Kyle Calder (born on January 5, 1979 in Mannville,
Alberta) is a is a Canadian professional ice hockey
player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Kings
of the NHL.
Calder began his career by playing junior hockey for
the Regina Pats of the WHL. After scoring over fifty
points in his sophomore season, he was drafted in
the fifth round of the 1997 draft by the Chicago
Blackhawks. After his senior season where he scored
over eighty points between two teams, he was
rewarded with his first professional contract.
Calder (19) gets ready for a faceoff against the New
York Rangers on January 4, 2007.Calder began his
career by playing for the Cleveland Lumberjacks, the
Blackhawks' IHL affiliate. He also came up to play
in the NHL for the first time that season, playing
in eight games. During that time, he also got his
first NHL goal.
The following year, after the collapse of the IHL,
Calder began and ended his season with the Norfolk
Admirals, their new AHL affiliate. For a good
portion of the season he played for the Blackhawks,
appearing in over forty games.
Starting in the 2001-02 NHL season, Calder stayed in
the NHL. During the lockout, he spent a brief time
in Sweden. He came back to the NHL stronger than
ever that season. He led the Blackhawks in goals,
assists, and points.
On August 2, 2006, Calder was awarded a $2.9 million
dollar contract for the 2006-07 season by an
arbitrator. The Blackhawks decided to accept it, and
then on August 4, 2006, Calder was traded to the
Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Michal Handzus.
At the trade deadline, the Flyers sent him back to
Chicago for a third-round draft pick and Lasse
Kukkonen. Chicago immediately sent him to the
Detroit Red Wings for Jason Williams. Calder scored
his first goal as a Red Wing during his first shift.
He signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles
Kings on July 2, 2007.
