NEWARK, NJ – Former Union men's ice hockey goaltender Keith Kinkaid made his NHL debut last night in net for the New Jersey Devils in a 5-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Kinkaid is the fifth Union Hockey alum to appear in the NHL, and the first Union goaltender to appear in an NHL game since Steve Baker in 1983.
In his NHL debut, Kinkaid wore No. 35, and relieved starting goaltender Johan Hedberg at the 13:13 mark of the second period with the Devils trailing 3-0. At 1:08 into the third period, Kinkaid made his best save of the night on the league's leading goal-scorer, Steven Stamkos, who skated in alone on a breakaway. Kinkaid made a sprawling left pad save on Stamkos to keep the Devils in the game.
Kinkaid finished the night with 12 saves on 13 shots, allowing the lone goal to Tampa Bay's Nate Thompson, who scored in the slot through a screen at 8:36 of the third period.
At Union, Kinkaid was named a 2010-11 AHCA First Team All-American and was also the recipient of the Ken Dryden Award as the league's top goaltender, becoming the first Union goaltender to earn both honors since Trevor Koenig in 1997. Kinkaid helped Union earn its first ever Cleary Cup as regular season champions, and the school's first berth to the NCAA Tournament in the Division I era.
He finished his sophomore year with a record of 25-10-3, compiling a save percentage of .920 and a then-school-record goals-against average of 1.99, which was fourth best in the nation.
Kinkaid was even more impressive in 22 league contests, putting up a record of 17-3-2 with a .926 save percentage and a conference-leading 1.90 goals against average. He allowed two goals or less in 15 league contests and 24 contests overall, with three shutouts.
He completed his career at Union with a 37-18-6 mark with four shutouts in 63 appearances. He recorded a 2.18 goals-against average and .917 save percentage for his career, and sits atop the Union record books in both categories, and is second on the school's all-time wins list. In 2009-10, he was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team, while earning Third Team All-ECAC honors.
Kinkaid joins former teammate
Jeremy Welsh '13, defenseman Duane Joyce '87, defenseman Mario Giallonardo, and goaltender Steve Baker on the list of Union Hockey alumni who have appeared in the NHL.
Union Hockey Alumni In The NHL (bold means active)
Keith Kinkaid (2009-11), Goaltender - New Jersey Devils
Jeremy Welsh '13, Forward - Carolina Hurricanes
Duane Joyce '87, Defenseman - Dallas Stars
Mario Giallonardo (1975-76), Defenseman - Colorado Rockies
Steve Baker (1975-76), Goaltender - New York Rangers
