Early Days and a WCHL Legacy

Born in 1895, Keats began his professional career at the tender age of 14, playing semi-professionally in the Cobalt Mining League. His journey continued with the Toronto Blueshirts of the National Hockey Association (NHA) before taking a break to fight in World War I. Upon his return, he joined the Edmonton Eskimos of the Western Canada Hockey League (WCHL) in 1919. This marked the beginning of a dominant era for Keats.

A Star in the West

For the next five seasons, Keats established himself as a force in the WCHL. He was a complete player, excelling at both offense and defense. His leadership qualities were evident, earning him the captaincy of the Eskimos. Keats led the league in scoring on multiple occasions and was a fixture on WCHL All-Star teams. He helped guide the Eskimos to the league finals in 1923, showcasing his competitive spirit and clutch play.

The NHL and a Brief, Impactful Stint

Despite his dominance in the WCHL, Keats' arrival in the NHL at the age of 31 was relatively late. He played for the Boston Bruins, Detroit Cougars, and Chicago Black Hawks between 1926 and 1929. Though his time in the league was brief, Keats left his mark. He was known for his strong work ethic, leadership qualities, and ability to elevate the play of his teammates. He even recorded the first hat trick in Detroit Cougars franchise history.

Duke Keats played for Toronto Blueshirts of the National Hockey Association, Edmonton Eskimos of the Western Canada Hockey League, and the Boston Bruins, Detroit Cougars and Chicago Black Hawks of the NHL. He is in the Hockey Hall of Fame.