18 Facts About Keith Tkachuk

Keith Matthew Tkachuk is an American former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League in a 18-year career with the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, St Louis Blues and Atlanta Thrashers, retiring in 2010.

Keith Tkachuk played one season of collegiate hockey at Boston University, was a member of the United States national junior team in 1991 and 1992 and a member of Team USA in 1992.

Keith Tkachuk played as a center, left winger and right winger in his career.

Keith Tkachuk has earned the nickname "Walt", possibly in reference to Walter Tkaczuk, a star center who played for the New York Rangers from 1967 to 1981.

Only days after the end of the 1992 Winter Olympics, Keith Tkachuk made his NHL debut on February 28,1992, against the Vancouver Canucks, where he tallied an assist.

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Keith Tkachuk became the team captain the next season on November 3,1993, two weeks after recording his first hat-trick, against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Keith Tkachuk led the Jets in power play goals, game-winning goals, shots and plus-minus rating .

Jets relocated to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1996, where Keith Tkachuk remained a member of the newly named Phoenix Coyotes and was re-appointed captain, replacing Kris King.

In 1997, Keith Tkachuk appeared on the front cover of the video game NHL Breakaway '98.

Keith Tkachuk would leave the Coyotes ranking second in all-time goals and first in penalty minutes, among other records.

On February 25,2007, Keith Tkachuk was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for Glen Metropolit, a first-round pick in 2007, a third-round pick in 2007 and a second-round pick in 2008.

Blues Head Coach Andy Murray announced that he would try a line where Keith Tkachuk would be centering Kariya on left wing and Brad Boyes on the right.

On November 30,2008, Keith Tkachuk scored goal number 511, giving him 1,000 NHL points for his career.

One of the elite power forwards of his era, Keith Tkachuk was known for his aggressive, physical style while consistently scoring points.

Keith Tkachuk had more than 100 penalty minutes in 10 of his 19 NHL seasons, including three seasons with over 200 penalty minutes.

Keith Tkachuk was known for his goal-scoring prowess, scoring 30 goals eight times, including two 40-goal seasons and two back-to-back 50 goal seasons, the latter of which he led the NHL in goals, with 52.

Keith Tkachuk has been married to Chantal Oster, whom he met in Winnipeg, since February 28,1997, and has three children — Matthew, Brady, and Taryn.

Keith Tkachuk is Irish on his mother's side, and is cousin to New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald, with whom he grew up.