Hockey players eager to meet Keith

FORT FRANCES—One of Canada’s brightest young defenceman came back to the town where he got his hockey start—and certainly showed he hasn’t forgotten where he came from.
Chicago Blackhawks’ star Duncan Keith was given a day in his honour on Monday, with the event featuring presentations, an autograph session, and barbecue from 5-7:30 p.m.
Hundreds of people—many of which were young, aspiring hockey players from the community—lined up at the Memorial Sports Centre to get autographs at the rink where a young Keith began developing the skills that landed him at the NHL all-star game this past season.
The 25-year-old was presented with two murals to remember his career to date.
One had “Dreams do come true” written over photos of Keith at different stages of his hockey journey while the other featured a collage of photos from his early days in Fort Frances Minor Hockey up to his current spot with the Blackhawks.
A showcase featuring one of Keith’s NHL jerseys also was unveiled, which now will hang in the arena’s front foyer.
Keith gave back to the community, as well, presenting trivia and draw winners with his jersey, some game-used sticks, and other Hawks’ memorabilia.
He also presented a $5,000 cheque to the minor hockey program.
Keith then signed autographs and posed for pictures for more than two hours—with the only notable absence in the photos being one of his front teeth.
“I lost my front tooth right near the end of the year in practice,” Keith recalled. “I have a fake one, but the only reason I’m not wearing it is because it doesn’t fit too well and I’d have a tough time talking.
“What can you do when a high stick gets you?”
Afterwards, Keith reflected on the journey he’s made to achieve his dream of playing in the NHL.
“The funny part about hockey is you never really grow up, and it just feels like my old PeeWee team back in the day,” he enthused.
“You meet so many interesting people in the game and it puts everything into perspective; that hard work really does pay off and I’m living a dream right now.”
It doesn’t hurt that his Blackhawks’ team is packed with future stars, with the likes of Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews developing alongside him.
“Things definitely started to turn around last season,” Keith said, referring to last year’s injury-plagued squad that still managed to improve on the previous season by 17 points.
“Ownership and management have done a real good job of helping turn this team around in a short time, and I think we’ve made some great picks in the draft and I think the whole organization is happy right now,” Keith added.
“We know we aren’t quite where we want to be yet, but we are definitely on the right track.”
Chicago also went out and signed free agent defenceman Brian Campbell to a hefty contract to help out on the back end, which may or may not change Keith’s role on the blueline.
“We need him on the ice a lot, too, and that’s not for me to worry about things like that,” Keith reasoned. “I just go into a new season every year with the same philosophy, and that’s just about working hard and earning my ice time, and the rest will take care of itself.”
Keith also is in a unique situation with NHL legend Denis Savard behind the bench as his head coach.
“He’s a guy who’s always upbeat and very positive; one of the most positive coaches I’ve ever played for,” Keith stressed.
“[It’s] nice coming to the rink during such a long season of 82 games plus all the practices we do, so it helps you out in the long run and I think guys really enjoy it.”
It also was announced recently that the NHL’s annual “Winter Classic,” held outdoors on Jan. 1, will take place at Wrigley Field with Keith’s Blackhawks facing off against the defending champion Detroit Red Wings.
“I got a lot of people talking to me about tickets already, and it’ll be fun and something we are all looking forward to,” Keith noted.
He’s no stranger to big outdoor games, having played in the “Cold War” in 2001 when his Michigan State University team faced off with the University of Michigan in front of nearly 75,000 fans at Spartan Stadium.
“Playing in front of that many fans was pretty overwhelming, and I can use that experience and take it into this one,” Keith said.
(Fort Frances Times)