Latest news with #BradyKeeper
Winnipeg Free Press
07-08-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Keeper hangs up skates on historic career
The pride of Cross Lake has officially retired from professional hockey. Defenceman Brady Keeper announced Tuesday he was hanging up his skates, explaining in a social media post on Instagram Wednesday his decision was made over a lingering injury. 'Back in the 2021-2022 season, I broke my tibia and fibula while in Vancouver. After a long year of rehab during that season and throughout the summer, I was able to come back and play in the 2022-23 season,' Keeper wrote, referencing the time he spent with the Canucks organization. 'But to be honest, my leg never felt the same. Even with continued rehab, the pain remained. The metal rod that was inserted into my knee to stabilize the bone and make it stronger has caused ongoing pain ever since. It's been a constant battle — not just physically, but mentally as well.' Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Cross Lake's Brady Keeper made his NHL debut with the Florida Panthers in March of 2019. Keeper added that he wished he could continue to play hockey, but his body was preventing him from being able to play professionally. In fact, Keeper had signed with the Glasgow Clan of the Elite Ice Hockey League based in the U.K. in June, marking what would have been his return to the game after the lower-body injury brought his NHL career with the Canucks to an end. In a statement Wednesday, Clan head coach and Oromocto, N.B.-native Corey Neilson said the news was disappointing, 'however, Brady needs to do what's best for his health, and that means allowing him to step away from the game.' Neilson added the club respects Keeper's decision 'and wish him nothing but the best.' The Glasgow club itself thanked Keeper for his professionalism and wished him 'a full and healthy recovery as he moves forward into the next chapter of his life.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Keeper, having gone undrafted, made waves in 2019 when he signed with the Florida Panthers. With the deal, the defenceman became the first hockey player from Cross Lake to play in the NHL. MELISSA MARTIN / FREE PRESS FILES Brady Keeper received a hero's welcome from his hometown crowd in Cross Lake in April 2019 after his first season with the Florida Panthers, including a parade. He made his NHL debut on March 28, 2019, against the Ottawa Senators. In April of that year, Keeper received a hero's welcome from his hometown crowd in Cross Lake, complete with a parade after his first season playing with the Panthers. Keeper made his Stanley Cup playoffs debut in the qualifying round of the 2020 Edmonton bubble, playing Aug. 4 of that year. He last skated for the Panthers in the 2020-21 season before being picked up by the Vancouver Canucks as an unrestricted free agent, signing a two-year, US$1.525 million contract. It was in training camp with the Canucks that Keeper broke his tibia and fibula in his left leg. He spent the remainder of his time with the franchise's AHL affiliate Abbotsford Canucks. In 2023, Keeper signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Montreal Canadiens and was ultimately assigned to the Canadiens' AHL affiliate, the Laval Rocket.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Panther Signs With Scottish Club
Canadian defenseman Brady Keeper, 29, has signed a one-year contract with the Glasgow Clan, the Scottish-based EIHL club announced on Tuesday. 'Happy to be getting the opportunity to play and I can't wait to get the games going,' Keeper is quoted in the club's announcement. 'Super excited to see the rink packed and loud.' Advertisement A one-time NHLer, injuries have forced Keeper to miss two of the last four seasons completely, limiting him to just 59 competitive games in that time frame. 'Brady is a rugged defensive defenseman who skates well and is highly competitive,' said Glasgow coach Corey Neilson. 'He enjoys confrontation, blocking shots and winning. He's had some unlucky seasons of late with injuries and is excited to get back to playing at a high level.' Born in Cross Lake, Man., Keeper played junior hockey for the OCN Blizzard of the MJHL and played two years of college hockey for the University of Maine Black Bears. Undrafted, Keeper signed as a free agent with the Florida Panthers in the spring of 2019 and played one of his three NHL games right away. He spent the following two seasons in the Florida organization, playing in a playoff game in the 2020 Eastern Conference bubble in Toronto and another regular-season game in 2021. Anton Lundmark 'Shocked' By Panthers' Contract Offer Anton Lundmark 'Shocked' By Panthers' Contract Offer Two years ago, Anton Lundmark was playing in a semi-professional regional league in the third tier of Swedish hockey. This season, at age 23, he made his SHL debut with Timrå IK, where he scored five goals, had four assists and zero (!) penalty minutes in 53 regular-season and playoff games. Advertisement Keeper signed as a free agent with the Vancouver Canucks but broke two bones in his leg during the pre-season and missed the entire 2021-22 season. He spent the following two seasons with the AHL affiliates of the Canucks and Montreal Canadiens but did not play another NHL game. Last summer, Keeper signed with HK Poprad of the Slovak Extraliga but he did not appear in any games for the club. In November, the club reportedly stated, 'He has a valid contract in Europe with HK Poprad for this season, although he is currently not receiving a salary due to non-fulfillment of the contract. If family reasons finally allow him to come, he is welcome in the team.' Last season, Glasgow finished seventh in the 10-team EIHL. The club seems determined to improve its standing this season, having already signed Finnish goaltender Sami Aittokallio, a former Colorado Avalanche prospect. The team also has British national team players Robert Lachowicz and Cade Neilson. Photo © David Kirouac-Imagn Images: Brady Keeper playing for the Montreal Canadiens in the 2023 pre-season. Finnish Ex-Avalanche Goalie Signs In Scotland Finnish Ex-Avalanche Goalie Signs In Scotland Finnish goaltender Sami Aittokallio, 32, has signed a one-year contract with the Glasgow Clan, the Scottish-based EIHL club announced on Thursday.
