Kevin Cheveldayoff

Kevin Cheveldayoff (born February 4, 1970) is a Canadian ice hockey executive and former player who is currently the general manager of the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League.

Kevin Cheveldayoff
Born (1970-02-04) February 4, 1970
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 202 lb (92 kg; 14 st 6 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Right
Played for Springfield Indians
Capital District Islanders
Salt Lake Golden Eagles
NHL Draft 16th overall, 1988
New York Islanders
Playing career 1989–1994

Playing career

Cheveldayoff played his junior hockey with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League. He was drafted in the first round, 16th overall, by the New York Islanders in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. He played five seasons in the minor leagues, most notably with the Capital District Islanders of the American Hockey League, having had his career cut short by a knee injury. He never played a game in the NHL.

Front office

Minor leagues
The Chicago Wolves banner honoring Cheveldayoff

After his playing career, Cheveldayoff joined the Denver Grizzlies of the International Hockey League for three seasons as an assistant to head coach Butch Goring. In his first two seasons with the Grizzlies (1994-95 in Denver; 1995-96 in Utah), the team won the Turner Cup as IHL champions.

Cheveldayoff left the Grizzlies in 1997 to become the general manager of the Chicago Wolves, also of the IHL. The Wolves won two Turner Cups under Cheveldayoff. After the demise of the IHL in 2001, the Wolves were absorbed into the American Hockey League and, in their first season, won the Calder Cup as AHL champions. They won a second AHL championship in 2007-08.

National Hockey League

The Chicago Blackhawks hired Cheveldayoff as their assistant general manager for the 2009-2010 season, working under general manager Stan Bowman. In his first season with the Hawks, the team won the Stanley Cup, defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in six games. Cheveldayoff spent two seasons with the Hawks.

On June 8, 2011, Cheveldayoff was unveiled as the new general manager of the new Winnipeg Jets, replacing Rick Dudley. Dudley and most of the Atlanta Thrashers staff were let go after the team was purchased by True North Sports & Entertainment and relocated to Winnipeg. Longtime Manitoba Moose general manager Craig Heisinger, a friend of Cheveldayoff's from their days with the Wheat Kings, was named as his assistant. In addition, Cheveldayoff is also an executive vice-president with True North.[1]

On October 5, 2014, Cheveldayoff traded Eric Tangradi to the Montreal Canadiens in return for Peter Budaj and Patrick Holland. This marked the first NHL "player for player" trade Cheveldayoff had made in his (at the time) 3+ years as Jets' general manager.[2]

On May 16, 2018, Cheveldayoff was named a finalist for the NHL General Manager of the Year Award after he guided the Jets to their best regular season record and to the Western Conference Finals for the first time ever.[3]

On February 25, 2019, Cheveldayoff was named the TSN TradeCentre GM of the Day, for his transactions on the 2019 NHL Trade Deadline.

Personal

Cheveldayoff and his wife Janet have two children.[4] Cheveldayoff is the younger brother of Saskatchewan politician Ken Cheveldayoff, currently serving in the Saskatchewan Party government.[5]

References
  1. Buteau, Michael (June 8, 2011). "Kevin Cheveldayoff Chosen General Manager of NHL's Relocated Winnipeg Team". Bloomberg. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  2. Peters, Chris (October 5, 2014). "Jets acquire G Peter Budaj in three-player trade with Canadiens". cbssports.com. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  3. "NHL General Manager of Year finalists unveiled". NHL.com. May 16, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  4. "Kevin Cheveldayoff - Executive Vice President and General Managers". Winnipeg Jets. Retrieved 10 July 2014.
  5. Mills, Sarah (January 23, 2018). "Sask. Party leadership candidate profile: Ken Cheveldayoff". ckom.com. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Dean Chynoweth		 New York Islanders first round draft pick
1988		 Succeeded by
Dave Chyzowski
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Rick Dudley
(Atlanta Thrashers)		 General Manager of the Winnipeg Jets
2011–present		 Incumbent
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