Sheldon Kennedy
Encyclopedia
Sheldon Kennedy is a former professional ice hockey
player. He played for the Detroit Red Wings
, Boston Bruins
and Calgary Flames
in the National Hockey League
(NHL). Kennedy was drafted by the Red Wings in the fourth round of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft
while playing with the Swift Current Broncos
of the Western Hockey League
(WHL). In the WHL, Kennedy helped the Broncos capture the 1989 Memorial Cup
, and was named to the tournament all-star team. Kennedy represented Canada internationally at the World Junior Championships
in 1988 and 1989. He helped Canada win a gold medal at the 1988 tournament.
Kennedy is known for coming forward as a victim of sexual abuse
at the hands of his coach, Graham James. In 1998, Kennedy roller bladed
across Canada to raise awareness and funds for sexual abuse victims. Currently, Kennedy serves as a spokesperson for violence and abuse prevention programs with the Canadian Red Cross
.
of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League
(MJHL) in 1985. After being noticed by Graham James at a hockey camp, Kennedy joined the Swift Current Broncos
of the Western Hockey League
(WHL) for the 1986–87 season
. Kennedy spent his entire WHL career with the Broncos, helping the team capture the 1989 Memorial Cup
. For his play during the tournament, Kennedy was named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team. He was also named to the WHL's Eastern Conference Second All-Star Team.
in the fourth round (80th overall) of the 1988 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft
. His first professional season was split between the Red Wings in the NHL and their minor league affiliate Adirondack Red Wings
of the American Hockey League
(AHL). At the NHL level, Kennedy scored two goals and added seven assists in 20 games. Kennedy spent the next four seasons bouncing between the AHL and NHL within the Red Wings organization. The Winnipeg Jets acquired Kennedy from the Red Wings after the 1993–94 season
. The NHL lockout meant that Kennedy did not actually play for the Jets before being picked up on waivers by the Calgary Flames
. Kennedy spent two seasons in Calgary, then the Flames decided not to renew his contract in 1996, shortly after his sexual abuse revelation. He signed as a free agent with the Boston Bruins
for the 1996–97 season but also spent time with the Providence Bruins
, Boston's AHL affiliate. The 1996–97 season was Kennedy's last campaign in the NHL
but he later resurfaced in the 1998–99 season with the Manitoba Moose
of the now-defunct International Hockey League. Kennedy also played for EV Landshut
of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga in Germany
during the 1998–99 season.
in 1999. Jonathan Scarfe
starred as Kennedy. In 2006 he released his autobiography, Why I Didn't Say Anything - The Sheldon Kennedy Story. In the book he revealed that nightmares of James still continue to plague him. He also wrote frankly about his battles with cocaine
addiction.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player. He played for the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
, Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
and Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). Kennedy was drafted by the Red Wings in the fourth round of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft
1988 NHL Entry Draft
The 1988 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Forum in Montreal, Quebec.-Selections by round:Below are listed the selections in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft...
while playing with the Swift Current Broncos
Swift Current Broncos
The Swift Current Broncos are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. Founded during 1967 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the Broncos played seven seasons before relocating to Lethbridge from 1974 to 1986 as the Lethbridge Broncos...
of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
(WHL). In the WHL, Kennedy helped the Broncos capture the 1989 Memorial Cup
1989 Memorial Cup
The 1989 Memorial Cup occurred May 6-13 at the brand new Saskatchewan Place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Participating teams were the Western Hockey League champion Swift Current Broncos, the WHL hosts, the Saskatoon Blades, as well as the winners of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and...
, and was named to the tournament all-star team. Kennedy represented Canada internationally at the World Junior Championships
World Junior Ice Hockey Championships
The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world...
in 1988 and 1989. He helped Canada win a gold medal at the 1988 tournament.
Kennedy is known for coming forward as a victim of sexual abuse
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester...
at the hands of his coach, Graham James. In 1998, Kennedy roller bladed
Inline skating
Inline skating is a recreational sport practiced widely internationally. Inline skates typically have 2 to 5 polyurethane wheels, arranged in a single line. The in-line design allows for greater speed than roller skates and better maneuverability...
across Canada to raise awareness and funds for sexual abuse victims. Currently, Kennedy serves as a spokesperson for violence and abuse prevention programs with the Canadian Red Cross
Canadian Red Cross
The Canadian Red Cross Society is a Canadian humanitarian charitable organization and one of 186 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies....
.
Junior
Kennedy started playing junior hockey with the Winnipeg South BluesWinnipeg South Blues
The Winnipeg Blues are a Manitoba Junior Hockey League team playing out of the MTS Iceplex in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. They were formerly known as the Fort Garry Blues, Winnipeg South Blues, and the Winnipeg Monarchs...
of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League
Manitoba Junior Hockey League
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is a Junior 'A' ice hockey league operating in the Canadian province of Manitoba. The MJHL is one of eleven Junior 'A' Hockey Leagues in Canada and is a member of the Canadian Junior Hockey League ....
(MJHL) in 1985. After being noticed by Graham James at a hockey camp, Kennedy joined the Swift Current Broncos
Swift Current Broncos
The Swift Current Broncos are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League. Founded during 1967 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, the Broncos played seven seasons before relocating to Lethbridge from 1974 to 1986 as the Lethbridge Broncos...
of the Western Hockey League
Western Hockey League
The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada...
(WHL) for the 1986–87 season
1986-87 WHL season
The 1986–87 WHL season was the 21st season for the Western Hockey League. Fourteen teams completed a 72 game season. The Medicine Hat Tigers won the President's Cup before going on to also capture the Memorial Cup.-League notes:...
. Kennedy spent his entire WHL career with the Broncos, helping the team capture the 1989 Memorial Cup
1989 Memorial Cup
The 1989 Memorial Cup occurred May 6-13 at the brand new Saskatchewan Place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Participating teams were the Western Hockey League champion Swift Current Broncos, the WHL hosts, the Saskatoon Blades, as well as the winners of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and...
. For his play during the tournament, Kennedy was named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team. He was also named to the WHL's Eastern Conference Second All-Star Team.
Professional
Kennedy was selected by the Detroit Red WingsDetroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
in the fourth round (80th overall) of the 1988 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft
1988 NHL Entry Draft
The 1988 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Forum in Montreal, Quebec.-Selections by round:Below are listed the selections in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft...
. His first professional season was split between the Red Wings in the NHL and their minor league affiliate Adirondack Red Wings
Adirondack Red Wings
The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL). At the NHL level, Kennedy scored two goals and added seven assists in 20 games. Kennedy spent the next four seasons bouncing between the AHL and NHL within the Red Wings organization. The Winnipeg Jets acquired Kennedy from the Red Wings after the 1993–94 season
1993-94 NHL season
-Final:The Final pitted the New York Rangers, seeking to win their first Cup since 1940, versus the Vancouver Canucks, looking for their first-ever Cup win. The series was hard-fought and went the full seven games. The Rangers took a 3–1 series lead, but the Canucks won the next two to force a game...
. The NHL lockout meant that Kennedy did not actually play for the Jets before being picked up on waivers by the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
. Kennedy spent two seasons in Calgary, then the Flames decided not to renew his contract in 1996, shortly after his sexual abuse revelation. He signed as a free agent with the Boston Bruins
Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...
for the 1996–97 season but also spent time with the Providence Bruins
Providence Bruins
The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:...
, Boston's AHL affiliate. The 1996–97 season was Kennedy's last campaign in the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
but he later resurfaced in the 1998–99 season with the Manitoba Moose
Manitoba Moose
The Manitoba Moose were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that played in the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2001 and American Hockey League from 2001 to 2011. The team moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to become the St...
of the now-defunct International Hockey League. Kennedy also played for EV Landshut
Landshut Cannibals
The Landshut Cannibals are a professional ice hockey team based in Landshut, Bavaria. Currently they are members of the 2nd Bundesliga. The team was founded in 1948 as Eislaufverein Landshut , but since 2002 the professional team is organised as “Landshut Cannibals”. The EVL is still responsible...
of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
during the 1998–99 season.
Personal
A television movie about his life and campaign, The Sheldon Kennedy Story, aired on CTVCTV television network
CTV Television Network is a Canadian English language television network and is owned by Bell Media. It is Canada's largest privately-owned network, and has consistently placed as Canada's top-rated network in total viewers and in key demographics since 2002, after several years trailing the rival...
in 1999. Jonathan Scarfe
Jonathan Scarfe
Jonathan Scarfe is a Canadian actor. He is married to actress Suki Kaiser and is the son of actors Alan Scarfe and Sara Botsford....
starred as Kennedy. In 2006 he released his autobiography, Why I Didn't Say Anything - The Sheldon Kennedy Story. In the book he revealed that nightmares of James still continue to plague him. He also wrote frankly about his battles with cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
addiction.
Junior hockey
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| WHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... East Second All-Star Team |
1989 |
| Memorial Cup Memorial Cup The Memorial Cup is a junior ice hockey club championship trophy awarded annually to the Canadian Hockey League champion. It is awarded following a four-team, round robin tournament between a host team and the champions of the CHL's three member leagues: the Ontario Hockey League , Quebec Major... Tournament All-Star Team |
1989 1989 Memorial Cup The 1989 Memorial Cup occurred May 6-13 at the brand new Saskatchewan Place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Participating teams were the Western Hockey League champion Swift Current Broncos, the WHL hosts, the Saskatoon Blades, as well as the winners of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and... |
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1984–85 | Moose Jaw Warriors Moose Jaw Warriors The Moose Jaw Warriors are a major junior ice hockey team of the Western Hockey League which are based out of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The team plays its home games at Mosaic Place. The franchise moved to Moose Jaw from Winnipeg after the 1983–84 season, where they had previously been named the... |
WHL Western Hockey League The Western Hockey League is a major junior ice hockey league based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that constitute the Canadian Hockey League as the highest level of junior hockey in Canada... |
16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 | Moose Jaw Warriors | WHL | 49 | 23 | 41 | 64 | 43 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | ||
| 1987–88 | Moose Jaw Warriors | WHL | 59 | 53 | 64 | 117 | 45 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 17 | 12 | ||
| 1988–89 | Moose Jaw Warriors | WHL | 51 | 58 | 48 | 106 | 92 | 12 | 9 | 15 | 24 | 22 | ||
| 1989–90 1989–90 AHL season The 1989–90 AHL season was the 54th season of the American Hockey League.Fourteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Sherbrooke Canadiens repeated finishing first overall in the regular season... |
Adirondack Red Wings Adirondack Red Wings The Adirondack Red Wings were a minor professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Glens Falls, New York, USA at the Glens Falls Civic Center. The team was affiliated with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
26 | 11 | 15 | 26 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Detroit Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... |
NHL | 20 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 1990–91 AHL season The 1990–91 AHL season was the 55th season of the American Hockey League. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Adirondack Red Wings | AHL | 11 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 1991–92 AHL season The 1991–92 AHL season was the 56th season of the American Hockey League. The league realigns from divisions into three divisions, creating the new Atlantic division. Fifteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Fredericton Canadiens finished first overall in the regular season... |
Adirondack Red Wings | AHL | 46 | 25 | 24 | 49 | 56 | 15 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 12 | ||
| 1991–92 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 27 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 68 | 19 | 11 | 30 | 46 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 1993–94 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 61 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 30 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 1994–95 | Calgary Flames Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the... |
NHL | 30 | 7 | 8 | 15 | 45 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 16 | ||
| 1995–96 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 41 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 36 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 1995–96 1995–96 AHL season The 1995–96 AHL season was the 60th season of the American Hockey League. The AHL expands by two teams and realigns into two conferences, and four divisions. The Northern Conference includes the North and Atlantic Divisions... |
Saint John Flames Saint John Flames The Saint John Flames were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League from 1993 to 2003 in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The Calgary Flames bought and relocated the Utica Devils, to be their AHL affiliate.... |
AHL | 3 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 8 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 1996–97 AHL season The 1996–97 AHL season was the 61st season of the American Hockey League. The league renames its divisions due to relocating teams. The Northern Conferences consists of the Atlantic Division becoming the Canadian Division, and the Central Division becoming the Empire State Division... |
Providence Bruins Providence Bruins The Providence Bruins are an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League, and are the primary development team for the NHL's Boston Bruins. They play in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.-History:... |
AHL | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1996–97 | Boston Bruins Boston Bruins The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the... |
NHL | 56 | 8 | 10 | 18 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Manitoba Moose Manitoba Moose The Manitoba Moose were a Canadian professional ice hockey team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba that played in the International Hockey League from 1996 to 2001 and American Hockey League from 2001 to 2011. The team moved to St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador in 2011 to become the St... |
IHL | 24 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 14 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Landshut EV | DEL | 13 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 310 | 49 | 58 | 107 | 233 | 26 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 20 | ||||