Keith Ballard (born November 26, 1982 in Baudette, Minnesota) is a former American NHL ice hockey defenceman for the Minnesota Wild. He was picked by the Buffalo Sabres with the eleventh overall pick in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He played hockey in college for the University of Minnesota's Golden Gophers. Ballard has also played for the Phoenix Coyotes for 3 seasons and the Florida Panthers for 2 seasons before being traded to the Vancouver Canucks in 2010 during the 2010 NHL Entry draft for Michael Grabner, Steve Bernier, and Vancouver's first round pick and 25th overall selection in that draft. On July 3, 2013, he was placed on waivers and his contract was bought out by the Canucks. On July 4th, 2013, Ballard signed a two-year $3 million contract with the Minnesota Wild.