Chicago Blackhawks’ three-time Stanley Cup champion defenseman Duncan Keith was one of six players inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class on Monday night.
Keith, a two-time Norris Trophy winner, spent 16 seasons with the Blackhawks, and his 1,192 games played are second only to Stan Mikita (1,396) in franchise history. Keith won two Gold Medals in 2010 and 2014 while representing Team Canada at the Olympic Games, and he also won the Conn Smyth Trophy for Playoff MVP with the Blackhawks in 2015.
One of the most accomplished defensemen in the modern era, Keith hit the stage to be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame and received his Hall of Fame plaque from Rob Blake, a member of the 2014 class.
Then, it was time for some tears. Keith delivered an 11-minute, Hall-of-Fame caliber speech, where he wound through the many memories of his playing career. He thanked his parents, his first NHL head coach, Trent Yawney, the Wirtz family, all his Blackhawks teammates, and many others for believing in him and helping him live out his dreams.
Keith also talked about how special it was to play for the Blackhawks and make incredible life-long friendships along the way to three Stanley Cup championships.
Here’s Keith’s full, tear-jerking speech from Monday night. It’s absolutely worth the full 11-minute listen.
Two of Keith’s best friends and fellow Blackhawks three-time Stanley Cup champions, Patrick Sharp and Brent Seabrook, were both in attendance for his Hall of Fame induction. Keith said one of his favorite highlights of his career was him and Seabrook becoming the first defensive duo in NHL history to play 1,000 games together. He also mentioned the frequent postgame hangouts in either Seabrook’s or Sharp’s hotel room, where they would eat chicken fingers, drink Diet Cokes, and talk about hockey until the wee hours of the night.
Keith went on to talk about how his favorite hockey moments these days are with his son, Colton, and his teammates back home in Penticton, British Columbia. He said that’s helped remind him of what the sport is really about: joy, connection, and being a part of a team that’s bigger than yourself.
After thanking his brother Cam, his sister Rebecca, Colton, and all the fans, Keith wrapped up his speech by saying how his best memory is all the relationships he built, thanks to the game of hockey.
“But the greatest wasn’t the win or the banners, it was the people. The teammates who became brothers, coaches who believed in me, trainers who kept us healthy, family who stood behind me through the ups and downs, because that’s what this game gives you. People you go to battle with, people who become family.”
“That’s why hockey will always be the ultimate team game. You can’t chase a dream alone, and you don’t lift a cup or wear a gold medal on your own. You lift it with everybody that’s ever lifted you. To everybody who ever lifted me up, thank you for being my team. I will carry you with me for the rest of my life.”
Well said, Duncs. Congratulations to one of the greatest players in the 100 years of Blackhawks history on being part of the 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame induction class. Chicago will FOREVER run on Duncan.
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