Keith Yandle

Keith Yandle (born September 5, 1986) is an American ice hockey defenseman and alternate captain for the National Hockey League's Phoenix Coyotes.

Amateur
Yandle attended Cushing Academy where he was close friends with Chris Bourque, the dynamic duo even did a two man show in 2003, and was slated to attend the University of New Hampshire where his brother Brian played from 2002–06. However, Yandle decided to forgo his college eligibility and instead decided to play for the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Playing in 66 games in 2005–06, he tallied 25 goals and 59 assists for 84 points. The Wildcats won the QMJHL championship and Yandle took home the league's Emile Bouchard Trophy (best defenseman) and Telus Trophy (defensive player of the year).

Professional
He appeared in his first NHL game on October 11, 2006 against the Detroit Red Wings and logged 20 minutes of ice time in the game.

In the 2007–08 season he participated in the AHL All-Star Game as a member of the PlanetUSA team.

In his first playoff game on April 14, 2010, Yandle scored the first goal for the Coyotes against the Red Wings to tie the game at 1-1. He would later add an assist and be named one of the game's three stars.

He was named to the 2011 NHL All Star game as a replacement for Tobias Enstrom.

Shortly after free agency began on July 1, 2011, Yandle signed a five-year contract extension with the Coyotes that will reportedly earn him more than $26 million.