Born in 1966, in Bracebridge, Ontario, Kris King’s journey from small-town roots to the highest levels of professional hockey is a testament to perseverance, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to community. Known for his gritty style of play and his deep compassion off the ice, Kris carved out a 14-season career in the National Hockey League (NHL), becoming one of the league’s most respected enforcers and community ambassadors.
Kris King’s hockey journey began at 5 years old in small northern Ontario town called Hornepayne, with a population of 800. When he was 9 years old, the family moved to the Muskokas, where he quickly stood out as a prolific scorer playing with the Gravenhurst Minor Hockey Association. During his time playing Junior C in Gravenhurst he led the league in scoring. His skill and competitive edge earned him a place with the Peterborough Petes’ of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), where he developed into a powerful physical presence on the ice – ultimately becoming the Petes’ all-time leader in penalty minutes. Despite his tough reputation, King’s role was always rooted in protecting teammates and leading by example. His time in Peterborough laid the foundation for a professional career built on grit, loyalty, and heart.
Drafted in the fourth round of the 1984 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals, Kris’ path to the NHL was anything but easy. He spent time in the minors before earning his place in the league, eventually playing for six NHL teams: the Detroit Red Wings, New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Chicago Blackhawks. Kris became known as a relentless checker, a tenacious fighter, and a dependable teammate. His role on the ice was clear — bring energy, protect his team, and lead with integrity.
Throughout his time in the NHL, King made a meaningful impact off the ice in every community he represented. During his time with the Winnipeg Jets, he was actively involved with five local charities, chaired the Manitoba Muscular Dystrophy Association, and served as Honorary Chairman of the Ronald McDonald House. He granted “Make A Wish” requests for children facing serious illness and co-hosted the 1993 Jerry Lewis Labour Day Telethon. He carried this spirit with him to New York, where he became the celebrity chairman for the APPLE Institute, a drug rehabilitation center, and was nominated for a Points of Light award for community service, presented by the President of the United States.
Kris’s leadership both on and off the ice was formally recognized in 1996 when he was awarded the NHL’s prestigious King Clancy Memorial Trophy. This honor is given annually to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities and makes significant humanitarian contributions to their community. King’s selection reflected not only his role as a respected teammate and captain, but also his deep and consistent commitment to charitable work throughout his career.
Kris retired in 2000 after playing 849 NHL games, scoring 66 goals and 85 assists with 2030 penalty minutes. After retiring from professional hockey, Kris transitioned into a leadership role within the NHL. He currently serves as Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations at the league’s central office in Toronto. In this high-pressure role, one of Kris’ key duties is to manage the NHL Situation Room, overseeing critical game decisions and maintaining the integrity of the sport. His deep hockey knowledge, attention to detail, and commitment to fairness have made him an invaluable asset to the league.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, King’s legacy is defined by his unwavering dedication to people. In 2017, he helped establish Camp FACES, a summer camp for families of Canada’s Emergency Services and Military personnel who lost loved ones in the line of duty or through suicide. Through the program Kris offered comfort, leadership, and hope to grieving families. Working with the Ontario Provincial Police, and the National Hockey League Alumni Association, Kris helped to develop a mental health speaking series, called Putting Stigma in the Penalty Box. This initiative was guided by the mandate of dispelling mental health stigma and offering support to those in policing and professional hockey.
Throughout his career, Kris maintained a strong connection to his hometown in the Muskokas. In 1985, he established Kris King’s Muskoka Summer Hockey School – a place young athletes could come for guidance, mentorship and skills development.
In 1997, when Kris signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he and his family moved to Aurora. While calling Aurora home, he supported countless local teams and organizations and never hesitated to step forward for a charitable cause. During that time, he and his wife Paula were co-chairs of the Ronald McDonald House. Kris was also heavily involved in the Aurora Tigers Minor Hockey Association as a coach and mentor.
Throughout his career and community service work, Kris has exemplified the values of teamwork, resilience, and empathy. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to hockey, we are honored to welcome Kris King as part of the 2025 class of inductees into the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame.
