Chad Kilger
Chad Kilger (born November 27, 1976) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player who played as a left winger and centre in the National Hockey League (NHL).[1] Selected fourth overall by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft, Kilger began his junior career in the Central Junior Hockey League with the Cornwall Royals, where he earned the CJHL Top Prospect Award in 1992–93.[2][3] He then joined the Ontario Hockey League's Kingston Frontenacs for two seasons (1993–95), posting a standout 42 goals and 95 points in 65 games during his final junior year.[4][5] Over 13 NHL seasons from 1995 to 2008, the 6-foot-4, 224-pound left-shooting forward appeared in 714 games across seven franchises, including the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Chicago Blackhawks, Edmonton Oilers, Montreal Canadiens, and Toronto Maple Leafs, accumulating 107 goals, 111 assists, and 218 points.[6][7] His career highlights included scoring his first playoff goal for the Winnipeg Jets in the 1996 Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Detroit Red Wings.[8] Kilger also spent time in the American Hockey League, where he was named AHL Player of the Week on October 12, 1997.[2] Following his playing career, Kilger transitioned to coaching youth hockey, serving as an assistant coach for the Seaway Valley Rapids U14 AA team in the Hockey Eastern Ontario U14 AA league.[9] In 2018, he was inducted into the Cornwall Sports Hall of Fame for his contributions to the sport.[3]Early life
Family background
Chad Kilger was born on November 27, 1976, in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada.[2][10] He was raised in Cornwall by his father, Bob Kilger, a longtime public servant who served as a Liberal Member of Parliament for the riding of Stormont—Dundas from 1988 to 2004, including roles as Chief Government Whip and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons.[11][12] Bob Kilger later returned to local politics as mayor of Cornwall for two terms from 2006 to 2014.[13][14] Additionally, Bob Kilger's deep roots in hockey—having played junior hockey with the Oshawa Generals, refereed in the National Hockey League, and coached the Cornwall Royals to a Memorial Cup title in 1981—provided a strong familial influence on Chad's athletic development.[15][16]Introduction to hockey
Chad Kilger's introduction to organized hockey occurred in his hometown of Cornwall, Ontario, where he began playing in local minor hockey programs as a young child. Growing up in a community with a strong hockey tradition, Kilger participated in the Seaway Valley Minor Hockey Association, which provided foundational training and recreational play through house leagues and introductory skills development. These early experiences emphasized basic fundamentals like skating, puck handling, and teamwork in a supportive environment typical of small-town Canadian youth sports.[2] A significant milestone in Kilger's youth hockey journey came during the 1989-90 season when, at age 12, he represented the Cornwall Peewee team in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament, one of North America's premier minor hockey events for players under 13. Competing with the Seaway Valley-affiliated squad, Kilger gained exposure to higher-level competition against international teams, honing his on-ice instincts in a fast-paced, tournament-style format that drew thousands of spectators and scouts. This event highlighted his emerging talent within Cornwall's minor hockey scene and served as an early showcase for his abilities.[17] Kilger's physical attributes began to stand out during these formative years, as his above-average height and sturdy build—later measured at 6 feet 4 inches and 224 pounds in his professional career—gave him an edge in battles along the boards and net-front play even as a youth. Supported by his family, including his father Bob Kilger, a prominent local politician who encouraged athletic pursuits, he transitioned from casual recreational hockey to more structured competitive youth play, preparing him for advanced levels without formal junior involvement yet. This progression through local associations built his resilience and passion for the sport in Cornwall's vibrant hockey community.[2]Junior career
Kingston Frontenacs
Chad Kilger joined the Kingston Frontenacs after being selected 15th overall in the first round of the 1993 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection.[2] He played two seasons with the team, from 1993 to 1995, establishing himself as a key contributor on the roster. In his rookie 1993–94 season, Kilger appeared in 66 regular-season games, recording 17 goals and 35 assists for 52 points, while accumulating just 23 penalty minutes. The following year, in 1994–95, he showed marked improvement, skating in 65 games and tallying 42 goals along with 53 assists for 95 points and 95 penalty minutes, helping the Frontenacs reach the OHL playoffs both seasons. Over his junior tenure with Kingston, Kilger amassed 131 games played, 59 goals, 88 assists, and 147 points.[2][10] As a power forward, Kilger leveraged his imposing 6-foot-3 frame and physical presence to dominate along the boards and in front of the net, combining toughness with emerging offensive skills.[18] Scouting reports highlighted his strong playmaking from the corners, effective net-front presence, and ability to score through physical battles, marking him as a tough, skilled winger capable of contributing goals.[19] His role extended to standout playoff performances, including seven goals in six games during the 1993–94 postseason and five goals in six games the next year, demonstrating his clutch scoring ability.[10] Although the Frontenacs did not capture any major team awards during his time, Kilger's contributions helped solidify the team's competitive edge in the Eastern Conference. Kilger's physical growth was evident in his increased penalty minutes and on-ice intensity from his first to second season, reflecting maturation into a more robust competitor at age 17–18.[2] He refined his skills significantly, boosting his goal production nearly threefold and enhancing his playmaking, which transitioned him from a solid rookie to a top offensive threat on the team. This development, coupled with his size, speed, and scoring prowess, drew considerable attention from NHL scouts, positioning him as an emerging prospect with high potential.[18]1995 NHL Entry Draft
Chad Kilger's strong performance in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the Kingston Frontenacs, where he tallied 42 goals and 53 assists in 65 games during the 1994–95 season, positioned him as one of the top prospects entering the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.[20] Pre-draft scouting reports praised Kilger for his imposing physical presence at 6 feet 4 inches and 224 pounds, combined with impressive skating ability for his size, marking him as a promising left winger with power-forward potential.[6] Rated third overall among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau, Kilger was viewed as a safe, high-upside selection capable of contributing immediately with his blend of size, speed, and scoring touch.[18] In the draft held on July 8, 1995, in Edmonton, Alberta, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim selected Kilger fourth overall, making him the first forward chosen after the top three picks—all defensemen: Bryan Berard (1st, Ottawa Senators), Wade Redden (2nd, New York Islanders), and Aki Berg (3rd, Los Angeles Kings).[21] Following the draft, Kilger signed a three-year entry-level contract worth $2.55 million with the Mighty Ducks on October 6, 1995, after a standout preseason that showcased his readiness for professional hockey.[22] The deal included performance incentives, such as an additional $200,000 for winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year and $15,000 for reaching 20 goals or 60 points in a season, reflecting the organization's high expectations for his seamless transition to the league as a key young contributor.[22] Scouts and team officials anticipated Kilger's size and skating would allow him to adapt quickly, potentially anchoring the Ducks' top-six forward group in the coming years.[23]Professional career
Early NHL teams (1995–1999)
Chad Kilger made his NHL debut with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks during the 1995–96 season, shortly after being selected fourth overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft. As a rookie, he appeared in 45 games for Anaheim, recording 5 goals and 7 assists for 12 points while accumulating 22 penalty minutes.[10] His early performance reflected the challenges of transitioning from junior hockey, where he had excelled offensively with the Kingston Frontenacs, to the professional level's increased physical demands.[2] On February 7, 1996, Kilger was traded by Anaheim to the Winnipeg Jets along with defenseman Oleg Tverdovsky and a third-round pick in the 1996 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Teemu Selänne, Marc Chouinard, and a fourth-round pick.[2] He played the remainder of the season with Winnipeg, suiting up for 29 regular-season games and posting 2 goals and 3 assists for 5 points, along with 12 penalty minutes; he also appeared in 4 playoff games, scoring 1 goal.[10] Following the Jets' relocation to become the Phoenix Coyotes for the 1996–97 season, Kilger split time between the NHL and the American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons, playing 24 games for Phoenix (4 goals, 3 assists, 7 points, 13 PIM) and 52 regular-season games in the AHL (17 goals, 28 assists, 45 points, 36 PIM), plus playoff action.[2] This assignment to the minors highlighted his ongoing adaptation to the NHL's pace and physicality, as he focused on development amid limited top-level ice time.[10] Kilger's 1997–98 season began with Phoenix, where he played 10 games (0 goals, 1 assist, 4 PIM), before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks on March 4, 1998, along with Jayson More in exchange for Keith Carney and Jim Cummins.[24] With Chicago, he contributed in 22 games (3 goals, 8 assists, 11 points, 6 PIM), while also spending time in the AHL with Springfield (35 games, 14 goals, 14 assists, 28 points, 33 PIM).[10] The trade marked another move in his early career, underscoring the instability young players often faced as teams evaluated their potential. In the 1998–99 season, Kilger established himself more firmly with Chicago, playing 64 games and achieving career highs at that point with 14 goals, 11 assists, and 25 points, alongside 30 penalty minutes.[2] His penalty minutes across these seasons, totaling around 50–60 annually when combining NHL and AHL play, reflected efforts to adjust to the league's physical style without excessive infractions.[10] Late in the season, on March 20, 1999, he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers as part of a multi-player deal.[24]Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens (1999–2004)
In March 1999, Chad Kilger was traded from the Chicago Blackhawks to the Edmonton Oilers as part of a multi-player deal that also sent Daniel Cleary, Ethan Moreau, and Christian Laflamme to Edmonton in exchange for Boris Mironov, Dean McAmmond, and Jonas Elofsson.[24] During the 1999–2000 and 2000–2001 seasons with the Oilers, Kilger served primarily as a depth forward, appearing in 74 regular-season games and contributing modestly with 12 points (8 goals, 4 assists) while accumulating 35 penalty minutes, reflecting his role in providing physical support on the bottom lines.[6] His limited ice time, averaging under 10 minutes per game, underscored his position as a supportive player amid the Oilers' push for playoff contention.[1] Kilger's tenure with Edmonton extended into the 2000 playoffs, where he dressed for three games in the first-round series against the Dallas Stars, registering no points but offering physical presence in a sweep loss. He also appeared in 4 playoff games with Edmonton in 1999, recording no points and 4 penalty minutes.[6] On December 18, 2000, midway through the 2000–2001 season, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens for center Sergei Zholtok, marking another step in his career stabilization.[2] With Montreal from 2001 to 2004, Kilger's production improved noticeably, as he posted 68 points (28 goals, 40 assists) in 214 regular-season games, including a career-best 25 points in just 43 games during the remainder of the 2000–2001 season, while his penalty minutes rose to an average of about 24 per full season, highlighting his evolving role as a gritty, two-way forward capable of physical engagement. Injuries limited him to 36 games and 4 points with Montreal during the 2003–04 season.[6] In Montreal, Kilger contributed to two playoff appearances, including the 2002 postseason where the Canadiens upset the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes; he played all 12 games, recording 1 assist and 9 penalty minutes, often tasked with shutdown duties against top opponents.[6] Overall, his time with the Canadiens solidified his reputation for reliable physical play, leveraging his 6-foot-4 frame to deliver hits and protect teammates in competitive matchups.[1]Toronto Maple Leafs (2004–2008)
Chad Kilger was acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 9, 2004, when the team claimed him off waivers from the Montreal Canadiens.[25] His prior experience with Montreal facilitated a smooth transition to Toronto, where he joined a competitive roster late in the 2003–04 season.[26] In his first five games with the Maple Leafs, Kilger recorded one goal and one assist while posting a +2 rating. He appeared in 13 playoff games for Toronto in 2004, recording 2 goals and 1 assist.[1] The 2004–05 NHL lockout interrupted Kilger's tenure, resulting in no games played that season, but he returned as a key bottom-six forward for the subsequent campaigns through 2007–08.[6] Kilger primarily served as a checking-line winger, often paired with enforcers like Tie Domi, contributing physicality and forechecking pressure on the third line.[27] His role extended to penalty killing, where he logged significant short-handed ice time, helping stabilize Toronto's defensive units despite the team's league-worst 77 power-play goals allowed in 2007–08.[28] Over the four post-lockout seasons, Kilger amassed 41 goals and 32 assists in 214 games, with 139 penalty minutes reflecting his enforcer-like presence, including 234 hits in 2007–08 alone.[1][6] Key contributions included multi-goal performances, such as his two goals in a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on October 5, 2006, which helped Toronto rebound early in the season.[29] Another highlight came on January 15, 2008, when Kilger scored to give the Maple Leafs a 2-1 lead in a 5-4 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes.[30] These efforts underscored his reliability in high-pressure situations, even as the team navigated roster adjustments. During Kilger's time in Toronto, the Maple Leafs missed the playoffs in 2006, 2007, and 2008, marking the start of a seven-year postseason drought following their 2004 success.[31] The introduction of the salary cap after the lockout forced significant organizational changes, including payroll reductions of over one-third and the departure of key veterans, which impacted team depth under general manager John Ferguson Jr.[32] Coaching transitions from Pat Quinn to Paul Maurice in 2006 further reflected efforts to address defensive inconsistencies amid these shifts.[33]Retirement
Trade to Florida Panthers
On February 26, 2008, during the NHL trade deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs traded left winger Chad Kilger to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a third-round draft pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.[34] The move was one of several roster adjustments by Toronto general manager Cliff Fletcher, who was focused on acquiring future assets for a non-contending team by dealing established veterans like Kilger, who had served as a reliable depth forward during his tenure with the Leafs.[35] The Panthers, aiming to strengthen their forward lines amid injuries—including a severe throat laceration to Richard Zednik—targeted Kilger for his physical presence, skating ability, and veteran experience to add grit and stability to their top-six forwards.[34] At 31 years old, Kilger was seen as a straightforward fit to contribute immediately in Florida's push for a playoff spot, bringing 10 goals and 7 assists from 53 games that season with Toronto.[36] Following the trade, Kilger briefly met with Panthers head coach and general manager Jacques Martin but soon requested a leave of absence, which was granted on February 27 due to personal reasons; he subsequently flew back to Toronto and sat out Florida's game against the Maple Leafs that evening.[36] This immediate reluctance to relocate highlighted personal challenges influencing his transition, though the team expressed uncertainty about his return timeline at the time.[36]Suspension and retirement decision
Following his trade to the Florida Panthers in February 2008, Chad Kilger requested a leave of absence for personal reasons shortly after arriving in Florida, which the team granted. However, he failed to return by the predetermined date and did not report to the Panthers' training camp in the fall of 2008 for the 2008–09 season. The Panthers suspended him indefinitely without pay on March 5, 2008, for failing to report, a penalty that extended through the remainder of his contract and resulted in him forfeiting the remainder of his 2007–08 salary and his full $700,000 salary for 2008–09.[37][26] The suspension stemmed from ongoing personal challenges, including anxiety issues that his agent indicated could cause him to miss the rest of the 2007–08 regular season. Kilger never played a game for the Panthers and remained away from the organization throughout the 2008–09 campaign, effectively ending his NHL career while still under contract.[38] On July 9, 2009, after his contract expired without renewal, Kilger officially announced his retirement from professional hockey at age 32. He concluded his 12-year NHL tenure with 107 goals, 111 assists, and 218 points in 714 games, having last appeared on the ice with the Maple Leafs prior to the trade.[39]Playing style and achievements
Hardest shot record
During the Toronto Maple Leafs' annual skills competition on December 3, 2006, held at the Air Canada Centre prior to a game against the Montreal Canadiens, Chad Kilger recorded a slapshot clocked at 106.6 miles per hour (mph), surpassing Al Iafrate's previous NHL record of 105.2 mph set at the 1993 All-Star Skills Competition.[40] The event featured various challenges among Maple Leafs players, including fastest skater, shooting accuracy, and breakaway shootout, with Kilger also winning the fastest skater portion while defenceman Pavel Kubina took the accuracy competition and forward Alex Steen excelled in the breakaway challenge.[41] This achievement, while celebrated as a new benchmark for shot velocity, remained unofficial as it occurred in a team-specific intrasquad event rather than the NHL's formal All-Star Weekend hardest shot contest, which features league-wide participants.[40] The record stood for several years until defenceman Sheldon Souray edged it with a 106.7 mph shot in a similar Edmonton Oilers skills competition in 2009.[42] Kilger's powerful slapshot underscored his reputation as a robust power forward, whose physical style—honed over a decade in the NHL—emphasized forceful play along the boards and in front of the net.[41] This moment highlighted his ability to generate elite puck speed, contributing to his image as one of the league's stronger shooters during his tenure with Toronto.[40]Career highlights
Early in his NHL tenure, Kilger scored his first playoff goal for the Winnipeg Jets in the 1996 Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Detroit Red Wings.[8] He contributed to playoff runs with the Edmonton Oilers in 2001, where he appeared in four games during their Western Conference Quarterfinals series against the Dallas Stars. He later played a more significant postseason role with the Montreal Canadiens in 2002, suiting up for 12 games as the team advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals before falling to the Carolina Hurricanes. In 2004, after being traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Kilger participated in 12 playoff games, helping the team advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals before losing to the Philadelphia Flyers. In the American Hockey League, Kilger was named Player of the Week on October 12, 1997.[2] Known for his physical presence on the ice, Kilger often filled an enforcer role, engaging in notable fights that protected teammates and energized his squads, including a memorable 2003 bout against Darcy Tucker of the Maple Leafs while with Montreal. His aggressive style, evidenced by over 20 documented fights across his career, complemented his scoring touch and made him a reliable middle-six forward on multiple teams.[43] Despite frequent trades—spanning seven NHL franchises over 13 seasons from 1995 to 2008—Kilger demonstrated remarkable longevity, adapting to roles on rebuilding and contending teams alike.Personal life
Immediate family
Chad Kilger is married to Jana Kilger.[44][45] The couple has three children: daughters Kennady and Lydia, and son Kaden.[46] Kilger and his family reside in Cornwall, Ontario, where all three children were born during off-seasons.[26] The family maintains a low public profile, with limited details shared beyond occasional mentions in local community and charitable contexts.[47]Post-retirement career
Following his abrupt retirement from professional hockey in 2009, Chad Kilger transitioned to a career in public service as a firefighter with the City of Cornwall Fire Department in his hometown of Cornwall, Ontario.[48] His hiring drew controversy due to his father, Bob Kilger, serving as mayor of Cornwall at the time, leading to allegations of nepotism and a 2013 conflict-of-interest case against the deputy fire chief involved in the hiring process.[49][50] He began this role shortly after leaving the NHL, drawn to the stability and community focus of the position.[51] Kilger's tenure with the fire department has been longstanding, with public records confirming his continued employment as a firefighter into 2024, where he earned an annual salary of $114,091.09.[52] This role has allowed him to serve the community he grew up in, contributing to emergency response efforts in eastern Ontario. In parallel with his firefighting duties, Kilger has stayed connected to hockey through youth coaching in the Cornwall area. He was recognized as a minor hockey coach in 2013, leveraging his NHL experience to mentor young players.[53] Additionally, he served as an assistant coach for the Seaway Valley Rapids U14 AA team in the HEO U14 AA league during the 2018–2019 season.[9] These volunteer efforts reflect his ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of hockey talent in his local community.Career statistics
NHL regular season and playoffs
Chad Kilger appeared in 714 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season games across 12 seasons from 1995–96 to 2007–08, recording 107 goals, 111 assists, 218 points, 363 penalty minutes, and a plus/minus rating of -44.[6] The 2004–05 season was lost to an NHL lockout, during which no games were played league-wide.[6] His career production reflected a physical, checking forward role, with consistent but modest offensive output, peaking at 28 points in both the 2005–06 and 2006–07 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs.[6] The following table summarizes his regular season statistics by season and team:| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–96 | Mighty Ducks of Anaheim | 45 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 22 | -2 |
| 1995–96 | Winnipeg Jets | 29 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 12 | -2 |
| 1996–97 | Phoenix Coyotes | 24 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 13 | -5 |
| 1997–98 | Phoenix Coyotes | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -2 |
| 1997–98 | Chicago Blackhawks | 22 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 6 | 2 |
| 1998–99 | Chicago Blackhawks | 64 | 14 | 11 | 25 | 30 | -1 |
| 1998–99 | Edmonton Oilers | 13 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -3 |
| 1999–00 | Edmonton Oilers | 40 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 18 | -6 |
| 2000–01 | Edmonton Oilers | 34 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 17 | -7 |
| 2000–01 | Montréal Canadiens | 43 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 34 | -1 |
| 2001–02 | Montréal Canadiens | 75 | 8 | 15 | 23 | 27 | -7 |
| 2002–03 | Montréal Canadiens | 60 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 21 | -4 |
| 2003–04 | Montréal Canadiens | 36 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 2 |
| 2003–04 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 2005–06 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 79 | 17 | 11 | 28 | 63 | -6 |
| 2006–07 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 82 | 14 | 14 | 28 | 58 | -5 |
| 2007–08 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 53 | 10 | 7 | 17 | 18 | 1 |
| Total | 714 | 107 | 111 | 218 | 363 | -44 |
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–96 | Winnipeg Jets | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998–99 | Edmonton Oilers | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | -2 |
| 1999–00 | Edmonton Oilers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2001–02 | Montréal Canadiens | 12 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 1 |
| 2003–04 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 13 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 36 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 13 | -1 |
AHL regular season and playoffs
Kilger appeared in 96 American Hockey League (AHL) regular season games over four seasons, recording 36 goals, 44 assists, 80 points, and 73 penalty minutes.[10] He also played 16 playoff games, contributing 5 goals, 7 assists, 12 points, and 56 penalty minutes. The following table summarizes his regular season statistics by season and team:| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | Springfield Falcons | 52 | 17 | 28 | 45 | 36 |
| 1997–98 | Springfield Falcons | 35 | 14 | 14 | 28 | 33 |
| 1999–00 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 7 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| 2003–04 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 96 | 36 | 44 | 80 | 73 |
| Season | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996–97 | Springfield Falcons | 16 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 56 |
| Total | 16 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 56 |
Junior league totals
Chad Kilger's junior hockey career spanned three seasons across two leagues, beginning in the Central Junior Hockey League (CJHL) before transitioning to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), Canada's premier major junior circuit. In the 1992–93 season with the Cornwall Colts of the CJHL, a Tier II junior league, he appeared in 55 regular-season games, scoring 30 goals and adding 36 assists for 66 points, while accumulating 26 penalty minutes. Including six playoff games where he recorded no points, his CJHL totals were 61 games played, 30 goals, 36 assists, 66 points, and 26 penalty minutes.[2] Kilger spent the subsequent two seasons (1993–94 and 1994–95) with the Kingston Frontenacs of the OHL, where he established himself as a top scorer and was selected fourth overall in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim following his sophomore year. Across 131 regular-season games, he amassed 59 goals, 88 assists, 147 points, and 118 penalty minutes. In 12 playoff contests over those two postseasons, Kilger contributed 12 goals, 4 assists, 16 points, and 18 penalty minutes. His combined OHL totals thus reached 143 games played, 71 goals, 92 assists, 163 points, and 136 penalty minutes.[2] The following table summarizes Kilger's regular-season junior statistics:| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992–93 | Cornwall Colts | CJHL | 55 | 30 | 36 | 66 | 26 |
| 1993–94 | Kingston Frontenacs | OHL | 66 | 17 | 35 | 52 | 23 |
| 1994–95 | Kingston Frontenacs | OHL | 65 | 42 | 53 | 95 | 95 |
| OHL Total | 131 | 59 | 88 | 147 | 118 |