Keith Aucoin

Playing career

He was raised in Waltham and then Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and attended Chelmsford High School. Aucoin spent four seasons with Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont, before turning pro in 2001. Aucoin made his NHL debut during the 2005–06 NHL season with the Carolina Hurricanes. It was at the end of this season that he was a member of the "Black Aces," a group of players kept on the roster as healthy scratches for the Hurricanes' playoff run that ended with the Hurricanes being crowned Stanley Cup champions. Aucoin did not have his name added to the cup, as he did not play in any of the playoff games, but can be seen on the ice during the celebration and did receive a Championship Ring. He can be seen in numerous images from the locker room, including one that included Matt Cullen, Craig Kowalski, Erik Cole, Aucoin, and David Gove. He would go on to play 53 regular season games for the Hurricanes over three seasons, scoring 5 goals and 15 points.

On July 3, 2008, Aucoin signed with the Washington Capitals. After attending the Capitals training camp for the 2008–09 season, the Capitals sent Aucoin to their AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears. Aucoin's presence with Hershey was immediately felt as he won the Reebok Player of the Week honors on 12 October 2008, and then the AHL Player of the Month for October 2008. In his first 20 games of 2008 he scored 8 goals with 21 assists. In December 2008, Aucoin was called up to the NHL with the Capitals, playing in 12 games, scoring 2 goals and assisting on 4. He was released back to the AHL Hershey Bears for the Playoffs where he won the Calder Cup in six games versus the Manitoba Moose.

During the 2009–10 season, Aucoin was re-signed to a two-year contract extension on March 8, 2010. In helping the Bears capture a second consecutive Calder Cup, he was awarded the Les Cunningham Award, as the league MVP.

For the 2011–12 season, Aucoin made the Capitals opening night roster due to injuries of other forwards. He played in 27 games for 11 points over the course of the season and was a regular in the playoffs, signifiying his most time spent in the NHL since 2008.

On July 21, 2012, Keith signed a one-year two-way deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. With the intention to bolster the offense of Maple Leafs affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, Aucoin was directly assigned to the AHL to start the 2012–13 season. After the resolution of the NHL lockout, Aucoin was recalled to the Maple Leafs training camp. On reassignment to the Marlies he was claimed off waivers from the New York Islanders on January 17, 2013. Despite the shortened season, Aucoin played his first full season in the NHL. In 41 games he produced 6 goals and 12 points in a checking line role, in helping the Islanders return to the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

On July 5, 2013, Keith signed as a free agent to a one-year deal with the St. Louis Blues organization. Aucoin's contract with the Blues was not renewed at the end of the season.

On June 13, 2014, after failing to secure a tryout with any other NHL team, Aucoin signed a two-year deal with Swiss club, HC Ambrì-Piotta of the National League A. Aucoin enjoyed a successful debut season in Europe with Piotta, contributing with 31 points in 41 regular season games. Unable to progress to the playoffs, Aucoin left Switzerland after one season, to sign a one-year contract in Germany with EHC München of the DEL on June 19, 2015.

Family

Keith's younger brother, Phil Aucoin (born 1981), also played professional ice hockey.

Awards