Duncan Keith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Duncan Keith
Keith with the Chicago Blackhawks in December 2014
Born	(1983-07-16) July 16, 1983 (age 41) 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 played for 17 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Chicago Blackhawks and the Edmonton Oilers.

He won three Stanley Cup championships with the Blackhawks. These wins were in 2010, 2013, and 2015. In 2017, Duncan Keith was named one of the "100 Greatest NHL Players" of all time.

After his first year at Michigan State University, the Chicago Blackhawks picked him in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He played in the minor leagues before joining the Blackhawks in 2005–06. Four years later, he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy. This award goes to the NHL's best defenceman. He won the Norris Trophy again in 2014. In 2015, he also won the Conn Smythe Trophy. This award is for the most valuable player in the 2015 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Duncan Keith was known as a "two-way defenceman." This means he was good at both defending and helping with offense. He also won two gold medals playing for Team Canada. He played in the 2010 Vancouver and 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

Early Life and Hockey Start

Duncan Keith was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is the middle child of Dave and Jean Keith. He has an older brother named Cameron and a younger sister named Rebecca. When Duncan was young, his family moved to Fort Frances, Ontario. His father worked at a bank there.

Duncan grew up loving the Boston Bruins. His favorite players were Ray Bourque and Cam Neely. He also admired Wayne Gretzky. Duncan started playing minor hockey in Fort Frances. He first played as a forward. But when he was eight or nine, he switched to playing defence.

When Duncan was 15, his family moved to Penticton, British Columbia. He finished his minor hockey there. Then, at 16, he joined the Penticton Panthers. This was a Junior A team in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL).

Playing Career Highlights

College and Junior Hockey

Duncan played for the Penticton Panthers for three years. He scored many points during his time there. Later, he went to Michigan State University to play college hockey. He played for the Michigan State Spartans. He even scored a goal in his very first game!

During his second year of college, Duncan decided to join a major junior team. He went back to British Columbia to play for the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He had a great season with the Rockets.

Joining the NHL: Chicago Blackhawks (2005–2021)

The Chicago Blackhawks picked Duncan Keith in the 2002 NHL Draft. Before playing in the NHL, he spent two seasons with the Norfolk Admirals. This team was part of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Duncan made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks in October 2005. He quickly became an important player. He scored 9 goals and 12 assists in his first season. He also played a lot of minutes on the ice. The Blackhawks gave him a four-year contract extension.

In the 2007–08 season, Duncan played even more. He became a key part of the team's defense. He was chosen for his first NHL All-Star Game in 2008. He finished that season with 12 goals and 20 assists.

In October 2008, Duncan was named an alternate captain. He helped the Blackhawks reach the Stanley Cup playoffs again. The team had young stars like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane. They made it to the Western Conference Finals.

Duncan Keith playing for the Blackhawks in 2011. He was an alternate captain for many years.

Duncan Keith became even better in the 2009–10 season. He scored 14 goals and 55 assists, which was a lot for a defenceman. He signed a big 13-year contract with the Blackhawks. This was the biggest contract in team history at the time.

The Blackhawks made it to the 2010 playoffs. They played very well and reached the Stanley Cup Finals. During the playoffs, Duncan lost seven teeth after being hit by a puck. But he returned to the game quickly! The Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, their first since 1961. Duncan was a huge part of their success. After the season, he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenceman.

In the 2010–11 season, the Blackhawks barely made the playoffs. They lost in the first round. In 2012, Duncan was suspended for five games. This was for an elbow to the head of an opposing player.

Duncan Keith with the Conn Smythe Trophy in June 2015.

In 2013, Duncan was suspended for one game for hitting an opponent with his stick. After that, the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup again! They beat the Boston Bruins in six games. Duncan helped set up a key goal in the final game.

In the next season, Duncan had another great year. He won a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. He also won his second Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenceman.

On June 15, 2015, Duncan won his third Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks. His amazing play in the 2015 playoffs earned him the Conn Smythe Trophy. This award is for the playoff MVP. He even scored the winning goal in the final game!

In 2016, Duncan was suspended for hitting an opponent with his stick. This caused him to miss some games. On December 11, 2018, Duncan and his teammate Brent Seabrook made history. They became the first pair of defencemen to play 1,000 games together.

Edmonton Oilers (2021–2022)

In 2021, Duncan Keith asked to be traded to a team closer to his family in British Columbia. On July 12, he was traded to the Edmonton Oilers. He had played 16 seasons with the Blackhawks. He was second in games played and points for a Blackhawks defenceman.

Duncan played well in his first season with the Oilers. He helped mentor younger players. The Oilers made it to the 2022 playoffs. They won two rounds before losing to the eventual champions.

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

Post-Playing Career

After retiring, Duncan Keith joined the Edmonton Oilers again. On October 14, 2022, he was hired as a player development consultant. This means he helps young players improve their skills.

International Play

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

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

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

Duncan also played for 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 in May 2013.

In 2014, Duncan and his teammate Brent Seabrook appeared on the TV show Chicago Fire.

Awards and Achievements

Images for kids

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  Duncan Keith playing for Team Canada in 2012.