Former Canucks Defenseman Ends Brief Retirement, Signs New Contract For 2025-26 Season
Photo credit: CBC
A former defenseman in the Vancouver Canucks organization has ended his brief retirement after a month and has signed a new contract for the 2025-26 season.
The 19 months have been tough for former Abbotsford Canucks defenseman Brady Keeper as he hasn't suited up in a professional hockey game since January of 2024 when he was a member of the Laval Rocket, Montreal's AHL affiliate.
Keeper was expected to play in Slovakia last season, signing a signing a one-year deal in summer 2024 with HK Poprad, but due to family reasons, as the team said, the blueliner never suited up for the club.
With Keeper wanting to continue his career, earlier this summer, he put pen-to-paper on a contract with Scottish side Glasgow Clan, who play in the top division of British hockey - the EIHL, however, he never ended up playing for the club after making a big decision about his future about a little over a month ago.
Former Canucks defenseman ends brief retirement, signs in the ECHL for 2025-26 season
At the beginning of August, Keeper decided to announce his retirement from professional hockey due to lingering issues from a leg injury he sustained a few years ago.
"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 2022-2023 season.
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. In my heart, I still want to play. But my body is no longer allowing me to." Keeper said.
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. In my heart, I still want to play. But my body is no longer allowing me to." Keeper said.
Just over a month after Keeper made that difficult decision, he's decided to return to professional hockey as the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays announced that they've agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Cross Lake, Manitoba native.
"Brady brings a tremendous amount of experience to our team, having played at both the NHL and AHL levels throughout his career. I've had some great conversations with him about the role he'll play for us, and it's clear he's committed to helping us win here in Charleston. After taking some time away from the game, Brady is eager to get back on the ice and make an impact. He's a valuable addition, and we believe he'll play an important role in our success this season." Stingrays Head Coach David Warsofsky said.
Keeper, 29, signed with the Vancouver Canucks for two-years in the summer of 2021, but missed the entire '21-22 campaign due to that aforementioned leg injury.
The following season, he suited up in 35 games for the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks where he had six points (one goal, five assists), 35 penalty minutes and had an even-rating.
Source: South Carolina Stingrays
STINGRAYS ADD FORMER NHL DEFENSEMAN BRADY KEEPER FOR 2025-26 SEASON
STINGRAYS ADD FORMER NHL DEFENSEMAN BRADY KEEPER FOR 2025-26 SEASON
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 11 | 624 ANSWERS Former Canucks Defenseman Ends Brief Retirement, Signs New Contract For 2025-26 Season Do you think the ECHL is the right spot for Brady Keeper after over a year absence from professional hockey? | ||
| Yes | 437 | 70 % |
| No, should've signed in the AHL or go to Europe | 187 | 30 % |
| List of polls | ||
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