Duncan Keith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Duncan Keith
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2025
Keith with the Chicago Blackhawks in December 2014
Born	(1983-07-16) July 16, 1983 (age 42) Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	192 lb (87 kg; 13 st 10 lb)
Position	Defence
Shot	Left
Played for	Chicago Blackhawks Edmonton Oilers
National team	Canada
NHL Draft	54th overall, 2002 Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career	2003–2022
Website	DuncanKeith.com

Duncan Keith (born July 16, 1983) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He was a defenceman, which means he played a defensive role on the ice. Duncan Keith played for 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Edmonton Oilers.

Keith won three Stanley Cup championships with the Chicago Blackhawks. These wins were in 2010, 2013, and 2015. In 2017, he was recognized as one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players ever. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025.

After his first year at Michigan State University, Keith was chosen by the Blackhawks in the 2002 NHL Draft. He then played in the American Hockey League (AHL) for two seasons. In 2005–06, he started his NHL career with the Blackhawks. He later won the James Norris Memorial Trophy twice, which is given to the NHL's best defenceman. He also won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2015 as the most valuable player in the playoffs.

Duncan Keith was known as a "two-way defenceman." This means he was great at both defending and helping score goals. He also won two gold medals with Team Canada. These were at the 2010 Vancouver and 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

Early Life and Hockey Beginnings

Duncan Keith was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is the middle child of Dave and Jean Keith. His family moved to Fort Frances, Ontario, in 1985. His father worked at a bank, and his mother worked in healthcare.

Keith grew up cheering for the Boston Bruins. His favorite players were Ray Bourque and Cam Neely, along with Wayne Gretzky. He started playing minor hockey in Fort Frances. He began as a forward but switched to defence around age eight or nine.

When Keith was 15, his family moved to Penticton, British Columbia. He finished his minor hockey there. He then joined the Penticton Panthers, a Junior A team, when he was 16.

Playing Career Highlights

Junior and College Hockey

Keith played three years for the Penticton Panthers. He scored 78 goals and made 148 assists in 163 games. He then went to Michigan State University to play college hockey. He scored a goal in his very first game for the Spartans. This game was played outdoors and set a record for attendance.

During his second college season, Keith left Michigan State. He joined the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He had a great season there, scoring 46 points in 37 games.

Professional Career with Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks picked Duncan Keith in the 2002 NHL Draft. He signed with them in 2003. For his first two professional seasons, he played in the American Hockey League (AHL) for the Norfolk Admirals.

Keith joined the Blackhawks in the 2005–06 season. He played his first NHL game on October 5, 2005. He quickly became an important player, scoring 21 points in 81 games. The Blackhawks gave him a four-year contract extension.

In the 2007–08 season, Keith played even more. He was chosen for his first NHL All-Star Game. He finished the season with 32 points and a strong plus-minus rating.

In October 2008, Keith was named an alternate captain. He helped the Blackhawks reach the Stanley Cup playoffs again. They made it to the Western Conference Finals in 2009.

Keith's offense improved a lot in the 2009–10 season. He signed a long-term contract with the Blackhawks. He finished the season with 69 points, which was second among all defencemen in the league. This was the highest point total for a Blackhawks defenceman since 1996.

During the 2010 playoffs, Keith had seven teeth knocked out by a puck. But he returned to the game quickly! The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup that year, their first since 1961. Keith was later awarded the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenceman.

In 2012, Keith was suspended for five games for hitting a player in the head. In 2013, he was suspended for one game for slashing an opponent. Despite this, Keith and the Blackhawks won their second Stanley Cup in 2013.

In the 2013–14 season, Keith had 61 points. He also won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. After the season, he won his second Norris Trophy.

Keith with the Conn Smythe Trophy in June 2015.

On June 15, 2015, Keith won his third Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks. He was named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner as the most valuable player of the playoffs. He scored the winning goal in the final game.

In 2016, Keith was suspended for six games for hitting a player with his stick. On December 11, 2018, Keith and his teammate Brent Seabrook became the first pair of defencemen to play 1,000 games together.

Time with the Edmonton Oilers

In July 2021, Duncan Keith was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. He had asked for a trade to be closer to his family in British Columbia. He had played 16 seasons with the Blackhawks. Keith was known for leading the Blackhawks in ice time for every season he played.

Despite some debate about the trade, Keith played well for the Oilers. He recorded 21 points in 64 games during the 2021–22 season. He often played with Evan Bouchard, who said Keith was a great mentor. The Oilers made it to the playoffs and reached the Western Conference Finals.

Duncan Keith officially announced his retirement from playing hockey on July 12, 2022.

Post-Playing Career

After retiring as a player, the Edmonton Oilers hired Keith. On October 14, 2022, he became a player development consultant for the team. This means he helps younger players improve their skills.

International Play for Canada

Keith playing for Team Canada in 2012
Medal record
Representing  Canada
Ice hockey
Winter Olympics
Gold	2010 Vancouver
Gold	2014 Sochi
World Championships
Silver	2008 Canada

Keith first played for Team Canada at the 2008 IIHF World Championship. Canada won a silver medal that year.

On December 30, 2009, Keith was chosen to play for Canada at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. He won a gold medal with Team Canada, beating the United States in the final game. This was his first international gold medal.

Keith also played on Canada's gold medal-winning team at the Ice hockey at the 2014 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament in Sochi.

Personal Life

Duncan Keith has one son, who was born on May 8, 2013.

On February 25, 2014, Keith and his teammate Brent Seabrook appeared on the TV show Chicago Fire.

Career Statistics

Regular Season and Playoffs

Bold indicates led league

International Play Statistics

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2000	Canada Pacific	U17			6	1	3	4	0
2008	Canada	WC			9	0	2	2	6
2010	Canada	OG			7	0	6	6	2
2012	Canada	WC	5th		8	1	10	11	0
2014	Canada	OG			6	0	1	1	4
Junior totals					6	1	3	4	0
Senior totals					30	1	19	20	12

Awards and Achievements

Images for kids

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  Keith with the Blackhawks in February 2011. He was an alternate captain for the team until 2021.