Steve Weeks

Stephen K. Weeks (born June 30, 1958) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender. Weeks played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the New York Rangers, Hartford Whalers, Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, and Ottawa Senators. Weeks was drafted by the Rangers in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft and made his NHL debut with the Rangers in 1981. Internationally, he played for the Canadian national team at the 1985 World Championships, winning a silver medal.

Playing career Weeks was born in Scarborough, Ontario. As a youth, he played in the 1971 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Toronto. Weeks played collegiate hockey for Northern Michigan University. While playing for the Northern Michigan Wildcats, Weeks earned the 1978 team's most improved player award and was named the team's most valuable player in 1980. In 1980, Weeks won the CCHA Player of the Year Award and was a member of the CCHA All Academic Team.

New York Rangers Weeks was selected by the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 11th round, 176th overall, in the 1978 NHL entry draft. Weeks turned pro in 1980, and spent the majority of the 1980–81 season with the New Haven Nighthawks of the American Hockey League (AHL), where he posted a 14 wins, 17 losses and 3 ties (14–17–3) record with a 4.13 goals against average (GAA) and a shutout in 36 games with the team. Weeks was recalled by New York three weeks before made his NHL debut on April 2, 1981. He held the powerful New York Islanders to only two goals in a 2–1 loss. Weeks also appeared in a playoff game with the Rangers, allowing no goals in 14 minutes of ice time against the Los Angeles Kings.

In 1981–82, under new head coach Herb Brooks, Weeks started the season splitting time in the Rangers net with John Davidson and Eddie Mio. Weeks recorded his first NHL shutout on January 13, 1982, in a 2–0 win over the Minnesota North Stars. He ended up leading New York with a 23–16–9 record with a 3.77 GAA and a shutout in 49 games, and helping the club make the 1982 Stanley Cup playoffs. Weeks saw no action in the first round against the Philadelphia Flyers, but Mio was injured in the first game versus the Islanders and Weeks came in as his substitute and finished the game, earning his first playoff win.

Hartford Whalers Weeks was one of three goaltenders acquired by general manager Emile Francis as part of his rebuilding plan for the Whalers. He became the Whalers' backup goaltender for the 1984–85 season, first to Greg Millen, then to Mike Liut, after Millen and Liut were traded for each other in March 1985. The arrival of the Liut/Weeks tandem marked the backbone of the "Whalermania" era in Hartford. In 23 games, Weeks led the Whalers with two shutouts, and overall posted a 9–12–2 record with a 3.91 GAA and a .870 save percentage. Weeks also saw some time with the Binghamton Whalers of the AHL, earning a 5–0–0 record with a 2.57 GAA in five games with the team.

In 1989–90, Weeks backed up McLean, playing poorly in only 21 games, and struggled to a 4–11–4 record with a 4.15 GAA, as Vancouver missed the playoffs. In 1990–91, Weeks appeared in only one game with Vancouver, going 0–1–0 with a 6.10 GAA, being replaced as backup by Troy Gamble. He spent the rest of the season with Vancouver's senior affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals of the International Hockey League, as he recorded a 16–19–0 record in 37 games with a 3.78 GAA. In three playoff games with Milwaukee, Weeks had a 1–2 record and a 3.71 GAA. After the trade, he remained with the Milwaukee Admirals,

Final seasons Weeks was brought to the New York Islanders training camp in September 1991 after goaltender Mark Fitzpatrick suffered a relapse is his fight with a blood disorder. He signed with the Islanders on September 16, 1991, and became the Islanders back-up goaltender for the 1991–92 season. In 23 games with the Islanders, Weeks put together a solid 9–4–2 record with a 3.60 GAA and a .890 save percentage. Weeks finished the 1991–92 season with the Kings as a backup to Kelly Hrudey,

In seven games with Ottawa in 1992–93, Weeks had a 0–5–0 record with a 7.23 GAA and a .792 save percentage. In five games, Weeks had a 3–1–1 record with a 2.04 GAA,

Coaching career

Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes Weeks became the Whalers goaltending consultant following his retirement in 1993. Weeks remained in the organization until 2001, mostly as a goaltending coach and scout. However, he was an assistant coach for the Whalers in their final season in 1996–97.

Atlanta Thrashers Weeks was an assistant coach with the Atlanta Thrashers from 2001 to 2010. He was originally hired by the Thrashers on June 26, 2001, as an assistant to head coach Curt Fraser. After Fraser was let go on December 29, 2002, Weeks stayed on as an assistant to interim coach Don Waddell. He remained with the club as an assistant with head coaches Bob Hartley, who was hired in January 2003 and let go in October 2007, Waddell again as an interim coach for the rest of the 2007–08 season and John Anderson beginning in 2008. Weeks was let go when Anderson was fired on April 14, 2010.

Chicago Blackhawks Weeks became the Chicago Blackhawks goaltending coach on August 12, 2013, replacing Stéphane Waite who departed for the Montreal Canadiens. His was fired by the Blackhawks on June 27, 2014. He was replaced by Jimmy Waite, a former goaltender of the Blackhawks who returned to the club.

Personal life Weeks was inducted in the Northern Michigan University's hall of fame in 1990. All-CCHA First Team 1979–80