Jami Thompson
Christopher Kunitz is a former professional ice hockey winger from Canada who played in the National Hockey League. He had stints with the Anaheim Ducks, Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Chicago Blackhawks.
Early Life, Education, Parents
Marvin and Penny Kunitz gave birth to NHL star Chris Kunitz.
Chris had a clear goal from the beginning. Kunitz desired to play hockey and attend Ferris State University. Although his dream was simple, life gave it a grandeur he had never anticipated.
Chris, a Canadian athlete, attended Regina’s Michael A. Riffel High School. He graduated in 1997, and fortunately, ten years later, in 2007, he won his first Stanley Cup.
Start of his Career
Before signing on with the Ferris State Bulldogs in 1999 while still a student at Ferris State University, hockey star Kunitz played for two seasons with the Melville Millionaires.
In 2003, Chris also made it to the finalist round of the Hobey Baker Award.
Chris, who was undrafted despite being signed by the Ducks as an undrafted free agent, will now split his time between Anaheim and Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the American Hockey League (AHL). Cincinnati NHL players went on strike in 2004–2005.
Just two weeks after leaving the Anaheim Ducks, Kunitz came back. He participated in 67 games and recorded 41 points (19 goals, 22 assists). He made a significant contribution to the Ducks winning the first Stanley Cup.
Great athletes like Temmu Selanne, Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Corey Perry, and Ryan Getzlaf were among the opponents Kunitz faced. But he managed to secure himself a position on the team.
Chris was elevated to the position of team alternate captain the following season, in 2007-08, but that year, his performance slightly declined and he was forced to trade away.
International Play
Chris represented his native Canada in his first international match in 2008, winning a silver medal.
Chris, a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, took home a gold medal after competing in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Retirement
Chris also participated in 178 playoff games, scoring 27 goals and dishing out 66 assists. After 15 complete NHL seasons, the athlete announced his retirement on July 30, 2019.
Chris thanked almost everyone before leaving. Chris was praised by Chicago coach Jeremy Colliton and welcomed to the coaching staff.
Achievements
- All-CCHA First Team (Season 2001-02)
- All-CCHA First Team (Season 2002-03)
- AHCA West First-Team All-American (Season 2002-03)
- CCHA All-Tournament Team (2003)
- Stanley Cup (Anaheim Ducks in 2007)
- Stanley Cup (Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, 2016 & 2017)
- First All-Star Team (2013)
- 2014 Winter Olympics (gold medal)
- 2008 world Championship (silver medal)
Net Worth and Salary
Kunitz began playing ice hockey when he joined the Melville Millionaires of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. Kunitz, a left winger, is thought to be worth $14 million.
The majority of Kunitz’s wealth came from hockey. Chris signed an $11 million, three-year contract with the Penguins in 2013.
Chris signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning in July 2017. Additionally, Kunitz agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with the Blackhawks in 2018.
Chris earned a total of $39,012,500 during his NHL career as a result of the numerous contracts he signed with various NHL teams.
Chris is still working for the Blackhawks after announcing his retirement in 2019 as a player development advisor, which will probably increase his wealth in the long run.
Age, Weight, & Height
Left winger, Kunitz turned 42 years old as he was born on September 26, 1979. He is about 88 kilograms and 6 feet tall.
Chris is a Libran by birth. Typically, Librans are gracious and diplomatic individuals. In every aspect of their lives, they strive for harmony.
Relationship| Wife, and Children
Chris claims that he first met his wife Maureen Pfeiffer at Ferris. There, they made beautiful memories together.
After graduating from Ferris, Chris started making his NHL career, while Maureen, a Schaumburg native, started working in Chicago.
In the summer of 2006, Kunitz also relocated to Chicago. In July 2008, Chris got married at Bucktown Church. The couple’s wedding reception was held at the Field Museum.
The three lovely children of Chris and Maureen are Zachary James, Payton Marie, and Aubrey Ann.
Chris also thinks back on his close Ferris friends, whom he will always treasure. The family moved around a lot after Chris’s retirement before deciding to settle in Chicago.
Rumors and Controversies| Ex-Nanny Issue
In 2016, Chris Kunitz was connected with the nanny, but there was a conflict with her. His ex-nanny apparently filed fraudulent insurance claims for setting fire to the house and other issues.
Nanny had also stolen the $12,000 diamond earrings from Maureen Kunitz’s bedroom while the couple was not at home.
According to sources, she stole $4,400 as well as a gold, diamond earring with a value of over $10,000 from another home.
Social Media
Ice hockey player Kunitz sadly doesn’t have any official social media pages. Although he comes across as pleasant and likable, he refrained from posting about his private and work-related matters on social media.
Even though he is retired now, we might still run into him on some platforms. Both his social media followers and his teammates will appreciate getting to know him better.
FAQs
How many cups did Chris Kunitz win?
With the Pittsburgh Penguins and one with the Anaheim Ducks, Chris Kunitz has won four Stanley Cups.
What is Chris Kunitz doing?
Kunitz stepped down in 2019. He will serve the Blackhawks as a player development advisor. The player, who is 41, might consider other endeavors in the future.
Did Chris play for the Atlanta Thrashers?
In 2005–2006, Kunitz spent a brief time playing for the Thrashers. He continued after returning to the Ducks. Chris once made fun of the Thrashers not being on his list of possible careers.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Christopher Kunitz |
| Birth Date | September 26, 1979 |
| Birth Place | Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Nick Name | Not Available |
| Religion | Not Available |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Education | Ferris State University |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Team | Anaheim Ducks, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning & Chicago Blackhawks |
| Father’s Name | Marvin Kunitz |
| Mother’s Name | Penny Kunitz |
| Siblings | Not Available |
| Age | 42 Years Old |
| Weight | 88.4kg |
| Height | 6 feet |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Body Measurement | Not Available |
| Shoe size | Not Available |
| Build | Athletic |
| Married | Yes |
| Wife | Maureen Pfeiffer |
| Profession | Professional Ice Hockey Player |
| Position | Left-Wing |
| Children | Zachary James, Payton Marie, Aubrey Ann |
| Net Worth | $14 million |
| Retirement | July 30, 2019 |
| Social Media | Not Available |
