Kevin Porter (ice hockey)

Kevin Porter
Born	March 12, 1986 Northville, MI, USA
Height	6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight	190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position	Center
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Pittsburgh Penguins Phoenix Coyotes Colorado Avalanche Buffalo Sabres
NHL Draft	119th overall, 2004 Phoenix Coyotes
Playing career	2008–present

Kevin M. Porter (born March 12, 1986) is an American professional ice hockey center currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career

Amateur

Porter was drafted in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes in the fourth round, 119th overall. Drafted after two seasons selected to the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan as a skilled undersized scorer, Porter was then recruited to the University of Michigan hockey program in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.^[1]

In his 2004–05 freshman season with the Wolverines, Porter scored 11 goals in 39 games to finish with 24 points, second among Wolverine rookies to fellow USNTDP product and Coyotes draft pick, Chad Kolarik. Establishing his scoring touch as a sophomore with 38 points in 39 games, Kevin returned as a junior to lead the Wolverines with 24 goals and place second among points with 58 to earn player of the Month award (November) and nomination to the CCHA Second All-Star Team.^[2]

With the departure of prolific Michigan scorer T. J. Hensick, Porter returned to captain the Wolverines for his senior year in 2007–08.^[3] For the fourth consecutive season Porter improved his season totals posting 33 goals and 63 points in 43 games to lead the U of M and place second only to Nathan Gerbe in the NCAA. He set a NCAA Tournament record with four goals in the East Regional Semi-Final against Niagara, as he captained the Wolverines to the Frozen four for the first time since 2003.^[4] Named as the University of Michigan Male sports person of the Year, Porter's standout season was also awarded with selection to the CCHA First All-Star Team, CCHA Player of the Year and the NCAA West First All-American Team to culminate in winning the Hobey Baker Award as the top collegiate player in the NCAA.^[5][6]

Professional

Shortly after completing his collegiate career, on April 14, 2008, Porter signed a three-year entry level contract with the Coyotes.^[7] He then joined the Coyotes affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League, for their first-round play-off run.

In the 2008–09 season, Porter made the Coyotes opening season roster and made his NHL debut in a 3–1 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 11, 2008, picking up an assist, his first NHL point.^[8] Porter scored his first career NHL goal on October 30, 2008, in a 4–1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins.^[9] At the turn of the year with a reduced role offensively, Porter was assigned by the Coyotes to the AHL for the majority of the remaining season and developed a scoring touch to lead the Rampage in Plus/minus (+7). He finished his first professional season with 5 goals for 10 points in 34 games with the Coyotes.

Porter was assigned to the Rampage to start the 2009–10 season. He was recalled by the Coyotes on numerous occasions but was limited to just 4 games. On March 3, 2010, while with the Rampage, Porter was traded by the Coyotes, along with Peter Mueller, to the Colorado Avalanche for forward Wojtek Wolski.^[10] After skating in four games with Avalanche affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters, Porter received his first recall to Colorado on March 11, 2010,^[11] where he made his Avalanche debut in a 3–0 victory over the Florida Panthers.^[12] Used in a checking line role, Porter scored his first goal in his 8th game with the Avalanche against his former team, the Coyotes, in a 6–2 loss on March 28, 2010.^[13] He finished the season making his NHL post season debut in four games against the San Jose Sharks before re-signing with the Avalanche as a restricted free agent to a one-year contract on June 17, 2010.^[14]

In the 2011–12 season on December 9, 2011, Porter was suspended for 4 games for a knee on knee hit with Vancouver Canucks forward David Booth.^[15]

On July 5, 2012, Porter signed as a free agent to a two-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres.^[16] With the 2012 NHL lockout in affect, Porter was assigned directly to affiliate, the Rochester Americans, and selected as team Captain.^[17] During the 2012–13 season, Porter was leading the Americans in points when he was recalled by the Sabres on February 20, 2013.

On July 1, 2014, the Detroit Red Wings signed Porter to a one-year, two-way contract.^[18] During the 2014–15 season, Porter recorded 16 goals and 23 assists in 76 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins.

On July 1, 2015, the Pittsburgh Penguins signed Porter to a one-year, two-way contract.^[19]

International play

Medal record
Competitor for  United States
Ice hockey
World U18 Championships
	2004 Minsk

A product of the USNTDP system, Porter made his international debut with the United States as a young 17-year-old in the 2003 World Under 18 Championships in Yaroslavl, Russia.^[20] After posting 2 points in 6 games to finish out of the medals, in fourth place, Kevin returned in his final year with the Development Program to play in the succeeding 2004 World Under 18 Championships in Minsk, Belarus. In a prominent senior role, Kevin scored 2 goals and 6 assists to place second on the team with 8 points as USA went on to claim the Silver medal, losing 3–2 to Russia in the final on April 18, 2004.^[21]

During a successful freshman year with the University of Michigan, Porter was added to the Team USA side hosting the 2005 World Junior Championships in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Porter amassed 3 goals and 5 points in 7 games. He scored in the Bronze medal game against the Czech Republic, however again missed the medals and finished fourth.^[22][23] Porter was selected to his fourth junior tournament as a sophomore with Team USA at the 2006 World Junior Championships in Vancouver, Canada. As Captain of the United States, he led the team to a second consecutive fourth place finish, compiling 6 points in 7 games to be named as Team USA's best forward by his teammates.^[24]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2002–03	U.S. National Development Team	USHL		72	29	22	51	27		—	—	—	—	—
2003–04	U.S. National Development Team	USHL		55	8	29	37	30		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	University of Michigan	CCHA		39	11	13	24	51		—	—	—	—	—
2005–06	University of Michigan	CCHA		39	17	21	38	30		—	—	—	—	—
2006–07	University of Michigan	CCHA		41	24	34	58	16		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	University of Michigan	CCHA		43	33	30	63	18		—	—	—	—	—
2007–08	San Antonio Rampage	AHL		—	—	—	—	—		7	0	4	4	0
2008–09	Phoenix Coyotes	NHL		34	5	5	10	4		—	—	—	—	—
2008–09	San Antonio Rampage	AHL		42	13	22	35	14		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	San Antonio Rampage	AHL		52	15	25	40	31		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Phoenix Coyotes	NHL		4	0	0	0	0		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Lake Erie Monsters	AHL		4	1	0	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2009–10	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		16	2	1	3	0		4	0	0	0	0
2010–11	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		74	14	11	25	27		—	—	—	—	—
2011–12	Colorado Avalanche	NHL		35	4	3	7	17		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Rochester Americans	AHL		48	15	29	44	38		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		31	4	5	9	10		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Buffalo Sabres	NHL		12	0	1	1	2		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Rochester Americans	AHL		50	19	17	36	24		5	0	3	3	0
2014–15	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL		76	16	23	39	25		16	1	3	4	14
NHL totals				206	29	26	55	60		4	0	0	0	0

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2003	United States	U18	4th		6	0	2	2	30
2004	United States	U18			6	2	6	8	4
2005	United States	WJC	4th		7	3	2	5	6
2006	United States	WJC	4th		7	2	4	6	2
Junior totals					26	7	14	21	42

Awards and honors

Award	Year
College
All-CCHA Second Team	2006–07	[25]
CCHA All-Tournament Team	2007	[26]
All-CCHA First Team	2007–08	[25]
All-CCHA Player of the Year	2007–08	[27]
AHCA West First-Team All-American	2007–08
Hobey Baker Award	2007–08	[6]

References

1. "Kolarik, Porter to join Wolverines program next season". Michigan Wolverines. 2003-11-20. Retrieved 2010-12-27.
2. "Michigan's Kevin Porter named RBC Financial Group Player of the Month". Central Collegiate Hockey Association. 2007-12-04. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
3. "Porter ready to lead Michigan Wolverines". Phoenix Coyotes. 2007-09-17. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
4. "Record setting Porter leads Michigan past Niagara". USCHO.com. 2008-03-28. Archived from the original on October 24, 2008. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
5. "Porter named one of 10 finalists for Hobey Baker Award". Central Collegiate Hockey Association. 2008-05-25. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
6. "Kevin Porter wins Hobey Baker Award". Michigan Daily. 2008-04-10. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
7. "Coyotes sign 2008 Hobey Baker winner Kevin Porter". Phoenix Coyotes. 2008-04-14. Retrieved 2008-05-10.
8. "Newcomers contribute in opener". Phoenix Coyotes. 2008-10-11. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
9. "Crosby hurt in loss to Coyotes; Doan hits two goals for Phoenix". CBS Sports. 2008-10-30. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
10. "Coyotes get Wolski for Mueller, Porter". NHL. 2010-03-03. Retrieved 2010-03-09.
11. Dater, Adrian (2010-03-11). "Porter to make Avs debut". Denver Post. Retrieved 2010-03-11.
12. Frei, Terry (2010-03-11). "Avs' Porter preferred Colorado despite growing up in Red Wings territory". Denver Post. Retrieved 2010-03-13.
13. "Stempniak's goals lead Phoenix playoff celebration". Yahoo! Sports. 2010-03-28. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
14. "Avalanche agree to terms with Dupuis, Macias and Porter". Colorado Avalanche. 2010-06-17. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
15. "Kevin Porter suspended four games for kneeing David Booth". NHL SBNation. 2011-12-09. Retrieved 2011-12-09.
16. "Buffalo Sabres sign center Kevin Porter". Democrat and Chronicle. 2012-07-05. Retrieved 2012-07-05.
17. "Amerks turn to Veteran Porter for leadership". Rochester Americans. 2012-10-17. Retrieved 2012-10-17.
18. "Wings add Michigan native Porter". NHL. 2014-07-01. Retrieved 2014-07-01.
19. "Penguins sign forward Kevin Porter". National Hockey League. 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2015-07-01.
20. "Team USA Roster". IIHF. 2003-05-06. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
21. "Russia 3, USA 2 Game Summary" (PDF). IIHF. 2004-04-18. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
22. "Czech Republic 3, USA 2 (OT)". IIHF. 2005-01-05. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
23. "Bronze loss wasn't a bust for players' careers". ESPN. 2005-01-06. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
24. "Coyotes prospect captures silver medal". Phoenix Coyotes. 2006-01-06. Retrieved 2010-09-08.
25. "All-CCHA Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved 2013-07-27.
26. "2012–13 CCHA Media Guide". ISSUU.com. Retrieved 2014-04-23.
27. "Michigan's Kevin Porter named CCHA player of the Year". Central Collegiate Hockey Association. 2008-03-20. Retrieved 2010-09-08.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Hockey-Reference.com, or The Internet Hockey Database