Keith Ballard

{{Infobox Ice Hockey Player
| image =Keith Ballard 03-2011.jpg
| image_size = 240px
| image_alt = A Caucasian ice hockey player. He is looking to the right with his hand at his mouth. He wears a blue, visored helmet and a blue jersey with white and green trim.
| team = [[Vancouver Canucks]]
| former_teams = [[Florida Panthers]]<br>[[Phoenix Coyotes]]
| league = [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| position = [[defenceman (ice hockey)|Defense]]
| shoots = Left
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lb = 208
| ntl_team = United States
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|11|26|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[Baudette, Minnesota|Baudette]], [[Minnesota|MN]], [[United States|USA]]
| career_start = 2004
| draft = 11th overall
| draft_year = 2002
| draft_team = [[Buffalo Sabres]]
}}
'''Keith Ballard''' (born November 26, 1982) is an [[United States|American]] professional [[ice hockey]] [[defenseman]] who is currently a member of the [[Vancouver Canucks]] of the [[National Hockey League]] (NHL). He played [[college hockey]] for the [[Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey|Minnesota Golden Gophers]] of the [[Western Collegiate Hockey Association]] (WCHA) for three seasons. After his freshman year, he was selected 11th overall by the [[Buffalo Sabres]] in the [[2002 NHL Entry Draft]]. Before he made his NHL debut, he was traded twice – initially to the [[Colorado Avalanche]], then to the [[Phoenix Coyotes]]. He played his professional rookie season in [[2004–05 AHL season|2004–05]] with the Coyotes' [[American Hockey League]] (AHL) affiliate, the [[Utah Grizzlies]], then debuted with Phoenix the [[2005–06 NHL season|following season]]. After three years, he was traded to the [[Florida Panthers]], where he spent two seasons before being dealt to Vancouver at the [[2010 NHL Entry Draft]]. Internationally, Ballard has represented the [[USA Hockey|United States]] in four [[World Ice Hockey Championships|World Championships]], winning bronze in [[2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2004]]. He has also played in two [[junior ice hockey|junior]] tournaments – the [[2000 IIHF World U18 Championships]] and [[2002 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2002 World Junior Championships]].

==Playing career==
===Junior and college (1999–2004)===
Ballard played two seasons at the [[junior ice hockey|junior]] level in the [[United States Hockey League]] (USHL), initially with the [[USA Hockey|United States National Development Team]] in 1999–00, then the [[Omaha Lancers]] the following season. He recorded 51 points over 56 games in 2000–01. With a league-leading 22 goals among defensemen,<ref name=more>{{citenews|title=There's More To Come: Sophomore Defenseman Keith Ballard|url=http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=252373&SPID=3310&SPSID=38718|accessdate=2010-08-22|date=2002-11-28|publisher=[[University of Minnesota]]}}</ref> he earned First Team All-Star honors and a selection to the 2001 USHL All-Star Game.<ref name=ushl>{{citenews|title=Muskies go to Lincoln for first two games of playoff series|url=http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/uncategorized/article_cb4bc54f-4dcc-52f7-b3d4-0c6d249a6c60.html|accessdate=2010-08-07|date=2001-03-30|publisher=''Sioux City Journal''|author=Steve Allspach}}</ref><ref name=ushl2>{{citenews|title=2001 USHL All-Star/Prospects Game|url=http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/1942/2001_ushl_all_starprospects_game/|accessdate=2010-08-07|date=2001-02-01|publisher=Hockey's Future|author=Jason Shaner}}</ref> In the post-season, he helped the Lancers win the [[Clark Cup]] as league champions,<ref name=more/> notching seven points in 10 playoff games.

In 2001–02, he began a three-year tenure of [[college hockey]] with the [[Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey|Minnesota Golden Gophers]] of the [[Western Collegiate Hockey Association|WCHA]], a conference within the [[National Collegiate Athletics Association]] (NCAA). He joined a defensive corps in Minnesota that included future NHL players [[Jordan Leopold]] and [[Paul Martin]].<ref name=more/> Ballard was a much-anticipated freshman and was named the WCHA's pre-season rookie of the year.<ref name="minnesota bio"/> Making his collegiate debut on October 5, 2001, he notched two assists against the [[North Dakota Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey|North Dakota Fighting Sioux]].<ref name="minnesota bio"/> Ballard started his rookie campaign on a six-game point streak that included two goals and four assists.<ref name="minnesota bio"/> Recording 10 goals and 23 points over 41 games total as a freshman, he earned WCHA All-Rookie Team honors.<ref name=tsn>{{cite web|title=Keith Ballard|url=http://tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=3039|accessdate=2010-08-07|publisher=[[The Sports Network]]}}</ref> In the first round of the subsequent WCHA playoffs, he scored the series-clinching goal in overtime to eliminate North Dakota.<ref name="minnesota bio"/> The Golden Gophers advanced to the [[2002 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament|2002 NCAA Championships]], where they captured their first of back-to-back [[NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship|national titles]]. Ballard scored the first goal of the NCAA final against the [[Maine Black Bears men's ice hockey|Maine Black Bears]], helping Minnesota to a 4–3 win in [[overtime (ice hockey)|overtime]].<ref>{{citenews|title=Gophers win first national title in 23 years|url=http://assets.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/2002/0406/1364204.html|accessdate=2010-08-22|date=2002-04-06|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=Associated Press}}</ref><ref name=ncaa02>{{cite web|title=2002 NCAA Tournament|url=http://insidecollegehockey.com/6History/ncaa_02.htm|accessdate=2010-08-19|publisher=Inside College Hockey}}</ref> 

The following year, Ballard recorded a college career-high 41 points over 45 games, fourth among NCAA defensemen and third in team scoring.<ref name="minnesota bio"/> He was named a WCHA All-Academic and [[University of Minnesota]] Scholar Athlete for combined performance with the Golden Gophers and in classes.<ref name="minnesota bio"/> He helped the Golden Gophers to the [[Broadmoor Trophy]] as WCHA playoff champions and earned WCHA Final Five All-Tournament Team honors after recording two assists and a +4 rating in the final two games of the post-season.<ref name="minnesota bio"/> The Gophers then defeated the [[New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey|New Hampshire Wildcats]] in the [[2003 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament|2003 NCAA Final]] by a 5–4 score to repeat as national champions.<ref name=ncaa03>{{cite web|title=2003 NCAA Tournament|url=http://insidecollegehockey.com/6History/ncaa_03.htm|accessdate=2010-08-19|publisher=Inside College Hockey}}</ref> Ballard received NCAA West Regional All-Star honors for his efforts during the tournament.<ref name="minnesota bio"/>

Ballard was named an [[alternate captain]] in his third year<ref name=insane/> and produced 11 goals and 36 points over 37 games. His 0.97 points-per-game average ranked second among NCAA defensemen, while his five [[game winning goal]]s were second among all WCHA players and fifth in the NCAA.<ref name=allamerican>{{citenews|title=Keith Ballard and Thomas Vanek Named ACHA All-Americans|url=http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=258563&SPID=3310&SPSID=38718|accessdate=2004-04-06|publisher=[[University of Minnesota]]}}</ref>  Ballard served as captain in place of Grant Potulny when the latter was sidelined with injury.<ref name=lookback/> Ballard was also sidelined for seven games during the campaign himself with a knee injury.<ref name=lookback>{{citenews|title=A Look Back at the Career of Keith Ballard|url=http://www.gopherhole.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=44|accessdate=2010-08-05|date=2004-06-14|publisher=GopherHole.com}}</ref> He was voted by his teammates as Minnesota's most valuable player<ref name="minnesota mvp">{{citenews|title=Keith Ballard Named MVP of Golden Gopher Men's Hockey Team|url=http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=258429&SPID=3310&SPSID=38718|accessdate=2010-08-22|date=2004-05-07|publisher=[[University of Minnesota]]}}</ref> and received WCHA First All-Star Team, WCHA All-Tournament Team and NCAA West First All-Star Team honors.<ref name=tsn/> Ballard was also one of 10 finalists for the [[Hobey Baker Award]], given to the NCAA's top men's ice hockey player (it was awarded to [[Junior Lessard]] of the [[Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey|Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs]]).<ref name=primes/><ref>{{citenews|title=Keith Ballard Named Finalist for 2004 Hobey Baker Memorial Award|url=http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=258429&SPID=3310&SPSID=38718|accessdate=2010-08-22|date=2004-03-17|publisher=[[University of Minnesota]]}}</ref> The Golden Gophers failed to defend their national championship, however, losing their regional final to Minnesota-Duluth.<ref name=hobey>{{cite web|title=2004 NCAA Tourmament|url=http://insidecollegehockey.com/6History/ncaa_04.htm|accessdate=2010-08-19|publisher=Inside College Hockey}}</ref>

Ballard left the Golden Gophers seventh all-time among team defensemen with 33 goals.<ref name="gophers alltime"/> He was also the 74th player in team history to notch 100 points,<ref name=hobey/> which also ranked him 11th among defensemen.<ref name="gophers alltime">{{citenews|title=Keith Ballard Signs with Phoenix Coyotes|url=http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=258796&SPID=3310&SPSID=38718|accessdate=2010-08-22|date=2004-06-07|publisher=[[University of Minnesota]]}}</ref>

===Phoenix Coyotes (2004–08)===
Ballard was selected in the first round, 11th overall, by the [[Buffalo Sabres]] in the [[2002 NHL Entry Draft]]. The choice was seen as a surprise by draft observers, as he was projected to be a late first-round to second-round pick.<ref name=more/><ref>{{citenews|title=Sabres Report: 2002 Draft Review, Part 1|url=http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/4703/sabres_report2002_draft_review_part1/|accessdate=2010-08-19|date=2002-06-24|publisher=Hockey's Future|author=Ken McKenna}}</ref><ref name=draft>{{Citenews|title=Blue Jackets trade up to take Nash No. 1|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/draft02/2002-06-21-nhl-draft-main.htm|accessdate=2010-08-19|date=2002-06-21|publisher=''[[USA Today]]''|author=Kevin Allen}}</ref> Ballard himself professed the early selection to be unexpected, saying he was ready to be drafted between the 20th and 40th positions.<ref name=more/> Scouting reports listed him as a puck-rushing offensive defenceman with comparisons to [[Phil Housley]].<ref name=draft/> Before making his NHL debut, he was traded twice. He was initially dealt by Buffalo to the [[Colorado Avalanche]] on July 3, 2003, for [[Steven Reinprecht]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2003/07/03/flames030703.html|title=Flames acquire Reinprecht, Warrener | publisher =[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] | date = 2003-07-03 | accessdate = 2010-06-28}}</ref> The following year, he was traded again to the [[Phoenix Coyotes]], along with defenseman [[Derek Morris (ice hockey)|Derek Morris]], for forward [[Chris Gratton]], defenseman [[Ossi Väänänen]] and a second-round selection in the [[2005 NHL Entry Draft|2005 draft]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Avalanche acquire Salo, Gratton|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/story/2004/03/09/salo_avs040309.html|accessdate=2010-06-25|date=2004-03-09|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]}}</ref>

Ballard signed with Phoenix a year later to an entry-level contract worth an annual $1.2 million over three years, including bonuses.<ref name=primes/> With his NHL contract, he decided to forgo his senior year of [[college hockey]]. The decision was spurred by his performance at the [[2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2004 World Championships]] with [[United States national men's ice hockey team|Team USA]], competing with NHL veterans.<ref name=primes/> Ballard indicated that he would only leave the University of Minnesota if he was offered the maximum allowable contract for a rookie, as designated by the [[collective bargaining agreement]] of the time, which he received.<ref name="gophers alltime"/>

[[Image:Keith Ballard.JPG|thumb|left|Ballard in his first season with the Panthers|alt=A Caucasian ice hockey player standing relaxed on the ice. He wears a white, visored helmet and a white and orange jersey. He holds his stick on the ice lightly with one hand.]]

Due to the [[2004–05 NHL lockout|NHL lockout]], he made his professional debut in the [[American Hockey League|AHL]] with the Coyotes' minor league affiliate, the [[Utah Grizzlies]] in [[2004–05 AHL season|2004–05]]. He notched two goals and 20 points over 60 games in his professional rookie campaign. As NHL resumed play the [[2005–06 NHL season|following season]], Ballard played his first game with the Coyotes on October 5, 2005, against the [[Vancouver Canucks]]. He scored his first NHL goal in his debut, beating goaltender [[Dan Cloutier]].<ref>{{cite web|title=One Time Only|url=http://canucks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=544324&navid=DL|VAN|home|accessdate=2010-11-25|date=2010-11-23|publisher=[[Vancouver Canucks]]}}</ref> Ballard finished with 8 goals and 39 points as a rookie; both remain career highs. He led all NHL defensemen in [[Goal_(ice_hockey)#Types_of_goals|shorthanded goals]] with three.<ref>{{cite web|title=Shorthanded Goals|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20062ALLDADAll&sort=shortHandedGoals&viewName=scoringLeaders|accessdate=2010-09-18|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref> Ballard was sidelined for 13 games in [[2006–07 NHL season|his second NHL season]] due to a bone fracture in his hand, suffered while blocking a shot during a game on October 9, 2006.<ref>{{citenews|title=Ballard out with bone fracture|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=2620735|accessdate=2010-08-05|date=2006-10-10|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=Associated Press}}</ref> He went on to record 27 points in 69 games. In the off-season, he was re-signed on August 29, 2007, to a two-year contract.<ref>{{citenews|title=Coyotes re-sign Keith Ballard|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2007/08/29/coyotes-ballard.html|accessdate=2010-08-05|date=2007-08-29|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]}}</ref> In [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08]], Ballard recorded a career-low 21 points.

===Florida Panthers (2008–10)===
During the [[2008 NHL Entry Draft]], he was dealt, along with defenseman [[Nick Boynton]] and a second-round pick in the draft, to the [[Florida Panthers]] in exchange for forward [[Olli Jokinen]].<ref name=jokinen>{{citenews|title=Phoenix lands Jokinen, trades Boynton, Ballard|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=372075|accessdate=2010-08-05|date=2008-06-21|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|author=Dan Rosen}}</ref> Upon trading for Ballard, Florida head coach [[Jacques Martin (ice hockey)|Jacques Martin]] heralded him as the club's number-two defenseman, behind [[Jay Bouwmeester]].<ref name=jokinen/> Prior to the [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09 season]], Ballard signed a six-year, $25.2 million contract extension with the Panthers.<ref name=contract08>{{citenews|title=Keith Ballard commits to Panthers for $25.2M|url=http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2008/09/09/nhl-coyotes-ballard.html|accessdate=2010-08-03|publisher=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]]}}</ref> The deal came with a season remaining on his existing contract, previously signed with the Coyotes.<ref name=contract08/>

[[Image:Ballard Edler Henrik.jpg|thumb|Ballard (left) stands with Canucks teammates [[Alex Edler]] and [[Henrik Sedin]].]]

Ballard went on to tally 34 points during his first campaign with Florida in 2008–09. The [[2009–10 NHL season|following season]], on November 30, 2009, Ballard was involved in an on-ice incident that injured his own teammate, goaltender [[Tomáš Vokoun]]. After being on the ice for a goal during a game against the [[Atlanta Thrashers]], Ballard aimed to smash his stick against the post and mistakenly hit Vokoun in the mask. Vokoun was taken from the ice on a stretcher and suffered a cut on his ear that required stitches;<ref>{{Cite web |title=No hard feelings after Vokoun injured by teammate's swing |url=http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=300709 |publisher=[[The Sports Network]] |work=The Canadian Press |date=2009-12-01 |accessdate=2010-02-01}}</ref> he missed two games before returning to the lineup.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tomas Vokoun|url=http://tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=296|accessdate=2010-08-03|publisher=[[The Sports Network]]}}</ref> Ballard, who apologized to Vokoun following the game, was not disciplined by the Panthers or NHL.<ref>{{citenews|title=Panthers' Ballard apologizes to injured teammate Vokoun|url=http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/nhl/panthers/2009-12-02-ballard-apologizes_N.htm|accessdate=2010-08-21|date=2009-12-02|publisher=''[[USA Today]]''|author=Associated Press}}</ref> He went on to match his career-high eight goals and added 20 assists for 28 points in his second season with the Panthers. He also ranked third in the league in blocked shots with 201.<ref>{{cite web|title=Player Stats - 2009-2010 - Regular Season - All Skaters - Real-Time Stats - Blocked Shots|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20102ALLSASAll&sort=blockedShots&viewName=rtssPlayerStats|accessdate=2010-08-07|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref> Ballard had played parts of the season with a hip injury.<ref name=hip/> After completing the campaign, he underwent the second hip surgery of his career in May 2010 to repair a stress fracture and remove a cyst.<ref name=hip>{{citenews|title=Ballard adjusting to a new life, a new team and a new body part|url=http://www.faceoff.com/Ballard+adjusting+life/3584570/story.html|accessdate=2010-11-25|date=2010-09-27|publisher=''[[The Vancouver Sun]]''|author=Iain MacIntyre}}</ref>

===Vancouver Canucks (from 2010)===
On June 25, 2010, during the [[2010 NHL Entry Draft]], Ballard was traded to the [[Vancouver Canucks]] along with [[Victor Oreskovich]], for [[Michael Grabner]], [[Steve Bernier]], and Vancouver's first round pick, the 25th overall selection, used to select [[Quinton Howden]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://panthers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=532855&navid=DL|title=Florida Deals D Ballard To Vancouver|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]|date=2010-06-25|accessdate=2010-06-25}}</ref> After spending two months of the off-season on crutches while recovering from surgery, he reported to the Canucks' training camp, but struggled in the pre-season.<ref name=hip/> Four games into the regular season, he suffered a [[concussion]] after being hit into the boards by [[Los Angeles Kings]] forward [[Brad Richardson]] on October 16, 2010.<ref>{{citenews|title=Canucks struggle to find the mark as they bow to Kings 4–1|url=http://www.canada.com/Canucks+struggle+mark+they+down+Kings/3682045/story.html|accessdate=2010-11-25|date=2010-10-16|publisher=''[[The Province]]''|author=Ben Kuzma}}</ref> He was subsequently sidelined for five games.<ref name=tsn/> Upon returning to the lineup, however, his play continued to struggle. Averaging 13 minutes of ice time a game, he was eventually taken out of the lineup for four games in November by Canucks head coach [[Alain Vigneault]].<ref name=luck>{{citenews|title=Nothing but bad luck for Ballard|url=http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Nothing+luck+Ballard/3875900/story.html|accessdate=2010-11-25|date=2010-11-24|publisher=''[[The Province]]''}}</ref> It marked the first time in his career he was a healthy scratch.<ref name=luck/> After being re-insterted into the lineup, he scored his first goal as a Canuck in a 6–1 win against the [[San Jose Sharks]] on November 26.<ref>{{citenews|title=Samuelsson scores twice, Canucks rout Sharks|url=http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=343057|accessdate=2010-11-27|date=2010-11-26|publisher=[[The Sports Network]]}}</ref> Several months later, Ballard suffered a sprained [[medial collateral ligament]] (MCL) in his right knee during a game against the [[Ottawa Senators]] on February 7, 2011. The injury resulted from opposing forward [[Milan Michalek]] tripping him from behind, which Canucks general manager [[Mike Gillis]] pointed out did not occur anywhere near the puck, alluding to the play as illegal and disrespectable.<ref>{{citenews|title=Ballard: leg feels better than expected; out with MCL sprain|url=http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=353011|accessdate=2011-02-08|date=2011-02-08|publisher=[[The Sports Network]]}}</ref> Ballard finished his first regular season with career lows in games played (65), goals (2), assists (5), points (7) and average ice time per game (15 minutes and 14 seconds). His individual struggles came amidst a franchise record season for the Canucks, who won the [[Presidents' Trophy]] as the NHL's regular season champion for the first time in team history. Entering the playoffs as the first seed in the West, the Canucks advanced past the [[Chicago Blackhawks]], [[Nashville Predators]] and [[San Jose Sharks]] to qualify for the [[2011 Stanley Cup Finals]]. Facing the [[Boston Bruins]], Vancouver lost the [[Stanley Cup]] in Game 7. Over the team's 25 playoff games, Ballard dressed for 10. Playing only one game of the final two rounds, he droppd in the depth chart behind [[Aaron Rome]] and rookie [[Chris Tanev]].

==International play==
{{MedalTableTop|KeithBallard2008IIHF.jpg|250px|Ballard during the [[2008 IIHF World Championship]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{ih|USA}}}}
{{MedalSport|[[Ice hockey]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[IIHF World Championship]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2004 IIHF World Championship|2004 Czech Republic]]|}}
{{MedalBottom}}

Ballard made his international debut with [[USA Hockey|Team USA]] at the [[2000 IIHF World U18 Championships]] in [[Switzerland]]. He was named to the squad while playing in the National Under-18 Development Program for the 1999–2000 season. He contributed a goal and an assist in six games, as the United States finished in eighth place.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Ranking|url=http://www.iihf.com/hockey/x/9900/W18a/9900/htm/W18A_fr.htm|accessdate=2010-08-08|publisher=[[International Ice Hockey Federation]]}}</ref> Two years later, Ballard was named to the under-20 squad for the [[2001 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2001 World Junior Championships]] in the [[Czech Republic]]. He played in seven games, recording a goal and an assist. The United States lost in the quartefinal to Russia and went on to place in fifth after defeating Sweden 3–2 in a consolation match.<ref>{{cite web|title=Play Off Round Position 1-8|url=http://www.iihf.com/hockey/x/9900/W18a/9900/htm/W18A_fr.htm|accessdate=2010-08-08|publisher=[[International Ice Hockey Federation]]}}</ref>

Following his third year with the [[Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey|Minnesota Golden Gophers]], Ballard debuted with the [[United States national men's ice hockey team|United States men's team]] for the [[2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2004 World Championships]] in the Czech Republic. He was named to the squad after forward [[Scott Gomez]] withdrew himself due to personal reasons.<ref>{{citenews|title=Keith Ballard Named to United States Roster for 2004 IIHF World Championships|url=http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=258645&SPID=3310&SPSID=38718|accessdate=2010-08-22|date=2004-04-25|publisher=[[University of Minnesota]]}}</ref> As the lone [[National Collegiate Athletics Association|NCAA]] player on the national squad,<ref name=primes>{{citenews|title=Team USA stint primes Ballard for NHL|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1818315|accessdate=2010-08-03|date=2004-06-08|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=Associated Press}}</ref> he helped the United States to a bronze medal finish.<ref>{{cite web|title=2004 IIHF World Championship|url=http://www.iihf.com/Hydra/Tournaments/output/WS/hydra.iihf.com/IIHF_Core/jsp/content/web_output/index.jsp@compId=35|accessdate=2010-08-08|publisher=[[International Ice Hockey Federation]]}}</ref> His lone goal of the tournament and first career goal in men's international competition came during a 7–1 round-robin win against [[Ukraine national ice hockey team|Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Game Summary|url=http://www.iihf.com/Hydra/Tournaments/output/WS/hydra.iihf.com/data/iihf/output/xml/35/IHM035B20_74_1_0.pdf|accessdate=2010-08-08|publisher=[[International Ice Hockey Federation]]|format=PDF}}</ref>

Three years later, Ballard began a three-year stretch of consecutive appearances at the [[World Ice Hockey Championships|World Championships]]. He recorded an international career-high three assists at the [[2007 IIHF World Championship|2007 tournament]] in [[Russia]], as the United States were eliminated in a 5–4 shootout loss to [[Finland national men's ice hockey team|Finland]] in the quarterfinal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tournament Progress|url=http://www.iihf.com/Hydra/Tournaments_07/output/WS/hydra.iihf.com/113/IHM113Z017_76B_2_0.pdf|accessdate=2010-08-08|publisher=[[International Ice Hockey Federation]]|format=PDF}}</ref> Competing in [[Quebec City]] and [[Halifax Regional Municipality|Halifax]], [[Canada]], the [[2008 IIHF World Championship|following year]], Ballard recorded two assists in five games while ranking seventh among team defensemen in average ice time per game.<ref>{{cite web|title=Player Statistics By Team|url=http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/132/IHM1320USA_83_7_0.pdf|accessdate=2010-08-08|publisher=[[International Ice Hockey Federation]]|format=PDF}}</ref> The United States finished in sixth place, losing in the quarterfinal to Finland.<ref>{{cite web|title=Final Rankings|url=http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/132/IHM132Z017_Final_Ranking_1_0.pdf|accessdate=2010-08-08|publisher=[[International Ice Hockey Federation]]|format=PDF}}</ref> Ballard made his second bronze medal game appearance with the United States at the [[2009 IIHF World Championship]] in Switzerland, but lost to [[Sweden national men's ice hockey team|Sweden]] by a 4–2 score.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tournament Progress|url=http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/200/IHM2009900_76_11_0.pdf|accessdate=2010-08-09|publisher=[[International Ice Hockey Federation]]|format=PDF}}</ref> He contributed a goal and two assists in nine games while ranking second on the squad in plus-minus with a +3 rating and sixth among team defensemen in average ice time per game.<ref>{{cite web|title=Player Statistics By Team|url=http://stats.iihf.com/Hydra/200/IHM2000USA_83_10_0.pdf|accessdate=2010-08-09|publisher=[[International Ice Hockey Federation]]|format=PDF}}</ref>

==Playing style==
Ballard is a two-way defenseman, capable of contributing both offensively and defensively. Known for his hard hitting, specifically with hip checks,<ref>{{citenews|title=Ballard's big hit recalls lost art of the hip check|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2009-04-07/sports/0904060520_1_panthers-evgeni-malkin-final-playoff-spot|accessdate=2010-08-21|date=2009-04-07|publisher=''Sun-Sentinel''|author=Mason Kelley}}</ref> he led his club in hits during his first five years in the NHL.<ref>{{cite web|title=2005-06 - Hits|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20062PHODADAll&sort=hits&viewName=rtssPlayerStats|accessdate=2010-08-21|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2006-07 - Hits|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20072PHODADAll&sort=hits&viewName=rtssPlayerStats|accessdate=2010-08-21|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2007-08 - Hits|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20082PHODADAll&sort=hits&viewName=rtssPlayerStats|accessdate=2010-08-21|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2008-09 - Hits|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20092FLODADAll&sort=hits&viewName=rtssPlayerStats|accessdate=2010-08-21|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=2009-10 - Hits|url=http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats.htm?fetchKey=20102FLODADAll&sort=hits&viewName=rtssPlayerStats|accessdate=2010-08-21|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref> He is also proficient in shot-blocking.<ref>{{citenews|title=Ballard traded to Canucks in five-player swap|ur=http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=532776|accessdate=2010-08-21|date=2010-06-25|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref> Offensively, Ballard is noted as a good skater, making him able to start plays from the defensive zone.<ref name=draft/> He has a reputation as a player with intensity and a competitive edge.<ref name=insane>{{citenews|title=Going Insane: Junior Defenseman Keith Ballard|url=http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=252518&SPID=3310&SPSID=38718|accessdate=2010-08-22|date=2004-02-05|publisher=[[University of Minnesota]]}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Ballard was born in [[Baudette, Minnesota]], to parents Steve and Joanne.<ref name=inside>{{citenews|title=Inside the Panthers: Keith Ballard|url=http://panthers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=505730|accessdate=2010-08-19|date=2009-11-11|publisher=[[National Hockey League]]}}</ref> He has a sister, Jessie.<ref name=inside/> His family runs a fishing resort at Lake of the Woods in Minnesota, founded by Ballard's grandparents in 1961.<ref name=inside/>

Ballard left home following his sophomore year of high school to pursue his hockey career with the [[USA Hockey|U.S. National Development Team]] in [[Ann Arbour, Michigan]].<ref name=inside/> During his time with the [[Omaha Lancers]], he graduated from Millard North High School in [[Omaha, Nebraska]].<ref name="minnesota bio">{{citenews|title=Keith Ballard Bio|url=http://www.gophersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=38855&SPID=3322&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=8400&ATCLID=262871|accessdate=2010-08-22|publisher=[[University of Minnesota]]}}</ref> He was a multi-sport athlete during high school career, having earned an All-Conference selection as a [fullback and linebacker playing football and finishing as Conference championship runner-up as a golfer.<ref name=more/><ref name="minnesota bio"/>

Ballard and his wife have a daughter who was born in May 2010.<ref name=excited>{{citenews|title=Ballard excited to play in big hockey market|url=http://www.nationalpost.com/Ballard+excited+play+hockey+market/3208821/story.html|accessdate=2010-08-05|date=2010-06-28|publisher=''[[National Post]]''|author=Jason Botchford}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
===Regular season and playoffs===
{| BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="0" width="74%" style="text-align:center"
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;
! colspan="5" | [[Regular season|Regular&nbsp;season]]
! rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;
! colspan="5" | [[Playoffs]]
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! [[Season (sports)|Season]]
! Team
! League
! GP
! [[Goal (ice hockey)|G]]
! [[Assist (ice hockey)|A]]
! [[Point (ice hockey)|Pts]]
! [[Penalty (ice hockey)|PIM]]
! GP
! G
! A
! Pts
! PIM
|- ALIGN="center"
| 1999–00
| [[USA Hockey National Team Development Program|U.S. National Development Team]]
| [[United States Hockey League|USHL]]
| 58
| 12
| 21
| 33
| 119
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2000–01
| [[Omaha Lancers]]
| USHL
| 56
| 22
| 29
| 51
| 168
| 10
| 1
| 6
| 7
| 8
|- ALIGN="center"
| 2001–02
| [[Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey|Minnesota Golden Gophers]]
| [[Western Collegiate Hockey Association|WCHA]]
| 41
| 10
| 13
| 23
| 42
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2002–03
| Minnesota Golden Gophers
| WCHA
| 45
| 12
| 29
| 41
| 78
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- ALIGN="center"
| 2003–04
| Minnesota Golden Gophers
| WCHA
| 37
| 11
| 25
| 36
| 83
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2004–05 AHL season|2004–05]]
| [[Utah Grizzlies]]
| [[American Hockey League|AHL]]
| 60
| 2
| 18
| 20
| 88
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- ALIGN="center"
| [[2005–06 NHL season|2005–06]]
| [[Phoenix Coyotes]]
| [[National Hockey League|NHL]]
| 82
| 8
| 31
| 39
| 99
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2006–07 NHL season|2006–07]]
| Phoenix Coyotes
| NHL
| 69
| 5
| 22
| 27
| 59
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- ALIGN="center"
| [[2007–08 NHL season|2007–08]]
| Phoenix Coyotes
| NHL
| 82
| 6
| 15
| 21
| 85
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2008–09 NHL season|2008–09]]
| [[Florida Panthers]]
| NHL
| 82
| 6
| 28
| 34
| 72
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- ALIGN="center"
| [[2009–10 NHL season|2009–10]]
| Florida Panthers
| NHL
| 82
| 8
| 20
| 28
| 88
| —
| —
| —
| —
| —
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2010–11 NHL season|2010–11]]
| [[Vancouver Canucks]]
| NHL
| 65
| 2
| 5
| 7
| 53
| 10
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 6
|- bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" | NHL totals
! 462
! 35
! 121
! 156
! 456
! 10
! 0
! 0
! 0
! 6
|}

===International===
{| BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="3" CELLSPACING="0" width="74%"
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year
! Team
! Event
! ALIGN="center" rowspan="99" bgcolor="#ffffff" | &nbsp;
! GP
! G
! A
! Pts
! PIM
|- ALIGN="center"
| [[2000 IIHF World U18 Championships|2000]]
| [[USA Hockey|United States]]
| [[IIHF World U18 Championship|U18]]
| 6
| 1
| 1
| 2
| 4 
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| [[2002 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships|2002]]  
| [[United States men's national junior ice hockey team|United States]]
| [[IIHF World U20 Championship|WJC]] 	
|7
|1
|1
|2
|4
|- ALIGN="center"
| [[2004 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2004]]
| [[United States men's national ice hockey team|United States]]	
|[[Ice Hockey World Championships|WC]]
|8
|1
|0
|1
|2
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
|[[2007 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2007]] 
| United States 	
| WC
|7
|0
|3
|3
|16
|- ALIGN="center"	
| [[2008 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships|2008]]
| United States
| WC
| 5
| 0
| 2
| 2
| 16
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
|[[2009 IIHF World Championship|2009]] 
| United States
|WC 	
|9
|1
|2
|3
|2
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan=3 | Junior int'l totals
! 13
! 2
! 2
! 4
! 8
|- ALIGN="center" bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan=3 | Senior int'l totals
! 29  	 
! 2
! 7
! 9
! 36
|}

==Awards==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Award
! Year
|-
| USHL All-Star Game || 2001<ref name=ushl2/>
|-
| USHL First Team All-Star || 2001<ref name=ushl/>
|-
| [[NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championship|NCAA national title]] <small>(with [[Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey|Minnesota Golden Gophers]])</small> || [[2002 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament|2002]] and [[2003 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament|2003]]<ref name=ncaa02/><ref name=ncaa03/>
|-
| [[Western Collegiate Hockey Association|WCHA]] All-Rookie Team || 2002<ref name=tsn/>
|-
| WCHA All-Academic Team || 2003<ref name="minnesota bio"/>
|-
| [[University of Minnesota]] Scholar Athlete || 2003<ref name="minnesota bio"/>
|-
| WCHA Final Five All-Tournament Team || 2003<ref name="minnesota bio"/>
|-
| WCHA First All-Star Team || 2004<ref name=tsn/>
|-
| WCHA All-Tournament Team || 2004<ref name=tsn/>
|-
| NCAA West First All-American Team || 2004<ref name=tsn/>
|-
| John Mariucci Award <small>([[Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey|Minnesota Golden Gophers]] MVP)</small> || 2004<ref name="minnesota mvp"/>
|-
| [[Hobey Baker Award]] finalist || 2004<ref name=hobey/>
|}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commonscat|Keith Ballard}}
*{{nhlprofile|8470054}}
*[http://tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=3039 Keith Ballard's TSN profile]
*{{hockeydb|61770}}

{{s-start}}
{{succession box | before = [[Jiří Novotný (ice hockey)|Jiří Novotný]] | title = [[List of Buffalo Sabres draft picks|Buffalo Sabres first round draft pick]] | years = [[2002 NHL Entry Draft|2002]] | after = [[Daniel Paille]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ballard, Keith}}

{{Wikipedia}}