Nick Kuiper

Nick Kuiper (born 12 February 1982) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman.

Playing career Kuiper began his professional career in 2004 after signing for the Chicago Blackhawks from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Kuiper was assigned to the Blackhawks affiliate the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League where he spent two seasons.

In 2006–07, Kuiper played for five different teams, beginning the season in the AHL for the Manitoba Moose and played just two games, after that he moved to the Portland Pirates in the same league and played just seven games. He then moved to the ECHL for the Augusta Lynx for 33 games, then moved back to the AHL with the Springfield Falcons for 18 games and then went back to the ECHL to play for the Johnstown Chiefs for their brief playoff run.

In 2007–08 Kuiper played for European teams, Ässät of the Finnish SM-liiga and Luleå HF of the Swedish SEL. In 2008–09 Kuiper signed with Austrian team Graz 99ers of the Austrian Hockey League. After scoring 6 goals in 53 games Kuiper signed a one-year contract extension on 15 July 2009.

Kuiper has signed for the Belfast Giants of the Elite Ice Hockey League in the United Kingdom for the 2011–12 season.

Kuiper signed a one-year contract with the Friesland Flyers of the Eredivisie on 29 July 2013.

Awards 2001–02: HE All-Tournament Team 2011-12: EIHL Champion (Belfast Giants)

Career statistics Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 2000–01 University of Massachusetts Amherst HE 13 0 1 1 2 — — — — — 2001–02 U. of Mass-Amherst HE 32 2 9 11 10 — — — — — 2002–03 U. of Mass-Amherst HE 36 3 3 6 34 — — — — — 2003–04 U. of Mass-Amherst HE 37 5 5 10 72 — — — — — 2004–05 Norfolk Admirals AHL 73 3 5 8 109 5 0 0 0 2 2005–06 Norfolk Admirals AHL 70 2 7 9 104 1 0 0 0 0 2006–07 Manitoba Moose AHL 2 0 0 0 2 — — — — — 2006–07 Portland Pirates AHL 7 0 0 0 6 — — — — — 2006–07 Augusta Lynx ECHL 33 1 5 6 21 — — — — — 2006–07 Springfield Falcons AHL 18 0 7 7 10 — — — — — 2006–07 Johnstown Chiefs ECHL — — — — — 2 0 0 0 0 2007–08 Ässät SM-l 45 3 7 10 73 — — — — — 2007–08 Luleå HF SEL 12 0 1 1 10 — — — — — 2008–09 Graz 99ers EBEL 53 6 6 12 95 7 0 2 2 8 2009–10 Graz 99ers EBEL 54 6 11 17 36 6 1 0 1 6 AHL totals 170 5 19 24 231 6 0 0 0 2