[irbefan4life]

Here is the first of three new pieces we have been excitedly waiting for. But before we get to its story, don't forget to "LIKE" Bruce C. Goaltending Museum on Facebook and "FOLLOW" us on Twitter if you love all things goaltending and all things memorabilia!

Born on April 4, 1975, in Toronto, Ontario, and of Barbadian bloodlines, Kevin Weekes was drafted 41st overall by the Florida Panthers in 1993, right after his first season of major junior with the Owen Sound Platers of the OHL. Weekes played more than competently for another season with Owen Sound before closing out his junior career with the Ottawa 67s in 1994-95. Weekes transitioned to the pro ranks the following season, beginning with the Carolina Monarchs of the AHL. There, he played for two years as the starter before becoming a member of the Fort Wayne Komets of the IHL in 1997-98. But, like all of the stories in my collection, Weekes was given his chance. On October 16, 1997, Weekes replaced John Vanbiesbrouck in net for the Panthers and he stopped all four shots he faced against the Dallas Stars. He received his first NHL start a week later, stopping 30 of 32 in a 2-2 tie against Ottawa. Weekes ended up appearing in 11 games with the Panthers that year before being acquired by the Vancouver Canucks in 1999 in the deal that saw Pavel Bure go to Florida. By his second season with Vancouver, he had established himself as the full-time starter on the team before being traded to the Islanders in December of 1999. With New York, Weekes appeared in 36 games, showing that he could handle the workload of a starting goaltender. The following season, Weekes appeared in 61 games for Tampa Bay before losing the starting role to Nikolai Khabibulin the following year and thus being traded to Carolina. In Carolina, he formed a strong tandem with Arturs Irbe, leading the team together to their first ever Stanley Cup Final appearance. By the next season, Weekes had overtaken Archie as the team's starter and in 2003-04, Weekes established career highs in games (66), wins (23), shutouts (6), and GAA (2.33). After the conclusion of the 2004-05 lockout, Weekes became a member of the New York Rangers, appearing in 46 games with them over two seasons as he mentored, NHL rookie, Henrik Lundqvist. He then joined the New Jersey Devils to backup Martin Brodeur and Weekes played with them for two seasons before retiring from play. He is currently a very well known hockey analyst.

In his NHL career, Weekes appeared in 348 games, posting a 105-163-33-6 record, with 3 assists, 19 shutouts, a 2.88GAA, and a 0.903% save average. Additionally, Weekes appeared in 9 playoff games, going 3-3 with two shutouts, a 1.93GAA, and a 0.927% save average.

What you are looking at right now is a 2005-06 season game used Sherwood Cerberus blocker, photomatched in continuous game usage from October 20 to November 24, though possibly more as it is loaded with wear. A stunning piece of memorabilia of one of the most stylish goalies to hit the ice.

Acquired From: Mike Hogan of Ice Violence

Dates of Game Use:
October 20, 2005 v NY Islanders (16-21, 5-4L)
November 3, 2005 v New Jersey (30-32, 4-2W)
November 5, 2005 v New Jersey (23-25, 3-2W)
November 7, 2005 v Pittsburgh (21-24, 3-2L)
November 12, 2005 v Pittsburgh (23-24, 6-1W)
November 15, 2005 v Toronto (22-24, 2-1L)
November 19, 2005 v Carolina (28-31, 4-3W)
November 22, 2005 v Buffalo (37-39, 3-2W)
November 24, 2005 v Atlanta (16-19, 6-3W)

Photomatched: Yes

[alstott9adams]

Great goalie