Keith Patrick Kinkaid Bio
Keith Patrick Kinkaid is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Deer Lake Red Wings of the Central West Senior Hockey League (CWSHL). Originally undrafted by teams in the National Hockey League (NHL), he has built a long professional career across multiple organizations. Over the years, Kinkaid has suited up for the New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Boston Bruins, and Colorado Avalanche. Standing 191 centimeters tall and weighing 86 kilograms, he has spent more than a decade in professional hockey since 2011.
Early Life and Background
Keith Patrick Kinkaid was born on July 4, 1989, in Farmingville, New York, USA. He grew up on Long Island and developed an early passion for the game of hockey, supporting the New York Islanders throughout his childhood. That local connection to the sport helped shape his path toward a goaltending career.
Kinkaid graduated from Sachem High School East in 2007, where he played junior hockey at the local level. After high school, he spent the 2008–09 season with the St. Louis Bandits of the North American Hockey League (NAHL). During that campaign, he led all NAHL goaltenders in wins, goals-against average, save percentage, and shutouts. His dominant year earned him MVP and Goaltender of the Year honors, and he was nominated for the Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award.
In February 2009, Kinkaid committed to play NCAA Division I hockey at Union College, setting the stage for his next chapter. His time in junior hockey established him as a top college prospect despite being passed over in the NHL Draft.
Path to Hockey
Kinkaid played for Union College of ECAC Hockey from 2009 to 2011. In his freshman season, he was named to the ECAC All-Rookie Team and the ECAC Third Team, signaling his arrival as a college goaltender. His play quickly drew the attention of NHL scouts and executives.
After an outstanding sophomore season in which he posted a 25–10–3 record and led the Dutchmen to their first NCAA tournament appearance, Kinkaid was named an AHCA East First-Team All-American. He was also named to the All-ECAC Hockey First Team and received the Ken Dryden Award as the best goaltender in the ECAC. These honors cemented his status as one of the top amateur goaltenders in the country.
Following his sophomore season, Kinkaid signed an entry-level contract with the New Jersey Devils in April 2011. That deal launched his professional career and gave him a clear route into the NHL despite going undrafted.
Keith Patrick Kinkaid Career
Early Career (2011–2013)
Kinkaid was assigned to the Devils’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Albany Devils, for the 2011–12 season. He made his professional debut on October 9, 2011, in a 4–2 loss to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. A few days later, on October 14, he earned his first professional win in a 3–2 shootout over the Connecticut Whale. During that October, he was briefly recalled to the NHL as a backup for Johan Hedberg but did not appear in any games before being returned to Albany.
In the final stages of the 2012–13 season, Kinkaid was recalled from Albany and made his NHL debut in a relief role with New Jersey on March 5, 2013, against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Prudential Center. That appearance marked the first step in his top-flight career.
New Jersey Devils Breakthrough (2013–2019)
After spending the 2013–14 season with the Albany Devils, Kinkaid was recalled by New Jersey and gradually earned a larger role with the parent club. On June 29, 2017, he re-signed with the Devils, betting on his continued development. The following season proved to be his defining moment in New Jersey.
During the 2017–18 season, starter Cory Schneider suffered a groin injury on January 23, and Kinkaid stepped into the starting role. He posted a 2.77 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage over that stretch. On April 5, 2018, Kinkaid made 30 saves to help the Devils beat the Toronto Maple Leafs and clinch their first playoff spot since 2012. His strong run cemented his reputation as a reliable NHL goaltender.
Columbus, Montreal, and New York Rangers Era (2019–2021)
On February 25, 2019, Kinkaid was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a 2022 fifth-round draft pick. Acquired as insurance behind Sergei Bobrovsky and Joonas Korpisalo, he remained on the roster as the third goaltender and did not appear in a game for Columbus.
As a free agent, Kinkaid signed a one-year, $1.75 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens on July 1, 2019. After playing six games for the Canadiens and posting an .875 save percentage, he was placed on waivers on December 2. He was then assigned to the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket, and later loaned to the Charlotte Checkers in February 2020.
Kinkaid left the Canadiens organization after one season and signed a two-year, $1.65 million contract with the New York Rangers on October 9, 2020. He made his Rangers debut on March 7, 2021, in a 5–1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche Era (2022–2023)
On July 13, 2022, Kinkaid signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Boston Bruins. He was assigned to the AHL’s Providence Bruins before being recalled on November 2, 2022, following a lower-body injury to Jeremy Swayman. He made his Bruins debut on November 12, 2022, making 30 saves in a 3–1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. He earned 8 wins in 20 appearances with Providence that season.
On February 25, 2023, Kinkaid was traded by the Bruins to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for Shane Bowers. He was assigned to AHL affiliate the Colorado Eagles before being recalled to appear in relief of Alexander Georgiev in a 7–3 loss to the Dallas Stars on March 4, 2023. He later returned to the Eagles for seven regular-season games and finished the year on the Avalanche playoff roster.
Return to New Jersey and Recent Seasons (2023–2025)
After leaving the Avalanche, Kinkaid signed a one-year contract with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves on July 18, 2023. Before playing for Chicago, he signed a one-year, two-way contract to return to the New Jersey Devils on September 13, 2023. On October 18, he was assigned to the Chicago Wolves after clearing waivers.
Kinkaid signed a professional tryout contract with the New York Islanders before the 2024 training camp, the team he grew up supporting. The Islanders released him on October 2, and he promptly signed a one-year contract with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. He spent the 2024–25 season in the ECHL with the Savannah Ghost Pirates, the Checkers’ affiliate, before joining the Deer Lake Red Wings of the CWSHL.
Playing Style and Strengths
Kinkaid is a tall, technically sound goaltender known for his calmness in high-pressure situations. He relies on positioning and rebound control rather than flashy movement, which helped him thrive during the Devils’ 2017–18 playoff push. His ability to handle a heavy workload has made him a dependable backup and occasional starter throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Kinkaid’s most memorable moment came on April 5, 2018, when his 30-save performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs clinched the New Jersey Devils’ first playoff berth since 2012. He also reached the NHL after going undrafted, an unusual path for a long-career goaltender. His college accolades, including the Ken Dryden Award, highlight his early pedigree.
Keith Patrick Kinkaid Career Wins
Across the AHL, NHL, and ECHL, Keith Patrick Kinkaid has compiled wins at multiple levels of professional hockey. His strongest run came during the 2017–18 NHL season with the New Jersey Devils, where he carried the starting role for several months. He has also posted winning seasons in junior and college hockey, including a 25-win sophomore year at Union College.
NCAA and Junior Highlights
At Union College, Kinkaid posted a 25–10–3 record in his sophomore season and led the Dutchmen to their first NCAA tournament appearance. With the St. Louis Bandits of the NAHL, he led all league goaltenders in wins during the 2008–09 season. Those numbers established him as a top goaltending prospect before turning pro.
Professional Wins and Performances
Kinkaid’s first professional win came on October 14, 2011, in a 3–2 shootout over the Connecticut Whale. He earned a notable NHL win with the Devils against the Toronto Maple Leafs in April 2018 and added a Boston Bruins victory over the Buffalo Sabres in November 2022. He also collected 8 wins with the Providence Bruins during the 2022–23 AHL season.
Keith Patrick Kinkaid Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Keith Patrick Kinkaid’s family background and any hockey lineage is not clearly supported by available sources. He grew up in Farmingville, New York, and developed his love for the game while supporting the New York Islanders as a young fan.
Personal Life
Details about Keith Patrick Kinkaid’s spouse, marital status, and children are not publicly confirmed in available sources. He was born and raised in Farmingville, New York, and continues his professional career while based in North American hockey markets.
2025 Season Performance
For the 2025 season, Keith Patrick Kinkaid joined the Deer Lake Red Wings of the Central West Senior Hockey League after spending the 2024–25 campaign in the ECHL with the Savannah Ghost Pirates. The move to a senior league represents a return to a competitive, community-driven level of the sport. His experience at the AHL and NHL levels gives him a strong foundation for guiding a developing team.
Through the early part of the 2025 calendar, Kinkaid has been working to regain top form after a turbulent stretch of one-year contracts and roster moves. The senior league schedule allows him consistent starts, which should help him sharpen his game. His track record suggests he can be a stabilizing presence in net for the Red Wings.
Looking ahead, Kinkaid’s 2025 storyline centers on consistency and mentoring younger goaltenders in the CWSHL. While a return to the AHL or NHL remains a long shot, his willingness to keep playing at a high level speaks to his durability. The season offers a chance to close out his career on his own terms while contributing to a smaller-market program.