Mike Keane
A three-time Stanley Cup champion who played half a season with the New York Rangers before being traded to Dallas.
Michael John Keane is a Canadian former professional ice hockey winger born on May 29, 1967. Undrafted out of junior hockey, he signed as a free agent with the Montreal Canadiens on September 25, 1985, before starting his NHL career in 1988. Over a span from 1988 until 2004, Keane played more than 1,100 games in the National Hockey League. A three-time Stanley Cup champion, he won titles with the Montreal Canadiens in 1993, the Colorado Avalanche in 1996, and the Dallas Stars in 1999. After his NHL tenure, he returned to his hometown Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League for five seasons before retiring in 2010.
- Birth Date
- May 29, 1967
- NHL Debut Year
- 1988
- Total NHL Games
- Over 1,100
- Stanley Cup Wins
- 3 (1993, 1996, 1999)
- Montreal Captaincy
- April 1995 to December 1995
- Moose Tenure
- 2005–2010
- Jersey Retired
- February 12, 2011
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Keane's time with the Montreal Canadiens was marked by both triumph and controversy. After helping the team secure the 1993 Stanley Cup in his fifth NHL season, he served as captain from April 1995 to December 1995, becoming the 24th captain of the franchise following Kirk Muller's trade. His leadership was tested when he sparked a media firestorm after speaking to Mathias Brunet of La Presse. Keane declared he had no intention of learning French, arguing it was unnecessary since most players on the team spoke predominantly English. This stance drew significant scrutiny from the French media during his tenure in Montreal.
In Their Own Story
The trajectory of Keane's career shifted dramatically during the 1995–96 NHL season when he was traded alongside Patrick Roy to the Colorado Avalanche. In exchange, the Canadiens received Jocelyn Thibault, Andrei Kovalenko, and Martin Ručinský. This move proved pivotal as Keane won his second Stanley Cup that same season, helping the Avalanche defeat the Florida Panthers in four games in the Final. His journey continued when he became a free agent in the summer of 1997, signing with the New York Rangers. However, his stay was brief; he played only half a season before being traded to the Dallas Stars along with Brian Skrudland and the Rangers' 1998 6th round draft choice (Pavel Patera). The Stars sent Todd Harvey, Bob Errey, and their 1998 4th round draft choice (Boyd Kane) to New York in return. Keane played for Dallas until 2000–01, securing his third Stanley Cup in 1999 and returning to the finals the following year.
Reader's Guide
Keane's path back to Manitoba began after the 2004–05 lockout when he signed with his hometown team, the Manitoba Moose, for the 2005–06 AHL season. He served as the team's captain from 2005 until July 20, 2010, when his contract was not renewed after five seasons. During this time, he also captained the AHL All-Star Team Canada in 2007. His legacy with the Moose was cemented on February 12, 2011, when the team retired his number 12 jersey against the San Antonio Rampage at Bell MTS Place, making it the first number ever retired in Manitoba Moose history. Before his professional career, Keane played junior hockey for the Winnipeg South Blues in the MJHL and the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL.
Did You Know?
- Keane was undrafted and signed as a free agent with the Montreal Canadiens on September 25, 1985.
- He was the 24th captain in Montreal Canadiens history, serving from April to December 1995.
- In 1996, he was traded alongside Hall of Famer Patrick Roy to the Colorado Avalanche.
- His number 12 jersey was the first ever retired by the Manitoba Moose on February 12, 2011.
- As a junior player for Team Canada at the 1987 World Junior Championships, he was part of both teams disqualified during the infamous Punch-up in Piestany.