Photo credit: Duncan Keith Twitter

By Regan Bartel

Keith heads star studded induction class

Former Rockets d-man enters BC Hockey HOF

Feb 28, 2023 | 1:55 PM

Duncan Keith has been retired from the NHL for less than one year.

He made it official last July after playing in over 1,000 games, winning three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks.

That hasn’t stopped the BC Hockey Hall of Fame from adding him to the induction class for 2023.

The now 39-year-old, who played one season with the Kelowna Rockets in 2002-2003, will be added during a ceremony this summer in Penticton.

“It is certainly special to be inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame”, Keith said in a media conference this morning. “It is even more special knowing that my good friend and teammate Brent Seabrook is going with me.”

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Seabrook, who is also retired and living in Kelowna, played over one thousand NHL games, winning three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks and representing Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics.

“It feels like it was yesterday we were driving to the arena in Chicago”, Keith continued. “We would be listening to our music, driving through the streets of Chicago. Time flies pretty quick.”

Playing at the University of Michigan after being drafted in the second round by the Blackhawks in the 2002 NHL Draft, Keith left part way through his second year to join the Rockets after the Christmas break.

In his short stint in the WHL, Keith would put up 46 points in 37 regular season games, including 11 goals, before helping the Rockets win a WHL championship with a six game series win over the Red Deer Rebels.

Born in Winnipeg, but raised in the Okanagan, Keith could collect 14 points in 19 WHL playoff games before the teams season ended with a 2-1 loss to Hull in the semi-finals at the 2003 Memorial Cup in Quebec City.

“I was fortunate to play on a lot of great teams with a lot of great teammates over the years in Chicago and Edmonton”, Keith added. “It is an honour to be inducted. I couldn’t be more proud, and I want to thank my parents and family for all the support over the years, and to my son Colton for all the inspiration he brings to me, even to this day.”

Keith’s image was added several years ago at Prospera Place, when he was included in the Rockets Wall of Recognition for Outstanding Achievement.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist, Norris Trophy winner as the NHL’s Top Defenseman and Conn Smythe Trophy recipient as NHL Playoff MVP, Keith will be inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame on July 21st at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

Other inductees include, the 2007 Memorial Cup winning Vancouver Giants, Victoria official Lonnie Cameron and Ronnie Paterson in the builders category.