What is Kevin Bieksa?
{{Infobox ice hockey player | image = Kevin Bieksa Canucks practice 2012b.jpg | image_size = 230px | caption = Bieksa with the Canucks in 2012 | position = [[Defenceman (ice hockey)|Defence]] | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 1 | weight_lb = 197 | shot = Right | played_for = [[Vancouver Canucks]]<br>[[Anaheim Ducks]] | ntl_team = Canada | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|6|16}} | birth_place = [[Grimsby, Ontario|Grimsby]], [[Ontario|ON]], [[Canada|CAN]] | draft = 151st overall | draft_year = 2001 | draft_team = [[Vancouver Canucks]] | career_start = 2004 | career_end = 2018 }} '''Kevin Francesco Bieksa''' (born June 16, 1981) is a [[Canadians|Canadian]] studio analyst and former professional [[ice hockey]] [[Defenceman (ice hockey)|defenceman]]. He played parts of 13 years in the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL) for the [[Vancouver Canucks]] and [[Anaheim Ducks]]. He is a co-host of ''[[Hockey Night in Canada]]''. After playing junior hockey in Ontario, Bieksa was awarded a scholarship to [[Bowling Green University]], where he spent four years. While at university, Bieksa was selected by the Canucks in the [[2001 NHL Entry Draft]], and joined their minor league partner, the [[Manitoba Moose]] of the [[American Hockey League]] (AHL), after graduating. After spending time with the Moose, he joined the Canucks. A physical defenceman, Bieksa has increased his scoring totals in each of the full seasons he has played in the NHL. During his time with the Canucks, Bieksa would help them reach the [[2011 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]] but they would lose 4 games to three to the [[Boston Bruins]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/recap/_/gameId/310615022|accessdate=April 5, 2024|title=Bruins capture first Stanley Cup since 1972 as Tim Thomas wins Conn Smythe|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> On June 27, 2011, Bieksa would sign a five-year, $23 million contract extension with the team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=370169|accessdate=April 5, 2024|title=Bieksa signs five-year, $23M deal