Keith Ballard

Infobox Ice Hockey Player


image_size =
team = Florida Panthers
former_teams = Phoenix Coyotes
league = NHL
position = Defense
shoots = Left
height_ft = 5
height_in = 11
weight_lb = 200
nationality = United States
birth_date = Birth date and age|1982|11|26|mf=y
birth_place = Baudette, MN, U.S.
career_start = 2004
draft = 11th overall
draft_year = 2002
draft_team = Buffalo Sabres

Keith Ballard (born November 26, 1982, in Baudette, Minnesota) is a professional ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for the Florida Panthers of the NHL.

College career

Ballard, wearing #13, played three seasons at University of Minnesota. He helped lead the Golden Gophers to back to back National Championships in 2002 and 2003.

Playing career

Ballard was drafted in the 1st round, 11th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Ballard was traded by Buffalo to the Colorado Avalanche in 2003 for Steven Reinprecht, who was in turn traded (along with defenseman Rhett Warrener) to the Calgary Flames for center Chris Drury and forward Steve Bégin.

In 2005–06, he led all NHL defenseman in shorthanded goals with 3.

In 2008, he was traded to the Florida Panthers, along with Nick Boynton, for forward Olli Jokinen.

Career statistics

International play

Played for the United States in:

*2008 World Championships

International statistics

External links

*hockeydb|61770