Duncan Keith
Duncan Keith was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and played for the Penticton Panthers of the BCHL to start his hockey career. He scored 82 points in 60 regular season games with them and then moved on to play with Michigan State University in 2001-2002. Keith saw his production falter with Michigan State and went to play for the WHL Kelowna Rockets in 2002-2003. He produced over a point per game with the Rockets, finishing 37 regular season games with 46 points. Keith also got some playoff experience with the Rockets and notched 14 points in 19 playoff games. He was drafted in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, 54th overall, by the Chicago Blackhawks. Keith then played for the Norfolk Admirals in the AHL for the next two seasons, including the NHL lockout season. He produced just over 25 points both seasons, despite playing nearly 80 games both seasons. Keith played with Chicago after the NHL lockout, debuting in the 2005-2006 NHL season with 21 points in 81 regular season games. He followed up with 2006-2007, finishing that year with 31 points in 82 games with two goals. Keith is a gifted defenseman, but he has a lack of size that makes it easier for opposing players to push him around. He needs to bulk up a bit more to compete more at the top level. Keith has shown flashes of offensive brilliance and will benefit from translating that gift to the NHL.
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