For the past few years, the Blackhawks, like any other team, have been working toward a Stanley Cup. But in Chicago, there may be expectations to achieve even more. That’s thanks to the Blackhawks dynasty of the early 2010s, winning three championships in six seasons and cementing their legacy as one of the best groups to ever do it.
Those teams were full of superstars of the game, and one of the brightest was defenseman Duncan Keith. Once a second-round pick in the 2002 NHL Draft, Keith appeared in 1,192 games for the Blackhawks, becoming one of the greatest, if not the greatest, Chicago defensemen of all time. Among Blackhawks blueliners, he ranks first in games played, third in goals (105), second in assists (520), second in points (625), first in even-strength points (421), and second in short-handed points (20). He officially announced his retirement in the summer of 2022 after playing his final season with the Oilers.
As if the three Stanley Cups weren’t enough, on Monday, those efforts finally paid off. Keith was among eight members of the Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2025, joining alongside superstars like Zdeno Chara and Joe Thornton.
During his induction speech, Keith reflected on the people who helped shape his career. He opened by talking about his mother, who would take him to practice as a young boy before heading to her 12-hour shifts at a nursing home. He grew emotional while thanking Trent Yawney, his first coach with the Blackhawks, and shared the joy of being part of such a successful Chicago team.
He didn’t forget anyone, extending gratitude to coaches, teammates, and executives in Chicago and Edmonton. But the most heartfelt moment came at the end, when Keith turned his attention to his son, Colton, as part of a real tear-jerker.
“These days, my favorite hockey moments are with my son, Colton, and his teammates back home in Penticton (British Columbia). The road trips, the tournaments, the early mornings. Seeing the game through his eyes has reminded me what this sport is really about: joy, connection and being a part of a team that’s bigger than yourself.”
– Duncan Keith
He closed by thanking his family, fans, and everyone who lifted him along the way.
“You can’t chase a dream alone. You don’t lift a Cup or wear a gold medal on your own. You lift it with everybody that ever lifted you.”
– Duncan Keith
