBN 0-88682-279-3.
  • Wigge, Larry, ed. (1989). Hockey Guide (1989–90 ed.). St. Louis, Missouri: The Sporting News. ISBN 0-89204-329-6.
[edit]
Awards and achievements
Preceded by CCHA Player of the Year
1979–80 		Succeeded by
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