As training camps across the NHL gear up, one notable name catching attention is Keith Kinkaid. The Long Island native, who is currently attending the New York Islanders' camp on a professional tryout (PTO), is on the verge of achieving a rare feat in the NHL: joining an exclusive club of goaltenders who have played for all three local teams. If Kinkaid secures a spot with the Islanders, he will become only the fourth goalie to complete this hat trick, joining Mike Dunham, John Vanbiesbrouck, and Kevin Weekes.
The Rare Hat Trick: Past Achievements
Mike Dunham began his NHL career with the New Jersey Devils during the 1997-1998 season, where he appeared in 41 games. In this stint, Dunham recorded a solid Goals Against Average (GAA) of 2.42 and a save percentage (SV%) of .909, showcasing his ability to hold his ground effectively. His tenure with the Devils was marked by a respectable performance. Moving on to the New York Rangers for the 2003-2004 season, Dunham had a more prominent role, playing 100 games. Although his GAA increased to 2.70 and his save percentage slightly dipped to .908, he managed a significant workload with seven shutouts, reflecting his resilience. However, his final stint with the New York Islanders in 2007 was less impactful. In 19 games, Dunham struggled with a GAA of 3.74 and a save percentage of .889, indicating a challenging period in his career.
John Vanbiesbrouck, known for his storied career, had a brief but notable tenure with the New Jersey Devils during the 2001-2002 season. In nine games, Vanbiesbrouck boasted an impressive GAA of 1.78 and a save percentage of .924, demonstrating his effectiveness and skill in his limited appearances. His most significant period came with the New York Rangers from 1982 to 1993. Over 449 games, Vanbiesbrouck accumulated 200 wins with a GAA of 3.45 and a save percentage of .890. Despite a higher GAA, his career with the Rangers was distinguished by longevity and numerous victories. His final tenure with the New York Islanders in 2001 was less successful, with 44 games played, a GAA of 3.04, and a save percentage of .898. This period did not highlight his best performances but was still a notable chapter in his career.
Kevin Weekes had a varied career across the three New York-area teams. With the New Jersey Devils in the 2008-2009 season, he played 25 games, achieving a GAA of 2.58 and a save percentage of .912, showing a competent performance as a backup goaltender. His time with the New York Rangers in the 2006-2007 season saw him participate in 46 games, where he recorded a GAA of 3.01 and a save percentage of .890. This period was marked by a mix of promise and challenges, reflecting a competitive but inconsistent performance. Weekes’ stint with the New York Islanders in 2000 was marked by struggles. In 36 games, he had a higher GAA of 3.51 and a save percentage of .902, reflecting a less successful phase in his career.
In summary, each goaltender had distinct phases in their careers across the three New York-area teams. Mike Dunham showed solid performances with the Devils and Rangers but struggled with the Islanders. John Vanbiesbrouck had a standout career with the Rangers and a solid stint with the Devils, though his time with the Islanders was less notable. Kevin Weekes demonstrated competence with the Devils but faced challenges with the Rangers and Islanders. These goaltenders contributed uniquely to the goaltending legacy in the New York area, each with their strengths and struggles.
Keith Kinkaid: A Local Talent's Journey
Keith Kinkaid, a Sachem High School East graduate from 2007, has had a compelling journey in professional hockey. After playing for the St. Louis Bandits in the NAHL, Kinkaid committed to Union College, where his performance was stellar. In his sophomore year, he posted a 25-10-3 record and led the Dutchmen to their first NCAA tournament appearance. His accolades included being named AHCA East First Team All-American and receiving the Ken Dryden Award as the best goaltender in the ECAC.
Kinkaid’s NHL journey began with the New Jersey Devils, who signed him to an entry-level contract in April 2011. Over his career, he has appeared in 157 NHL games and holds a record of 65-56-20 with a goals against average under three.
Reflecting on his early career, Kinkaid said, “Hockey was always my number one sport. I remember growing up, I had to drop a sport each year because it’s a little too much and you can’t make all the practices. I’m thankful for my parents for always being available and taking me to practice.” His commitment to hockey was evident from a young age, even as he balanced other sports like baseball and lacrosse.
Discussing his transition from high school to junior hockey, Kinkaid noted, “It was the opportunity to play elsewhere, play at a higher level. Not that hockey wasn’t good here, but at the time it was only Tier 3 Junior A. Just to get that exposure to more colleges and be coached by a former NHL player didn’t hurt either.”
On his decision to play college hockey at Union College, he remarked, “You want to look to play right away. They gave me the option to at least split half the season. The campus and academics were amazing, and being the number one D1 team on campus was a pretty good reason to go.”
Kinkaid also reflected on his debut and early NHL career. “You always hope, but you’ve got to be patient. I was very thankful for my three years in the NHL before I did eventually make my first start. Goals take time. Everyone takes time,” he said. His NHL debut was memorable, as he faced a breakaway from Steven Stamkos and recalled, “I was a little shaky. There I am, I guess, facing Steven Stamkos on a breakaway. Yeah, early in the third. That was fun.”
Kinkaid’s experience as a backup and the challenges that come with it were also a key part of our conversation. “It’s definitely a challenge each and every day. I know going long stretches without getting a game and having to be at your highest level once every two weeks, that’s tough. When I was doing that with Corey Schneider, who’s an awesome guy, by the way, and he was always pushing me, I’d push him. When you get that chance, you really have to perform, like I said. Everyone wants results. You’ve got to do little things, too. Be a good teammate on and off the ice. You’ve got to stay out late and do all the little stuff until you can finally get in that role.”
Kinkaid also shared insights on his experiences with various teams, including his time with the Columbus Blue Jackets. “I remember it being really tough, especially playing 80 games the past two seasons, and we were still in the current season. After all, you just had to make it work. The guys in Columbus did make it awesome for me, and Manny Legacy really helped me through a lot. Just to be a part of that playoff run with Columbus was fun.”
Reflecting on his recent experiences, Kinkaid said, “As a free agent, I just want a good reset from last season and be in a good situation to be a regular NHLer each day and prove that. I think things start picking up a little later, so just hoping for a good situation out of everything and an opportunity to prove myself that I do still belong in the NHL.”
Shortly after our interview in August 2020 (below), Keith Kinkaid signed a contract with the New York Rangers, marking a significant step in his career. By March 2021, he made his debut as a Ranger. Following his first start, I had the opportunity to speak with him. Reflecting on his journey, Kinkaid shared, "Yeah, I think, you know, they showed the most interest in me and to get a two-year contract to prove myself and wait for an opportunity like this and be close to home, obviously, the Rangers organization is all the way at the top for me. It's a lot of factors combined into my decision to sign here. I feel really comfortable being in my home base, and I knew a few of the guys here. I think back in college, I went to a camp here, a development camp, and everything was so positive. So, I think everything added up, and like I said, you just got to wait. I knew those guys are young and talented ahead of me, and I still think I have plenty of gas left in the tank, so I'm ready to prove that."
After his stint with the Rangers, Kinkaid continued his journey through the NHL. On July 13, 2022, he signed a two-way contract with the Boston Bruins. His time in Boston was brief, as on February 25, 2023, he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Shane Bowers. Kinkaid's tenure with the Avalanche was also short-lived, and on September 13, 2023, he signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New Jersey Devils, marking a return to the team where he had previously spent several seasons.
During his career, Kinkaid has shown versatility and resilience. His statistics reflect a varied career, with notable performances across different teams. For the New Jersey Devils, Kinkaid played multiple seasons, with his best year coming in 2017-18 when he appeared in 41 games, achieving a .913 save percentage and a 2.77 goals-against average. His stint with the Rangers in the 2020-21 season included 9 games with a .898 save percentage and a 2.59 goals-against average. His brief appearances with the Bruins and Avalanche in the 2022-23 season showed strong performances, including a .968 save percentage with Boston and a .889 save percentage with Colorado, highlighting his ability to make an impact despite limited ice time.
Currently, Kinkaid is attending the New York Islanders' training camp. This opportunity arises amidst concerns about Ilya Sorokin's reported injury, which might impact his availability for the start of the season. With GM Lou Lamoriello potentially needing to find a reliable backup for Semyon Varlamov, Kinkaid's presence at camp could be a strategic move. Given that Kinkaid spent much of the previous season in the AHL, it is possible that he could be destined for a role with the Bridgeport Islanders. However, his tryout with the Islanders is a chance for the team to evaluate him before making any decisions.
As a Long Island native who trains at the Islanders' facility during the summer, Kinkaid’s tryout was a natural fit. “I did grow up an Islander fan,” Kinkaid said. “I loved coming to the Coliseum. That was always a joy of my life. It’s really cool. I played for the Devils and Rangers; I’m hoping we can make the Tri-State or Metropolitan-area trio.”
Kinkaid's goal is to leverage his experience as he enters his 14th season to impress the Islanders and secure a spot. He aims to compete for the No. 3 goalie position, needing to outperform Marcus Hogberg and Tristan Lennox in camp. If successful, he could become a valuable asset to the Islanders this season and join Mike Dunham, John Vanbiesbrouck, and Kevin Weekes as the only goaltenders to play for all three area teams.
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