Kurt Sauer | |||
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Born |
St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA |
January 16, 1981 ||
Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) | ||
Weight | 222 lb (101 kg; 15 st 12 lb) | ||
Position | Defense | ||
Shot | Right | ||
Played for |
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim Colorado Avalanche Phoenix Coyotes |
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NHL Draft | 88th overall, 2000 Colorado Avalanche |
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Playing career | 2002–2010 |
Kurt Christopher Sauer (born January 16, 1981) is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played seven seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Colorado Avalanche, and Phoenix Coyotes. Sauer was born in St. Cloud, Minnesota, but grew up in Sartell, Minnesota.
Sauer was drafted 88th overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Colorado Avalanche. Sauer remained unsigned and continued to play for his junior team the Spokane Chiefs. Unable to agree to a contract with the Avalanche, in June 2002, Sauer was signed by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim on the influence of new coach Mike Babcock, who coached Sauer at the Spokane Chiefs.
In Sauer's first professional season in 2002–03 he made the jump to the NHL with Anaheim and was amongst the league leaders for worst Plus/Minus. The following year on February 21, 2004, Sauer was traded to the team that drafted him, the Colorado Avalanche, for Martin Skoula. Sauer spent the next 4½ years with the Avalanche used as one of their primary shut down defenseman when not hampered by injury before leaving as a free agent.
On July 1, 2008, Sauer signed a four-year free agent deal with the Phoenix Coyotes worth an average of $1.75 million per year. In his first season with the Coyotes in 2008–09, Sauer played his most regular season games since his rookie year with 68 games for 7 points.