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Blackhawks lock up Versteeg |
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Written by Dale Woodard
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Wednesday, 08 July 2009 |
Clearly, the Chicago Blackhawks liked what they saw from Kris Versteeg last season.
On Wednesday, the NHL club made it clear they would like to see more of the forward from Lethbridge.
After a stellar rookie campaign with Chicago in 2008-2009, the Blackhawks announced on Wednesday they had inked Versteeg to a three-year contract worth a reported $9 million.
“It’s a relief. I’m so happy and so blessed,” said Versteeg, who was a fifth-round pick of the Boston Bruins in the 2004 NHL draft before getting traded to the ’Hawks a little over two years ago.” I’ve worked hard for this my whole life and now to finally get something in return from the game I’ve put so much into is special.”
Judging by his rookie campaign in Chicago, the Blackhawks are feeling equally blessed to have the five-foot-10, 180-pound forward locked up for the next three years.
In 78 games with the Blackhawks, Versteeg tallied 22 goals and 53 points.
His 31 assists were tops among NHL rookies last season.
That output caught more than just the attention of the Blackhawks.
It also caught the attention of the entire league as Versteeg was named a candidate for the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s Rookie of the Year alongside Anaheim Duck forward Bobby Ryan and Columbus Blue Jackets netminder Steve Mason.
That honour ultimately went to Mason, but the Blackhawks made sure Versteeg stayed in the fold with the three-year deal.
Now, with the ink drying on his new contract, Versteeg is intent to keep bringing the same game to the ice that he did in his rookie year, big bucks and big contracts aside.
“I guess expectations are always going to be heightened every year you go on in the NHL,” said Versteeg. “But I don't look at it like that one bit. I don’t care much for pressure. I try to always play my game and do what's best to help the team. If there’s added pressure, that’s fine. I don’t really think of it that way.”
Versteeg will return to a Blackhawks team that jumped right into the July 1 free agency pool, reeling in the likes of Marian Hossa and former Lethbridge Hurricane Tomas Kopecky from the Detroit Red Wings, while losing the likes of Martin Havlat.
“You lose Havlat, arguably one of the best players in the league and you have to fill that hole somehow,” said Versteeg. “To get out there and get Hossa was a big deal for us. Look at the team you can now put on the ice in Chicago. It’s a pretty good team. Everybody gets along so well in the room and there’s a core of guys that have been there for a couple of years now. We all like being around each other. Any chance you can make the team better I think every guy on the team is all for it.”
However, those good vibes around the Blackhawks camp were evident long before the free agent feeding frenzy.
“You felt it through the playoffs, the chemistry of the team,” said Versteeg. “Now hopefully we can carry into next season and get off on the foot we left off on in the playoffs. We have a confident young group. Every player is confident in their ability and are confident in the guy beside them. You can’t use that word enough.”
While he’s happy to call the Windy City his home address during the winter months, Versteeg’s southern Alberta roots came calling once the season was over.
He didn’t hesitate for a second to return to Lethbridge.
“I love it here,” said Versteeg. “I have all my friends and family (here). It’s great to have summer at home. I have everything I need, especially (when) I have great friends and family, so there’s no reason to leave here.”
He’ll stay local in the summer and he’ll train local as well as Versteeg works out with Trevor Hardy, the same trainer he’s worked with since he was 14.
“I’m (working) with Trevor all summer,” said Versteeg. “I couldn’t thank him enough for what he’s done for me. He’s gotten me to the next level.”
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