Kris Letang
A dynamic Canadian defenseman whose elite skating and offensive genius have been the engine of the Pittsburgh Penguins' championship era.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Canadian ice hockey player·Birthday: April 24·Millennials
Biography
Kris Letang's hockey identity is built on breathtaking speed and audacious skill, a rarity for an NHL defenseman. Drafted by Pittsburgh in 2005, his arrival coincided with the dawn of the Sidney Crosby era, and Letang quickly became its indispensable quarterback on the blue line. His game is a blur of transition offense; he can retrieve a puck in his own end and, in a few strides, turn it into a scoring chance at the other. This offensive output—he is one of only a handful of defensemen to record a point-per-game season—has often overshadowed his defensive tenacity, where he uses his skating to close gaps and break up plays. His career has been a narrative of resilience, marked by significant health challenges including a stroke in 2014 and multiple serious injuries. Each time, he has returned not just to play, but to dominate. As a central figure in Pittsburgh's core, he has hoisted the Stanley Cup three times, his name etched on the Conn Smythe ballot in 2016 as playoff MVP. Letang's legacy is that of a modern defenseman who reshaped the position's possibilities through sheer velocity and will.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Kris was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kris Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Kris's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Stanley Cup three times with the Pittsburgh Penguins (2009, 2016, 2017).
- Recorded a career-high 68 points in the 2022-23 season, demonstrating elite production into his mid-30s.
- Named a Norris Trophy finalist as the league's best defenseman for the 2012-13 season.
- Represented the Pittsburgh Penguins in multiple NHL All-Star Games.
- Holds numerous Penguins franchise records for defensemen, including most career points and assists.
Did You Know?
He is fluent in French, English, and Russian, the latter learned from former teammate Evgeni Malkin.
Letang was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect (atrial septal defect) which was repaired after his 2014 stroke.
He is an avid cyclist and often uses long-distance biking as part of his intense summer training regimen.
His son, Alex, was born during the Penguins' 2017 playoff run, and Letang missed a game to be present for the birth.
“My job is to move the puck and join the rush to create offense.”
