Topic: Kurt Sauer

Kurt Sauer (born January 16, 1981 in St. Cloud, Minnesota) is a professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Phoenix Coyotes in the National Hockey League. He is the older brother of Michael Sauer, also a defenseman who is a prospect in the New York Rangers organization. His older brother, Kent Sauer, was a draftee of the Nashville Predators. He was forced to retire due to knee problems. His oldest brother Craig Sauer played college football at the University of Minnesota and played in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings until a foot injury forced him into retirement. Craig was on the Atlanta Falcons team that played in the Super Bowl. His father Curt played professional baseball in the Minnesota Twins system.

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. 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 debut NHL year in 2003, with Anaheim, he made it to the Stanley Cup finals. 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 4 1/2 years with the Avalanche before leaving as a free agent.