The Blackhawks will honor two-time Stanley Cup champion Kris Versteeg with a “One More Shift” pregame ceremony Sunday at the United Center.
The Blackhawks’ “One More Shift” program is an ode to former players that allows fans to recognize them one more time as they skate on the United Center ice. Versteeg will take the ice during the national anthem after starting lineups are announced. In-arena elements will also feature highlights of his career with the Blackhawks.
For Sunday night’s game, Atrium doors will open at 2:30 p.m. with gates to the arena to follow at 4:30 p.m. Versteeg will participate in a live Q&A session moderated by Patrick Sharp at about 5 p.m. in the Atrium.
Versteeg scored 164 points (68 goals, 96 assists) in 294 regular-season games in five seasons (2007-10, 2013-15) with the Blackhawks. He helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2010 and 2015, and recorded 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) in 66 playoff games with Chicago.
Versteeg had one assist in six AHL games this season as the team captain of the Rockford IceHogs. He mutually agreed to terminate his AHL contract in November due to health reasons and taking away playing time from the team’s young prospects. He’s now playing with HK Nitra in Slovakia with his younger brother Mitch in hopes of suiting up for Canada at the Spengler Cup later this month in Switzerland.
Sunday’s game is one of three remaining nights commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 2010 Stanley Cup championship. There will one more “One More Shift” program Jan. 7. The fifth and final anniversary night will be March 19, which will feature multiple members of the 2010 team.
Anniversary nights
Oct. 18 vs. Blue Jackets: Bobblehead (Marian Hossa); One More Shift (Bolland)
Nov. 21 vs. Lightning: Bobblehead (Brent Seabrook); One More Shift (Campbell)
Dec. 15 vs. Wild: Bobblehead (Duncan Keith); One More Shift (Versteeg)
Jan. 7 vs. Flames: Bobblehead (Jonathan Toews); One More Shift (TBA)
March 19 vs. Wild: Replica Stanley Cup ring
*Giveaways for first 10,000 fans