Stephen K. Weeks (born June 30, 1958 in Scarborough, Ontario) is a retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender who played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League.
Playing career
New York Rangers (1980-84)
The New York Rangers drafted Weeks in the 11th round, 176th overall in the 1978 NHL Entry Draft out of Northern Michigan University. Weeks turned pro in 1980, and spent the majority of the 1980-81 season with the New Haven Nighthawks of the AHL, where he posted a 14-17-3 record with a 4.13 GAA and a shutout in 36 games with the team. Weeks did make his NHL debut in the 1980-81, appearing in one game, on April 2, 1981, as Weeks held the powerful New York Islanders to only two goals, however, lost the game 2-1. Weeks also appeared in a playoff game with the Rangers, allowing no goals in 14 minutes of ice time.
In 1981-82, under new head coach Herb Brooks, Weeks became the Rangers starting goaltender, leading New York with a 23-16-9 record with a 3.77 GAA and a shutout in 49 games, leading the club into the playoffs. Weeks struggled in the post-season, and lost his job to Eddie Mio, as the Rangers lost to their rivals, the New York Islanders, in the Patrick Division finals.
Weeks saw his playing time decrease in the 1982-83 season, appearing in just 18 games for the Rangers, going 9-5-3 with a 3.91 GAA. Weeks also saw some action with the Tulsa Oilers of the CHL, earning a record of 8-10-0 in 19 games with a 3.23 GAA.
Weeks once again saw some time with Tulsa in 1983-84, appearing in three games, going 3-0-0 with a 2.33 GAA in three games. He spent the majority of the season as the Rangers back-up goaltender, playing behind Glen Hanlon. In 26 games with New York, Weeks had a 10-11-2 record with a 3.97 GAA and a save percentage of .865.
On September 5, 1984, the Rangers traded Weeks to the Hartford Whalers for future considerations, which turned into the Whalers third round draft pick in the 1986 NHL Entry Draft.
Hartford Whalers (1984-88)
Weeks joined the Whalers for the 1984-85 season as the backup goaltender, first to Greg Millen at the start of the season, then to Mike Liut when the Whalers acquired him late in the year. In 23 games with Hartford, Weeks posted a 9-12-2 record with a 3.91 GAA and a .870 save percentage. Weeks recorded two shutouts to lead the Whalers. 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.
Weeks backed up Liut in 1985-86, going 13-13-0 with a 3.85 GAA and a .863 save percentage in 27 games with the Whalers. Weeks managed in appear in four playoff games with the team, going 1-2 with a 2.84 GAA in three games, as the Whalers lost to the Montreal Canadiens in the Adams Division finals.
In 1986-87, Weeks appeared in 25 games, going 12-8-2 with a 3.42 GAA and .873 save percentage. He also saw some action in the playoffs, appearing in one game, going 0-0 with a 1.67 GAA in 36 minutes of playing time.
Weeks began the 1987-88 season with the Whalers, going 6-7-2 in 18 games, with a 3.59 GAA and .858 save percentage.
On March 8, 1988, the Whalers traded Weeks to the Vancouver Canucks for Richard Brodeur.
Vancouver Canucks (1988-91)
Weeks saw his playing time increase when he joined the Canucks in March 1988, appearing in nine games for Vancouver, posting a 4-3-2 record and a 3.38 GAA in nine games.
In 1988-89, Weeks appeared in 35 games, his highest total since 1981-82 when he was with the New York Rangers, earning a record of 11-19-5 with a 2.98 GAA and .893 save percentage with the Canucks, splitting his playing time with Kirk McLean. The Canucks qualified for the post-season, and in three playoff games against the Calgary Flames, Weeks earned a 1-1 record with a 3.43 GAA and .899 save percentage as the Canucks lost in seven games.
Weeks saw his playing time diminish in 1989-90, playing 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. He spent the rest of the season with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL, 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.
On March 5, 1991, the Canucks traded Weeks to the Buffalo Sabres for future considerations. After the trade, he remained with the Milwaukee Admirals, and was granted free agency after the season.
New York Islanders (1991-92)
Weeks signed with the New York 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 very solid 9-4-2 record with a 3.60 GAA and a .890 save percentage.
On February 18, 1992, the Islanders traded Weeks to the Los Angeles Kings for the Kings seventh round draft pick in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft.
Los Angeles Kings (1992)
Weeks finished the 1991-92 with the Kings, playing in seven games with the Kings, going 1-3-0 with a 4.05 GAA and a .875 save percentage.
After the season, Weeks became a free agent, and on June 16, 1992, he signed with the Washington Capitals. Less than two months later, on August 13, 1992, the Capitals traded Weeks to the Ottawa Senators for future considerations.
Ottawa Senators (1992-1993)
Weeks joined the expansion team Ottawa Senators in 1992-93. In seven games with Ottawa, Weeks had a 0-5-0 record with a 7.23 GAA and a .792 save percentage. His struggles continued when he played in the minors, as in six games with the New Haven Senators of the AHL, Weeks went 0-6-0 with a 5.94 GAA.
On February 20, 1993, Weeks announced his retirement from the NHL.
International career
1985 World championships
Weeks represented Canada at the 1985 World Ice Hockey Championships held in Prague Czechoslovakia. In five games, Weeks had a 3-1-1 record with a 2.04 GAA, helping the Canadians capture the silver medal.
Coaching career
Hartford Whalers/Carolina Hurricanes (1993-2001)
Weeks became the Whalers goaltending consultant following his retirement on February 20, 1993. Weeks remained in the organization until 2001, mostly as a goaltending coach, however, he was an assistant coach for the club in 1996-97.
Atlanta Thrashers (2001-10)
Weeks was an assistant coach with the Atlanta Thrashers from 2001-2010. He was originally hired by the Thrashers on June 26, 2001, as an assistant to head coach Curt Fraser. During his tenure with the club, the Thrashers earned their first ever playoff berth in 2007.
Chicago Blackhawks (2013-14)
Weeks became the Blackhawks goaltending coach on August 12, 2013.
Personal life
Weeks currently has three children living in Florida. He has two brothers and one sister, all living in Canada.
Awards and honours
Award | Year | |
---|---|---|
All-CCHA Second Team | 1978-79 | |
All-CCHA First Team | 1979-80 | |
All-NCAA All-Tournament Team | 1980 |